Island Spirit Shines at Manteca High: Poly Club Connects Students Through Culture

By ADAM KHAN  
The Tower  

Tina Macomber posing for her portrait outside P10 after her interview on October 14th, 2025 

MANTECA-The beat of island drums pulses through the Manteca High gym, guiding students’ steps as they move with rhythm and pride. Laughter and music mix with the faint scent of leis in the air. For a few moments, students are transported to the Pacific Islands thanks to the dedication and heart of the Manteca High Poly Club.  

Leading the way is junior Tina Macomber, the club's president, whose pride in her Samoan and Fijian heritage inspires everything she does. “What inspired me to be president was just being Samoan and Fijian,” Tina said. “I’ve always loved how beautiful my culture is, and I just want to showcase it more. My family has always taught me to be independent and lead beautifully.”  

The Poly Club was founded just two years ago and is still growing, but its mission and purpose is clear. “Our main mission and purpose are to get our club more out there,” Tina explained. “We’re pretty small right now, but we want more members, more events, and more chances to represent who we are.”  

But the Poly Club isn’t just for students of Polynesian or Pacific Islander descent. The Poly Club focuses on inclusion and education, welcoming anyone who is interested in learning about the diverse cultures of the Pacific.  

“Well, even though not everyone in the club is Polynesian or a Pacific Islander, for those who are and even if they don’t know much about their culture, we help teach them,” Tina said. “If they don’t know how to dance, we teach them. It’s about helping each other connect with where we come from or just learning something new together.”  

Vice President Sari Lawson, a sophomore, plays a key role in keeping the group organized and involved. “My main responsibilities as vice president are making sure everyone is involved and sending emails or messages to remind people of upcoming events and activities,” she explained.  

One of the highlights of being in the Poly Club, both leaders agree, is Island Jam a school wide cultural event that celebrates Polynesian dance and music. “Island Jam was my favorite memory,” Sari said. “We danced in front of the school. It’s a really fun event, and we made a lot of memories, even during practices.”  

 Tina also recalls one of her proudest moments being tied to a performance. “Last year, we learned a dance in a very short time period it really shouldn’t have been possible, but we pulled it off and it turned out amazing. It was definitely one of my favorite memories.”  

Looking ahead, both Tina and Sari have big goals for the club’s future. “We want to expand a lot more,” Tina said. “We want to get bigger, do a lot more events, and just get our name out there. There’s so much we can still do.”  

Sari also believes the club plays an important role at Manteca High. “It’s important for Manteca High to have a Poly Club because it gives other people and cultures a chance to get to know ours and be involved with something they’re not used to.”  

For Tina, seeing students from other backgrounds join and embrace the culture is especially meaningful. “Other cultures may want to join because they see how beautiful our dancing is, or they just appreciate the culture. They definitely fit in we welcome anyone, no matter what race they are.”  

Whether it’s dancing, learning, or simply celebrating identity, the Manteca High Poly Club is more than just a club, it’s a family, built on pride, culture, and connection. 

Sari Lawson posing with Wawa and Solo after Island Jam, the event she speaks of throughout the article.