This week’s Farmers Focus spotlights senior Rebecca Par, the Chin club president who is very passionate about her culture. She is eager to lead club members to share Chin culture to others.
SNAPSHOTS
Favorite season: Winter
Who would you like to be for a day: Musical artist Emily Ngun Hlei Sung
Name a place you’d go every day: Church
What do you value most in friendships: Godliness
What types of music boosts your confidence: Worship music
Food you could eat every day: Noodles
ZOOMING IN
Q: What made you want to join Chin club?
A: “As a Chin student myself, when I found out about Chin club I was very intrigued. Knowing there was a Chin club about my culture specifically, I couldn’t help but join.”
Q: What makes Chin club special to you?
A: “Chin club is very special to me because our Chin students are coming together as a community. There is so much support within one another and I just love the community we have built.”
Q: What is your favorite memory of being part of Chin club?
A: “My favorite memory is performing with my sister a few years back. My sister and I got to sing a duet together. I really enjoyed the preparation, the learning and the whole process of the performance. It was a very exciting experience for me, and I would love to do it all over again.”
Q: What events or activities are you excited about planning the most?
A: “I’m most excited about our Chin Festival, that is our main and biggest event. While we do have a lot of upcoming events, I look forward to them too, but the festival is just so much more exciting to me. There is so much going on in the festival and everyone is always doing at least one thing to help out.”
Q: Why do you think Chin club is important for students?
A: “Chin club is important for students because throughout all of our academic stress, Chin club is a time to just be with your community, spend time with one another, it’s just a resting place for your mental health I would say.”
Q: What do you feel the most rewarding part of being the president is?
A: “The most rewarding part of being the president is definitely the encouragement I receive, not just from my advisers, teachers, but from the students themselves. Hearing the support and words of encouragement, it really gives me the strength as a president to keep leading our organization.”
Q: What or who keeps you motivated when leading gets tough?
A: “I have to give the glory to God. Ultimately, God is who leads me throughout it all. Leading is definitely not easy, it’s very difficult. So, in hard times, God is the one I rely on the most. ”
Q: What do you hope people walk away with after coming to an event?
A: “The greatest life lesson I learned is definitely good community. Chin students come from different churches, tribes, schools and districts. The ultimate thing I learned as a life lesson is how important the community is in Chin club.”
Q: If you could leave one message the rest of the club will always remember, what it would be, and why?
A: “Always love and be proud of your culture. Never forget where you came from and pass it on to others. At the end of the day, always know that we are stronger as a community.”
Q: What is a life lesson you learned in Chin club?
A: “After coming to one of our events, I really hope people walk away with just acknowledgement and awareness of our culture. Knowing these are Chin students with beautiful backgrounds facing many hardships. [Then] seeing how far we have come I just hope that the people that are going to our events bring light into that and show appreciation.”
