University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Gung hoy fat choy! Miaomiao Chen, olong with the Rolling .omps dance group stunned the audience of the Chinese itudents and Scholars Association ' s Annual Culture Night with i traditional Chinese acrobatic act. The event took place during he multiple days of Chinese New Year celebrations, ' rofoorap ierf by Uyen Oinh, Daily Brain. I am American. This is the answer that most people will give when you ask them who they are. Over the years, the United States has functioned as a melting pot where many cultures come together and are made into one: American. Implicated in this is a loss of identity, as ethnic groups attempt to maintain a strong heritage repeatedly threatened by American cultural imperialism. The same can be said of UCLA, where cultural groups play a crucial role in promoting awareness and bolstering a sense of identity. In an effort to educate other students, show their cultural pride, and promote their culture to others, many of these clubs put together culture nights in the spring. The Nikkei Student Union ' s Cultural Night has historical importance. Originating in 1986, it commemorated President Franklin D. Roosevelt ' s signing of Executive Order 9066, which forced about 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans into concentration camps across the nation during World War II. Tracy Ohara, a fourth year biology student, explained that the importance is not only to educate everyone about the injustice in the past, but to celebrate our heritage and to bring up the issues we are facing today. The performance showcased odori - a traditional Japanese dance - and traditional Japanese drumming, performed by UCLA ' s Kyodo Taiko. In May, the United Cambodian Students club held their annual Cambodian Culture Show. Open to everyone, its theme this year was Identity Crisis. It featured a story of how most Cambodians go through life. It ' s about trying to understand your culture and about going back to your roots, explained Seng Peng, a first year international development studies student. Raza, a group that incorporates all the Latino sororities, fraternities and clubs, had its very first culture night this past year. They wanted to have something to represent the Latino students. As it is, we are underrepresented on campus, said Jessica Cervantes, a first year sociology and Spanish student. The effort was headed by the Latin American Student Association (LASA) and combined music, performances, dance and acting from all the different Latino cultures. In a time and place where more and more people think of themselves first and foremost as Americans, cultural groups are crucial in helping Bruins immortalize the rich traditions and cultures of a past so easily forgotten. by Stefan ie Wfong events 1 7

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honoring celebration, representation and identity The VietNomese Language and Culture Club worked in conjunction with the Vietnamese Student Union to put on a Vietnamese New Year celebration on February 8, 2004. The Tet festival welcomed spring with hours of entertainment including martial arts, singing, o fashion show, traditional Vietnamese instrumental music and o skit. Photographed by Jennifer Richardson. ] 6 The Chinese Students and Scholars Association ' s Annual Culture Night was just one of me highlights amidst multiple days of Chinese New Year celebrations. Post-doctorate Wen Lin practiced with second year pharmacology graduates Jing Zhao and Fuqu Yu to make this year ' s show a presentation of perfection. Photographed by Uyen Dinh, Daily Bruin. te : ' : , = - - ::

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After spending some time on campus, most homesick Bruins hit the jam-packed roads in an effort to return home. Students loved going back to the carefree life where clean laundry and a hefty allowance awaited them. UCLA Homecoming 2003 was a different story. Themed Luck Be a Bruin Tonight, it brought students and parents together onto campus. During Parents Week, activities such as Bruin Family BBQ gave parents and students some quality time together as they anxiously awaited the big game. The Bruins and their mama and papa bears were not the only participants. B-list celebrities and people who enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame on TV - from Disney Channel ' s Nick Spano of Even Stevens, to third-place American Idol, Kimberly Locke - were also present. The microphone was held by UCLA alum JD Walsh, known for his work on the comedy show Ultimate Improv. The 2003 Homecoming marked the 70th anniversary of the famed and tumultuous tradition that began in 1927. The event had to be suspended twice due to the politically active climate of UCLA during the 1960 ' s and once again in 1996. Despite the large turnout rate for this year ' s festivities, some of the students ignored the hype and glamour of the parade for a more relaxed atmosphere with friends and the Bruin family. We knew Westwood was packed so we stayed in and let the festivities come to us, said Patrick Nihipali, a second year European studies student. Liquid bread for everyone, he added with a sly grin. UCLA school spirit isn ' t just an event; it ' s an attitude that carries with me all the time. Homecoming was a great way to embody this attitude, and it ' s sweet that we trounced Arizona, said Ayuko Iverson, a third year microbiology student. There was no shame that weekend, as UCLA Bruins came home triumphant with a score of 20-13. by Jimmy bori Members of die cheer squad sit atop o fire engine during the homecoming parade. Students planned for months in advance in preparation for the homecoming tradition, which was revived in a Las Vegas theme for this year. Photographed by Jonathan Hornish. ] B