Representation Through Cultural Clubs

by Enna Hosoi

Some clubs have made very large impacts on the school dynamic, and several members of the senior class are leaving a legacy at the school through the representation of their clubs. 

Seniors Sharlize Moayedi and Damon Pourmohsen started their club, MESU, earlier this year in October.

“MESU was created to provide a safe environment for students of Middle Eastern descent, as well as to educate students on campus about Middle Eastern issues,” Pourmohsen said. 

According to Pourmohsen, many Middle Eastern students across the country struggle with ideas of their heritage as Middle Easterners and sometimes “feel like they have to hide their identity.” Pourmohsen had a similar experience. 

“Growing up as an Iranian American and son of immigrants, at times I felt ashamed of the country in which I was from,” Pourmohsen said. “While everyone else had their Lunchables, I had traditional Iranian rice and stews in my lunchbox. People would make terrorist jokes and other racist remarks frequently.”

Another upside of the club is new interest in Middle Eastern culture. 

“MESU has made a major difference on campus,” Pourmohsen said. “Not only through the wonderful people that I have been able to meet through the club, but also random students coming up and asking me questions about Islam and the Middle East. It makes me happy to know students are taking interest in the Middle East.”

Seniors Alina Montalvan and Luka Ardón also started the Latin American Student Association during their junior year.

“We started the club to create an environment of inclusion for Latino students on campus, and it made an impact on campus especially because we are a part of the Human Rights Coalition which has also increased the number of members in our club,” Montalvan said. 

The club is very active on campus. For example, they contributed to the Food Fair earlier this year during Diversity Week. 

“We put on events and meetings to spread awareness of the presence of the Latino community on campus,” Montalvan said. 

Coloring Inspiration into Campus

by Olivia Kao

Many seniors have left behind impactful legacies, whether it is through leading and promoting ethnic clubs or student-led organizations. However, an overseen and more artistic form of leaving a positive impact on the school community lies in the hallways and on classroom doors.

Some seniors have creatively transformed the PVHS and PVIS campuses into canvases to leave behind their legacies before venturing into life beyond high school.

For senior Alexa Hirsch, classroom doors have opened up numerous opportunities to explore her passion of art while also being able to positively influence students and staff on campus.

“I was hooked on the creative flow that painting murals gave me and knew that I had found my passion and purpose,” Hirsch said. “[Murals] remind me of how much appreciation I have for the teachers and staff that have believed in me throughout my journey.” 

In addition to expressing gratitude towards teachers and staff, Hirsch hopes to brighten up peoples’ days with her artwork. 

“The doors have taught me that the greatest success and feelings of accomplishment comes from what you do for others,” she said. “Nothing beats the feeling of when my paintings bring a smile to someone’s face.”

Though not on PVHS’s campus, yet another impactful mural can be seen in the halls of PVIS. Senior Korinna Kuerten was asked to paint a meaningful and symbolic mural to inspire many young Sea Kings. 

“[Completing the mural] was especially challenging to create because I’ve never worked on large scale paintings before. Even though it was out of my comfort zone, I was able to stay committed and work through challenges, which then allowed me to have fun with it and be creative,” Kuerten said.  

Similar to Hirsch’s outlook on her art, Kuerten also wants to positively impact viewers. 

“I hope that my art can maintain the bond within our community, and [show] that students can be inspired to take on opportunities even if they seem difficult,” Kuerten said. “My mural emphasizes PVIS’s mascot of a ‘sea king’, which is demonstrated through the wave that is bigger and stands out against the rest.”