Verona’s AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Lights Up the Stage

VERONA, NJ – On May 30, Verona High School hosted the 2025 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Evening Celebration. Organized by Verona Public Schools and the township’s Multicultural Inclusion and Accessibility Advisory Committee (MIAAC), the event welcomed students, families, educators, and community members for an evening filled with performances highlighting the richness of AAPI cultures.

The celebration opened with welcoming remarks from Julia Peter, Supervisor of Humanities K–12 for Verona Public Schools, and teacher Jennifer Kleinknecht, who together served as the evening's emcees. A team of student hosts—including Jack Latson, Danielle Imbriano, Allyson Mooncai, Marco Cappello, Gwen Cohen, Leo Balady, Parker Quick, and Alexa Gandzii—guided the program with confidence and poise.

The first performance, “Sounds of Drum,” presented by the Hea Sun Jung Korean Traditional Dance Academy, brought the audience into the celebration with powerful Korean percussion.

Special guests then addressed the audience: Jack McEvoy, Deputy Mayor of Verona; Dr. Charles R. Miller, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; and Joshua Cogdill, Principal of Verona High School.

The cultural portion of the program began with the Yangge Dance, a traditional folk dance from Northeast China, performed by Verona teachers and students. Teachers included Dr. Charles Miller, Nadia Domenick, Jennifer Kleinknecht, Kathleen Thomas, Stefanie Lijoi, Kimberly Rothenberger, Angie Yang, Joanna Boyan, and Jenny Qin. Student performers were Allyson Mooncai, Maureen Mikhael, Cecilia Manis, Marco Cappello, and Mark Centrowitz.

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company contributed a series of traditional Chinese dances, including the Peacock Dance, China Fan Dance, and Mongolian Dance. The Purple Swans Corporation presented two elegant Chinese fan performances: Rhythms of the Valley Breeze with Palm Fans and Beautiful Matchmakers.

From Hawaii, Nuni Sawyer Walsh and Donelle Nunes Sawyer performed Ulu – A Traditional Hula Duo, bringing Hawaiian cultural storytelling to the stage. Pianist Charu Suri shared Raga Jazz, blending Indian classical music with elements of jazz improvisation.

Returning to the stage, the Hea Sun Jung Korean Traditional Dance Academy presented the Korea Fan Dance. The evening concluded with a martial arts demonstration by Master Cho’s Talium SWAT Team, thrilling the audience with board-breaking skills and synchronized routines.

A surprise visit from panda mascots brought extra joy to the younger audience members. The stage was decorated with cherry blossoms and national flags representing AAPI countries, creating a festive and inclusive environment. At the end of the program, all performers and guests gathered for a group photo—capturing the spirit of unity, appreciation, and community that defined the evening.

The success of the event was made possible through the leadership of Superintendent Diane DiGiuseppe, along with Executive Directors Jenny Qin, Betty Hou, and Angie Yang, and the support of numerous teachers, staff members, students, and volunteers.

“This wasn’t just a show,” one audience member reflected. “It was a celebration of identity, community, and pride—and a reminder of how powerful it is when we come together to honor each other’s cultures.”