APASA’s Game Show Social, as told from the perspectives of Emma Hsu, our programming director, and Evelyn Zhang, our Co-Advocacy Chair.

Emma (Planning and Directing the Event):

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! We were finally having an in-person event after more than a year of virtual programming! Over the past year of an online APASA experience, I have heard countless accounts of in-person event chaos and how it was simultaneously nerve wracking and exhilarating. I can now attest to that sentiment—the countless Slack knocks and texts came in a constant stream. As the participants started filing into the TCC Forum after having dinner at Associate’s Park, it finally hit us that this was actually happening.

Projector = ready. Sound system = ready. Games = ready. Emcees = ready. SHOW TIME!

Through a series of three games: Music Jeopardy, “Box” of Lies, and Dub a Disney Scene, six teams each worked together harmoniously to advance their agenda of winning plushies. Decked out in game-show attire, our lovely and charismatic emcees Kimberle and Sara moderated the event and reintroduced countless methods to hush a crowd (meow? :3) Although I was initially nervous about the logistics of running an event after spending less than a week on campus, the participants’ enthusiasm reminded me to slow down, enjoy the event, and soak in our community’s vibrance. Lastly, seeing all the teams huddled together made me realize how meaningful APASA’s events are—not only do we spread cultural pride and awareness, but we also build community through making and sharing memories. :3

APASA’s third annual Game Show Social was nothing short of amazing—the vibes were immaculate and the night was filled with endless laughter! I would like to sincerely thank you all for coming out to our event and being a part of our community, my fellow APASA E-Boarders for helping out with all the logistics, Kimberle and Sara for being the bestest and cutest emcees, and Josh and Jen for making the event come into fruition!

Evelyn (Attending/Helping during the Event):

We waited in anticipation as the team and I cut through the Dulce line to pick up our dinner orders for Game Show Social. “Portobello mushroom burger, Korean bulgogi sandwich, mango jicama salad…” the staff at Dolce explained, as the stacks of freshly prepared meals sat neatly piled in cardboard boxes. Our eyes gleamed with excitement, knowing that this was a great start to the event. The wonderful staff at Dulce graciously helped us push the boxes and load them onto the buggy, as Josh, APASA’s Assistant Director, drove us to the dinner venue, the rest of us sitting on the trunk, waving our hands in the air, causing passerbyers to turn their heads as we flew past them.

30 minutes before the start of the event, there was already a small congregation of eager participants awaiting us upon arrival at Associate's Park. More APASA members arrived and we set up the tables, unpacked the dinner boxes and jugs of freshly brewed matcha tea, ready to serve the USC community. We assumed our positions behind the tables, ready to pass out dinner as the line slowly grew to extend to the edge of the park. It was wonderful recognizing familiar faces as well as meeting diverse, new personalities. People scattered around the area as the background noise of joyous conversation perfumed the air. I looked around and couldn’t help but smile at the momentous realization that we were really here in person.

After dinner, our participants funneled into the TCC Forum. Teams sat together in groups and my team welcomed me with open arms, gesturing for me to take a seat. The fun filled night then commenced with an intense game of Jeopardy, battling out the release dates of “Butter” by BTS and Disney songs. We ended the night by acting out scenes from movies, with participants getting on the floor for scenes from movies ranging from The Lion King and Wreck it Ralph. We excitedly drum rolled as the final scores came out, queuing the applause from the audience as the MCs announced the winner “team NASD!”

The night soon rolled to an end. The team gathered in a huddle, and finally, with an “APASA on me APASA on three! One! Two! Three!” we concluded our very first APASA event of the year.

We are so excited to share what APASA has in store for this year and we can't wait to see you all at our future events!

Game Show Social 2021