Keshia V. ’24 has made the most of her high school experience at Carondelet. She is actively involved in music ministry for school liturgies, the peer counseling program, and Carondelet athletics as team captain for the Varsity basketball team and co-leader of the 6th Woman Club. Along with participating in numerous extracurricular activities, Keshia has valued her time at Carondelet because of her ability to celebrate and discover more about her heritage.
“I am part of a family of four, and I am the youngest sibling,” says Keshia “I was raised by my mom and dad who were both born in the Philippines. Growing up, my parents instilled in us the same Filipino values they grew up with. Over time they adjusted to American culture, but always reminded us of the importance of embracing our Filipino blood.”
The co-led Carondelet/De La Salle Asian Pacific Islander (API) Club gave Keshia a chance to engage with her Filipino heritage and encourage her peers to join in and participate. This inclusive club provides an opportunity for students to come together, regardless of their background, to learn about the vibrant cultures and heritage of Asian Pacific Islanders.
“The API Club is a place where we recognize and celebrate different cultures and traditions of Asian and Pacific Island countries,” Keshia shares. “The API Club extends its reach beyond its members by engaging the wider student body through fun, enriching events like food sales, potlucks, and cultural festivals.”
“I see API as a special community between both campuses,” Keshia says “Students can share their backgrounds and cultures not only with each other but also across both schools. I love seeing everyone around the schools take part in our events. It brought me happiness seeing so many other people enjoy the special traditions that API brings.”
Keshia graduates this month and will continue her basketball career at Lehigh University. To learn more about her commitment to Lehigh University Basketball, click here.
