South boasts a myriad of clubs, and some are more popular than others. However there is one club that may fly under the radar despite its nearly 60 members, Hmong Student Organization (HSO). Lead by Seniors Dartagnan Her and Anastasia Herr, President and Vice President respectively, HSO organizes and participates in a variety of activities throughout the year.

1. What is your job as HSO (Vice) President?

Dartagnan Her: As the president of Hmong Student Organization (HSO) I have worked diligently to meet the needs of the club and members. This includes organizing school activities, and ranges from decorating to hosting activities whether they may be in or outside of school. Most importantly, as president of HSO I have strived to reach out to the community and actively participate in every event I can. Being president calls for actively planning activities, performing tasks efficiently, as well as being able to communicate effectively between members and our community. For example, as a part of our egg roll fundraiser I put in the time and effort to sell, make, as well as deliver the eggrolls personally. I didn’t expect it to take over 20 hours to make and deliver it, but as the president I made it happen because I put the organization before myself. While I may have been busy with work and academics, I never neglect my duties as president.

Anastasia Herr: As the Vice President of HSO, I’m in charge of creating, coordinating, and laying out the events that occur. I reach out to the community homes and businesses to set up opportunities for the organization to help the community. One could also say that I’ve a double job with being both a Vice President, as well as the organization’s treasurer. As the Vice President, it’s actually quite a lot of work as the President is more so reliant on me, however, it’s never stopped the success of each event.

2. How long have you been a member of HSO?

DH: I’ve been a member of HSO since my sophomore year, this is my third year participating.

AH: I have been an active member since I was a Freshman in high school.

3. What made you decide to join?

DH: I joined HSO because I felt that it was a welcoming organization. It isn’t welcoming simply because of the ethnicity of the majority of the group, but the people inside it that encouraged me to do more. It was nice to look up to my upperclassman at the time, and watched at what they succeeded in as well as failed at throughout their years of membership. In truth it was reassuring because it felt like I had become a part of a family and not just an organization.

AH: I’ve had numerous family members, as well as dance team members participate in this, and I figured “Why not?”. You could say it was the typical bandwagon effect. Ever since then, I’ve been an active member and am now Vice President.

4. What does the club do overall throughout the year?

DH: While the club performs numerous activities each year, there are certain activities that we find ourselves performing annually. A great example is the annual Sheboygan Hmong New Year. This is an activity that is pulled off by both South High, North High, and the Hmong community in Sheboygan. We often collaborate with North High School’s Hmong Leadership Council (Analogous to HSO) in decorating and setting up the Hmong New Year. Since the event is hosted at North High School every year, we commute all the way to the North side in order to make the event possible. Members spend hours painting large murals and setting up as well as cleaning up after the event is over. Aside from the Hmong New Year, both organizations from South and North throw a formal each year. It is tradition that the two schools alternate in throwing Winter or Spring formal each year. This an annual dance that the members of both organizations, or even the entire community can look forward to. The attendance of alumni is common because they reminisce on their old days of being a part of the club (although they’ve typically only been gone for less than a year). The club fundraises money throughout the school year in order to meet our financial needs. As I stated earlier, we organized an eggroll fundraiser and successfully sold over $1000 worth of eggrolls. For the most part, we work diligently to help members bond with one another and host potlucks so that members can grow closer. These are typically held outside of school, so we find a fit place for our event and work diligently to decorate and host the potlucks. This involves coming up with activities for members or guests that can get everybody involved. The organization also attends college visits together with North’s Hmong Leadership Council in order to promote education for students and inspire them to find their passion.

AH: HSO goes through an array of activities, such as volunteering out in the community (John Michael Kohler Art Center, Red Cross, Hmong Veteran’s weeks, Salvation Army Fundraisings, etc), performances at elementary schools to educate on the Hmong culture (Hmong dancing & Qeej performances), college tours, and the biggest hit – Hmong New Year. Aside from community volunteering, the organization also hosts a yearly event – Formal. This year was a Hollywood themed formal held at the Emil Mazey Hall. We also host monthly potlucks to bring the group together and have an relaxing hangout together. At the end of the year, there is normally a Senior Banquet or end-of-the-year barbecue grill out, just as a last “goodbye” to our seniors.

5. What is your favorite part of HSO?

DH: My favorite part about being a part of this organization is the fact that I know every one of my members–I’ve gotten the opportunity to be the head of an amazing group of people. I get to interact with a variety of people, and I find our collaboration with North High’s Hmong Leadership Councilship to be a great opportunity to broaden my horizons as well. Being a part of this organization doesn’t restrict me to South High School, it allows me to interact with North High and even the entire community.

AH: I’d honestly have to say show performances on the background of my culture. I have a passion for dancing, and I’m a Hmong dancer. Often times, if not all, there are Hmong dances to not only tell a story but show the culture’s traditional apparel. However, aside from show tours, I’d also have to consider the familiarity and comfortableness between everyone is one of the best things about HSO. The intimacy and close kinship between each other is what I reckon to be the best. Though we may not be family by blood, anyone and everyone in HSO is family.

6. How has the organization grown/changed since you joined?

DH: It wasn’t easy for the Hmong Student Organization to continue on. It was only a few years ago when the group considered disbanding. At that time I was not on the executive board and had little power to dictate what the final decision would be. Luckily, we managed to keep the organization running, and years later I have found myself on that very executive board. The organization survived because other members stepped up to the responsibility of keeping it alive. In the recent years, student involvement has decreased and even members begin to show up periodically. However, as the president of HSO this year I have tried my hardest to keep all members actively involved and host activities that can include everyone and even those not within the group.

AH: Ever since the year of 2014, I’d say it’s grown quite a bit. From a group of 20 members to nearly 60, it’s definitely had its ups and downs. HSO has been able to take part in and reach out more to the community. Not only has HSO grown from extending itself to the community, but internally, as a group we’ve become more so as one.

7. What would you say to a student who is interested in joining HSO but isn’t sure if it’s right for them?

DH: The Hmong Student Organization doesn’t set requirements for its members. We are an open group that accepts anyone, regardless of who they may be (including ethnicity). It’s been a misconception that one has to be of the Hmong ethnicity to join the organization, however, it is open to the public as any organization should be. For students who are unsure of the decision to join, you won’t know if it’s right for you unless you try. We try our best to make the organization extremely welcoming and love to include all our members in our activities. Regardless of your personal background, I could easily recommend anyone to join if they are open to new experiences.

AH: You know never if you don’t take the risk. Sometimes, just take the jump. The name “Hmong Student Organization” is a tad bit over-rated. Not all our members of of Asian decent, and I feel that is what puts off many students to join. It’s been a continuous work in progress to make a change to the name, and I’m sure it’ll happen someday. But don’t let that stop you from joining. HSO is a great way to reach out to the community, build leadership skills, to collaborate, and to just have fun.