By Molly Ma, Staff Writer |

As nearly 400 students from schools across New England filled the purple seats of the Goel Theatre in April. 26, the Asian American Footsteps Conference (AAFC) turned Winsor into a hub of conversation, reflection, and community. Centered around the theme “Creating Common Grounds: Connecting with Our Communities,” AAFC encouraged students to think not only about Asian American identity, but also about how that identity connects to their local communities.  

Throughout the day, students attended workshops on topics ranging from food, including ramen and tea, to spirituality, identity, and matchmaking. For Anna Oh ’28, the workshop on the intersection of Asian American identity and spirituality was especially memorable. In a smaller discussion group, Oh said she had “the chance to hear perspectives” on a topic she felt personally passionate about. Unlike discussions within a single school community, AAFC brought together students from a wide range of schools and backgrounds and created space for conversations that felt both personal and far-reaching. Oh found that AAFC helped her recognize the “diversity within the Asian American community,” where many cultures are connected by shared experiences but remain distinct.

AAFC’s impact on Winsor extended beyond the conference workshops. Just days later, guest speaker Josh Chuck returned to Winsor and spoke during the assembly about his heritage and his experiences growing up in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Through personal stories and reflections on community, identity, and history, Chuck invited students to think more deeply about their own cultural experiences that shape both individuals and communities. 

Math teacher Ms. Wang, one of the faculty members involved in organizing AAFC, said that she hopes “the conference’s impact continues after the event itself.” Ms. Wang suggested that potentially AAFC could encourage stronger connections between Winsor’s Asian student groups, including more joint meetings between ASIAM and SASA next year. Since this year’s theme focused on local communities, Ms. Wang also emphasized that AAFC could encourage students to think more intentionally about how they engage with Boston.

Between the workshops, student discussions, and assembly, the conference ultimately encouraged conversations that reached beyond Asian American identity and encouraged the Winsor community to reflect on belonging, perspective, and the importance of engaging  with  different experiences.