Lotus Gala 2025

Lotus Gala 2025 was more than just an event—it was the closing chapter of a dream that began in 2023, when my friend Lilla Khan and I co-founded the inaugural Lotus Gala with the hope of creating space for true celebration of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) identities. At a predominantly white institution where finals and graduation often overshadow AANHPI Heritage Month, we wanted to create a moment that was fully ours—vibrant, unapologetic, and rooted in cultural pride.

Since its founding, the Gala has grown into one of the most attended student events on campus, bringing together hundreds of students, alumni, and guests each year for a night of performance, food, and reflection. As someone who has served on AASU’s E-Board for 3.5 years—as Vice President, President, and now Senior Advisor—watching the Gala blossom into a signature campus tradition has been one of the greatest joys of my college career.

This final Gala was filled with warmth, community, and a deep sense of pride. While it was bittersweet to say goodbye, the legacy we’ve built will continue to echo in the hearts of those who found belonging and celebration at AU.