The UW-Platteville Hmong Club went to UW-Madison to the Hmong American Student Association (HASA) 2023 Spring Conference on April 8.

The theme of the conference was “Sib Koom Tes” meaning “hand- in-hand,” this theme “highlights the important roles of culture, education and professionalism at different stages of our lives and how they all intersect to impact who we are as Hmong people.”

The HASA conference has been delayed due to COVID-19 and in 2023 they were able to hold it for the first time in years. The conference gives students in other Hmong clubs a chance to meet with accomplished presenters and other students to make connections.

“Getting to go to Madison and to represent our club as a part of UW-Platteville is a way for our club and fellow universities to attend each other’s events to spread Hmong culture,” Hmong Club Vice President Yuepheng Xiong said.

The UW-Platteville Hmong Club was able to represent campus at the conference and attend workshops. These workshops were to help Hmong students adjust to college life from past students.

“In each workshop there was a presenter, and they were very accomplished in their own field,” Activities Director Dao Vang continued. “They were giving us advice and we ask questions and connect with them.”

At the end of the event, there was a show honoring Hmong culture with a dance performance.

The UW-Platteville Hmong Club hosts performances with artists and dancers along with dinners throughout the academic year to celebrate Hmong culture and spread it to the public.