Cal Poly’s Hmong Student Association is stepped onto the Illuminate stage for the first time, marking a milestone for the newer campus organization.
Founded this academic year, the club was created to connect the small number of Hmong students at Cal Poly. Members say the organization began as a way to build community but quickly grew into something more visible.
Their upcoming performance blends traditional Hmong dance elements with influences from Thai movement and the Hmong American experience. While the dance includes recognizable hand forms and foundational movements, choreography allows room for personal expression, reflecting a tradition shaped by adaptation and storytelling.
For many performers, Illuminate will be their first dance showcase at Cal Poly. Students balancing rehearsals with midterms have spent hours each night refining timing, formations and solo moments. The performance also marks a first for the group’s choreographer, who is debuting her own Hmong routine on stage.
With only about 10 members performing, the group hopes the audience leaves with a deeper understanding of Hmong culture and a recognition that even a small community has a presence on campus.
