A festive Spring Expo

After 3 years, Spring Expo returns to showcase MSJ clubs and departments as well as student works and achievements for incoming freshmen.

By Waylon Li & Callie Yuan Sta Writers

On March 30 from 6-8 p.m., MSJ hosted its annual Spring Expo for the frst time since the coronavirus pandemic. 31 school clubs and organizations, along with various education departments across campus, came together to showcase the work they accomplished throughout the year.

Attracting attendees with warm wafts of homemade crepes, festive Spanish karaoke songs, and soaring diabolos, the World Language Department transformed the M-Wing into a cultural paradise, featuring the diverse French, Spanish, and Chinese cultures on campus. As students and parents gathered around to play trivia games and learn about the different courses, curriculums, and clubs offered in the department, the setting sun and draped fairy lights illuminated an Encanto backdrop created by the language teachers.

“I feel extremely grateful. [Expo] has been a very exciting experience,” Spanish Teacher Leticia Magaña said, “My students, my colleagues, and I, we just really wanted to light up the World Language section to make everyone happy.”

Other departments displayed student projects in a gal- lery walk. In the Flex Room, the Social Studies Depart - ment organized a series of collages on students’ family histories. In the A-Wing Cafeteria, the Math Department presented numerous hand-built projects centered around topics of geometry, trigonometry, and calculus, including a model of the Leaning Tower of Pisa constructed of cardboard and paint. In the B-Wing Cafeteria, the Science Department presented chemistry, physics, and biology-related student work, ranging from catapults to dissected brains. Lining the walkway of the B-Wing, club booths featured the prominent and enticing aspects of their organization, hoping to promote their club to incoming and current students. From 3D models of biological molecules and student-designed magazines to brochures and competition awards, club booths drew the attention of attendees as club offcers pitched incentives for both incoming and current students to join their organizations. For example, MSJ USABO/Biology Club displayed models of molecules that curious students fdgeted with, while club offcers pitched the essence of learning biology and gaining new knowledge. “It’s good that we’re getting a lot of exposure at this event,” MSJ USABO/Biology Club Webmaster Junior Brandon Bao said. Clubs were also able to utilize the Expo to update their mailing lists and fnd potential members. The diverse range of clubs showcased the options students could choose from to further their academic interests. MSJ Peer Resource, a zero-period class focused on`improving the mental health of the student body, looked to spread awareness about its impact at MSJ. “It’s a group of people working together to help improve the mental health at MSJ, which is such an academically focused school,” MSJ Peer Resource Offcer Junior Sairisheeth Venkat said. Other clubs used the opportunity to promote interests to students and show the diversity of passions to pursue at MSJ. “I’m so excited to spark that passion for incoming freshmen because it’s something you can take on into your adult life. I want to instill a passion for service and teach others how great community service can be,” MSJ Interact Co-Outreach Coordinator Junior Anushree Marimuthu said.

“I hope [the students] can learn a little bit more about MSJ’s clubs and hopefully find out [what] they’re interested in so they could join next year.”

- MSJ Phoenix Art & Literary Magazine Art Editor Sophomore Keerti Koya

Despite a three-year gap since the last expo at MSJ, Mission Possible Parent & Faculty Association organizers planned the event skillfully and provided an insightful experience so that students, staff, and parents alike can look forward to future showcases. “It’s been a couple of years since we’ve done [Expo]. So, it’s a little stressful coming back and trying to get into the center of things. But, I think this will be a good step in the right direction ... and hopefully, it builds on to the following

Education

lissa Kaeo