Two re-emerging cultural clubs navigate setbacks as they bring culture to life at Culture Night 2025
From not having enough students to perform to not having the costumes arrive on time, Ariyana Milad and Thal Su Myo said the challenges they faced during their preparation for Culture Night taught them valuable lessons about trusting God. Myo said their performance went well because they held on and prayed.
Setbacks and trusting the Lord
One of the setbacks the Golden Mecca Club faced was the delayed order of their costumes from Amazon, said Milad, a senior double majoring in health and human science and vocal performance from Canada and the Golden Mecca Club president. “They were supposed to arrive a week before Culture Night, but they didn't. It miraculously arrived Friday afternoon, hours before the performance,” she said.
Despite the setback, Milad said she still believes in divine help and intervention, especially in times of need. Milad also said India Club let them use some of their costumes as well.
Myo, a sophomore majoring in business management from Myanmar and the Myanmar Club president, said they didn’t have anyone to bring their traditional clothes from Myanmar to Hawaii. Eventually they found someone who brought the clothes to them before Culture Night, she said. “It was God who helped their club with these setbacks,” she continued.
“Trusting the Lord and yourself is an experience to learn as a leader,” said Myo. She said she needed to make hard decisions for the best of everyone. “Making decisions in a club could impact a lot of people, so you have to learn how to serve and love them,” she continued.
Milad said the Golden Mecca’s performance all came together. “Although at first, people were nervous to perform on the stage with all the big lights and lots of people watching, some are messing up their part during our practice in the CAC, so we have to practice more,” Milad explained. She said by trusting the Lord and each other, they were able to have fun during the performance.
Representing the culture
Milad said it was a challenge for her to keep the excitement and energy the Golden Mecca Club brought last year. “There’s a lot of pressure, especially since it's a new club, and you would want to match the level of other clubs to represent your culture well,” she said.
Myo said their dance leaned more into freestyle. “The first time [leaves a] first impression, so we need to make sure [the performance is] good and because we’re representing our country and culture,” Myo said.
“We asked help from the former president of the Golden Mecca Club, Jaleh Pahio, to ensure we are getting appropriate ideas for costume, music, etc., for this year’s Culture Night,” Milad said. She said asking help from the former president of the club allowed her to start with figuring out how they could include and accommodate all their club members. “Last year we had a decent amount of men, but they were holding the flags. This time I wanted them to have a part,” Milad continued.
Myo also said their club did not have a lot of students to perform and deciding what to wear and what music to use had been a challenge for the presidency. “We don’t really dance and sing in our culture unless there is a special occasion, so we have to learn because of Culture Night, and it was good,” Myo shared.
Minority yet proud
Milad said it was nice to hear from other people after their performance at Culture Night. “There were only five or six of us representing the Middle East here on campus, and it was nice that people got to recognize us,” Milad shared. Myo said joining this kind of event allowed her to experience different cultures. She said she joined Hawaii and Afro World for this year’s Culture Night. “We usually represent what our [own] culture looks like, but we can also feel the spirit of the culture we are performing for during that time,” Myo explained.
Milad said she has not been to Egypt. She said it was really helpful for her to dive deeper into her own culture through Culture Night. “It was special for me to dance in costumes and learn how they celebrate the culture and present themselves overall,” Milad shared.
Myco Marcaida, one of the hosts in Ke Alakai: The Podcast said she is part of the minority and hearing the club presidents talk about their personal experience, especially Milad’s, led Marcaida to represent her heritage more. “It helps me become more proud of my heritage because they're proud of theirs,” explained Marcaida, a senior majoring in communications from the Philippines.
Future of Golden Mecca & Myanmar clubs
Milad said she wants to explore more of the Middle Eastern culture as it ties to the Savior. “Because that’s where He was born and He grew up in those places, I want to learn the culture as I learn about the Savior,” she said. Milad also shared because it is her senior year now, she’s unsure of what will happen with the club. “People ask me if there’s going to be a next year, but I’m not 100 percent sure. But if given the chance again, I might do it at least one more year because a lot of people have been so excited about it,” Milad shared.
Myo said if individuals have the chance to join any cultural clubs, they should do it. “It is really a good and cool experience,” she continued. She said it will be a good memory to look back on in the future. “Just do it and [have] faith in the Lord,” she said. Marcaida said Culture Night allows individuals to experience the things they tend to forget. She said, “It is to remember our ancestors, of where we came from to keep us grounded and help each other to understand our differences.”