Community, Culture, Connection: API, More Than a Club on Campus

On November 1, 2025, API Club members cheer during the High School Picnic at the University of the Pacific.

By ALEXANDRIA GRAY 

The Tower 

MANTECA – Community. Culture. Connections. 

That is what the API Club brings to Manteca High. For many students, it is more than just a club; it is a place to feel welcomed, supported, and part of something bigger. 

API stands for Asian Pacific Islander, but the club welcomes everyone. Jazhara Williams explains, “API is all about inclusivity, just making sure everybody feels welcome, involved, and included.”  She said one of the biggest benefits is “finding a community where you feel safe, happy, and like a new family and friends you never knew you needed.” 

API Club students take part in a group game, Over Under, at the High School Picnic held at UOP on November 1, 2025.

Hanna Palacio, another member, added that the club creates strong bonds. “You get to build relationships and friendships with people who have similar interests,” she said. “Just being around a good group of people is a really good opportunity.” 

Both agreed that students must match the club’s name to join. “You don’t have to be Asian to join,” Jazhara Williams said. “You’re honestly going to have way more fun than you think.” 

API meetings mix planning, bonding, and fun activities. “We discuss future events, like HSP or our upcoming Christmas bonding with the other schools,” Jazhara Wiliams said. “Or we just do fun things like door decorating, coloring pages, Kahoot’s, movies, anything like that.” 

Hanna Palacio explained that meetings are also a place to hear ideas and build the group’s future. “We usually discuss upcoming events or things we want to see for the future,” Hanna Palacio said. “We just hang out, talk, and do activities.” API also instructs students about culture through performance and tradition. Jazhara Williams shared, “Last year we did a traditional fan dance for the Multicultural Rally. It helps you get closer to our culture and see how it has evolved.” 

According to both members, students especially enjoy the club because of the strong sense of community. “People love HSP,” Jazhara Williams said,” but they also enjoy dancing at the multicultural rally or just hanging out and having fun.” 

The biggest event for API is the HSP (High School Picnic). “HSP is our biggest event of the year and our first event,” Hanna Palacio explained. “We start practicing as soon as Club Rush is over.” Practices take place after school with Sierra and East Union, where members work on field games and “a giant choreographed dance that anybody can join.” 

Hanna Palacio described HSP as a huge cultural event hosted at UOP College. “It’s where a bunch of schools come and compete in games and dance competitions” Hanna Palacio said. She added that the whole vibe is “inclusive, loud, fun, and all-around community.” 

Both members enjoy the creative side of preparing for it. Jazhara Williams said, “The best part about planning events is collaborating with other schools and students. It opens your eyes to how things work and how things work and how things must be planned out.” Hanna Palacio agreed, saying she likes “hearing everyone’s ideas and seeing them go into action.” 

With its mix of culture, teamwork, and fun, API gives students a place to belong. Through meetings, performances, and major events like HSP, the club creates a community that celebrates diversity and brings people together. For students like Jazhara Williams and Hanna Palacio, API is a highlight of high school, and a space where everyone can feel included.