Sophomore Ana Coffey Halimah and junior Lauren Maranhao-Wong have come together to create Los Altos High School’s first Mixed Student Union (MSU).

“I’m mixed and I never felt necessarily dark enough for one side of the family or light enough for the other,” the club’s co-president Ana said. “It’s difficult to be mixed through your sense of identity and belonging kind of gets thrown through a whirlwind of emotions.”

These experiences as a mixed person led to Ana’s wish to create a safe community for people of all cultures. She hopes to help people like her feel a sense of belonging.

“Lauren and I wanted to have a diverse and equitable space for students of all walks of life to get together and feel supported when they might not necessarily feel supported in their communities,” Ana said.

Fellow co-president Lauren, who is Chinese, Caucasian and Latina, decided to work with Ana and rework the Wasian Student Union to become the MSU.

“This club was previously the Wasian Student Union and we decided to become more inclusive this year,” Lauren said.

The change from a Wasian student union to a mixed student union allows more students of different backgrounds to join together and be a part of a community that celebrates every culture.

Ana and Lauren not only want to share culture but also cuisine. Everyone is welcome to bring their own food and share it with the community.

MSU club advisor Elizabeth Pyle was previously the club advisor for Wasian Student Union. The club now meets in Room 706 every other Thursday.