For sophomore Rushana Lama, it was a shock to learn how many people were interested in Baldwin’s new Nepali Student Association after the recent cultural dance assembly. 

Lama was one of the students of Nepali background who danced for the Cultural Appreciation Day in the auditorium on Dec. 4.

“I feel like Nepali culture is getting more recognition this year with all of the cultural clubs and events,” Lama said.

Though she knew the cultural dance assembly would bring more attention and awareness to the Nepali culture and population in the school, she did not expect it to have a huge influence on the new club.

Junior Parvesh Siwakoti-Raya took inspiration from his cousin, who attends the University of Pittsburgh, and created a Nepali Student Association here at Baldwin High School. The club aims to unite students through Nepali culture. 

Junior Arpan Basnet is one of the student leaders for the club, and he said he wants to share Nepali traditions and culture with students.

“It’s important to me because I myself am Nepali, and I’m disappointed by seeing our culture disappear,” Basnet said. “Many cousins and friends of mine don’t know much about traditions, and I’d like to inform anyone interested.”

Because Nepal has a lot of diversity within the country, there may be some aspects of the culture that students of Nepali background themselves are unaware of.

“We have so many sub-groups and so many different languages within our small country that many people don’t expect it,” Basnet said. “This diversity makes Nepali culture meaningful and unique, as it shows a wide range of histories and identities merged into one proud country.”

The idea for the club arose a few weeks after the school year began, but the official meetings did not start until November. History teacher Joseph Geyer agreed to become the club sponsor, though Siwakoti-Raya did most of the planning for the club.

“I support multiculturalism in the U.S. and think it’s important for people to keep connected to their native cultures after immigrating here,” Geyer said.

Club members are continuing to work on organizing activities. 

So far, the club has organized an introductory meeting, where they did icebreakers and took the yearbook photo, as well as a Chatpate Day, for which members made what’s considered a staple in Nepali cuisine. Chatpate consists of puffed rice, cilantro, crushed uncooked instant noodles, onions, cucumbers, lemon juice, spices, and more, depending on an individual’s preference.

Lama has also been involved with planning for the club, and she said the club has exceeded her expectations, even when she has not been able to attend every meeting.

“I didn’t think it would be that popular because there weren’t many people during the first meeting, but then when I saw the pictures of our Chatpate Day,” Lama said. “I remember the other members telling me that they were even running out of food when we had brought so much.”

Members want to plan more activities for future months.

“I want to plan at least a month’s worth of events and things ahead of time, so I have just been getting people’s ideas for the club,” Siwakoti-Raya said. Among the ideas are more interactive activities, including possibly inviting a guest speaker from the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh.

“In the future, we plan to do more interactive activities, such as Kahoots related to Nepali culture, invite guest speakers, host more food days, possibly offer a dance class, and just more fun and engaging activities,” Basnet said. 

Regardless of their background, all students are welcome.

“The club is open to all students, which is a part of our plan to further the diversity and spread of knowledge of Nepali culture,” Basnet said. “With this, we could minimize any prejudiced or ignorant beliefs some may have.”

Sophomore Dominic Maracic has attended many of the meetings.

“Despite being non-Nepali, I am still able to enjoy the immersion in Nepali culture,” Maracic said. “Having been exposed to an element of it through my participation in soccer programs for the school, I didn’t feel isolated or neglected.”