- What dish or dishes symbolize your heritage best and who first made them for you?
Ensaymada, a sweet Filipino pastry, makes me feel closest to my grandma. She has lived with my immediate family since my childhood, and we have a bond more akin to a brother and sister. She is funny, caring, and still to this day makes sure I’m eating enough. Grandma Rachel would make ensaymada for holidays and special occasions. Eventually, I started making them alongside her, and wrote down the recipe she had been using from memory. Ensaymada are fluffy, topped with sugar, and warm; they connect me to my grandma and the sweetness of childhood.
- Can you share a story about someone from the community who has influenced or challenged you to become your best? (Family, friends, celebrities, artists, etc.)
Growing up in a hapa (White + Filipino) family has taught me how to look out for others. My three brothers especially challenge me to become my best. I learned a great deal of confidence from my kuya, Alex (Kuya (koo-ya) is a term of respect for one’s older brother). I also learned about my influence on others as a kuya to my younger brothers Andrew and Jacob. Being raised around brothers has affected how I navigate intimate relationships and form bonds with others. It even influences my creativity and work. For my senior thesis, I conceptualized a footwear brand called KUYA, exploring the connection between the bonds of family and shoes:
https://ryan-crouch.com/work#/kuya-ftwr-1/
- Why is May a significant month for the AAPI community?
Especially over the past two years, the AAPI community has experienced a spike in hatred and anti-Asian sentiment. Though these issues are just now getting spotlighted in media, their roots in US history are much deeper than that. AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on the past, as well as celebrate progress we have made. Education, reflection, and action are so significant to the safety and appreciation of all who identify as AAPI.
Deckers Careers 