Kids Collect: A project with students at Susan B. Anthony School

On view through April 5, 2023, at the Robert T. Matsui Gallery inside Sacramento City Hall (915 I Street).

Sacramento has the third largest Hmong population in the United States, with nearly 30,000 people of Hmong heritage calling it home. One of California’s three Hmong dual-language immersion programs can be found in Sacramento’s Meadowview neighborhood at Susan B. Anthony Elementary School. Here, students are instructed in both Hmong and English. Last year, the Center for Sacramento History asked 5th and 6th graders at Susan B. Anthony to imagine what an exhibit about them or their families would look like.

For this exhibit, students chose objects from home and wrote about what made them so important. These objects are presented with label text written by students themselves.

“We all have something valuable, it doesn’t need to be expensive, as long as it’s important to you.” – Anabella Vang, 6th grade

"My artifact is special to me because it reminds me of my grandfather's sword. My grandfather was a shaman who used a sword for religious practices. As a shaman, he saved many people from illnesses." Katelynn Yang, 5th grade

"My Hmoob house is made out of bamboo. My family has been watering the bamboo tree for years. My dad and I cut the leaves of the bamboo to make the roof. All of my family helped and told me what it needed for it to look better." Gwen Lor, 6th grade

"One artifact that represents me is a bracelet. The bracelet came from my grandmother who used to wear it as a protection against nightmares." Silvia Xiong, 5th grade

"The Care Bear is important to my family because my parents made it together. It helps me sleep at night when I have nightmares." Shianne Her, 6th grade