For many students at Lane, November signifies a month of various events and holidays. November marks the end of the first quarter, numerous days off, and Turkey Bowl. But for students who are a part of Asian Clubs, November signifies the start of their annual tradition: Rice Bowl.

For the past years, students have organized the flag football event, consisting of all Asian clubs such as; Cambodian-Thai, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Indian, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Both boys and girls participate, each in their own team, representing their club’s country. Some practices begin as early as October, outside door O after school.

The event is organized by the students themselves. From making club rosters to planning scrimmages, it is a time in which all club presidents and members come together for a day of flag football. Kevin Hoang, Div.564, President of Vietnamese Club, was this year’s coordinator and head of Rice Bowl planning. Hoang has been part of Vietnamese Club for four years, and has found a second family in his team. In the process, Hoang was in charge of transmitting information to the rest of the club presidents, and setting up meetings to plan rosters, lineups, and volunteering at Horner Park in order to obtain the permit.

“[The process] wasn’t hard it was just long and tedious, it wasn’t bad,” Hoang said.

Rice Bowl is also of time in which new members of the club first meet and interact with each other before official dance practices begin. For Shreekesh Tamrakar, Div. 579, President of India Club, Rice Bowl is the beginning of the club’s unity.

“It brings our club together every year because people who don’t know how to play football learn from people who do know … and it’s good because during practices everyone gets familiar with each other and just has fun,” Tamrakar said.

Steven Le, Div.585, President of Chinese Club has been a member for three years and believes that this year’s Rice Bowl will be a good one, and one of the best ones so far. Team China has been practicing for three days a week, an hour and a half each day. To Le, Rice Bowl is not only about being a competitive event, but the unity of the clubs and bonding through playing football.

“Being part of Rice Bowl is like being part of a community, like a family. If you’re at Rice Bowl then you can see all the energy and everybody laughing and everyone just enjoying each other’s company,” Le said.