Founded and established in 1986, the Hmong Stout Student Organization (H.S.S.O.) aims in spreading and educating what the Hmong culture is, what it’s about, and how it has progressed and revolutionized while keeping its traditions alive and well. The organization also aims in building professional and personal connections and relationships with other cultures to create a better understanding of each other’s customs. The organization, which is set on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, is to unify and guide individuals who are of Hmong descent, and is not only open to Hmong-American students but to other students from different backgrounds as well who want to learn more or are interested in what the Hmong culture is about.

In addition to this, the purpose of H.S.S.O. it aims to enrich and guide members in forming and building leadership and relationship skills through social, cultural, and academic experiences and guidance as well as bridge and connect with other organizations that share the same interests in focusing on minorities. The organization also aims to provide and create opportunities for interested individuals both inside and outside of the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus. It also aims to justify and focus on issues that concern students of Hmong descent at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the UW-System and the United States of America.

Credit to Emi Stuemke's English classes for beginning to collect information on Menomonie's History.

Menomonie is a fairly homogeneous town. For many minorities, there is a desire to meet and talk to other minorities in the era. This is the niche that the Hmong Student Organization (or HSSO) fills. The HSSO has created a safe, inviting atmosphere where people can discuss more relatable topics that would otherwise be ignored. Events are tailored for the needs and desires of its members. In a common mind, they can truly express themselves and their culture with such events, although the main focus oftentimes remains to have fun. Many events, like the Halloween Party, are open to the public and present an educational opportunity for education. Overall, the HSSO is a very warm and welcoming community for minority members of the community.

1. The Hmong Stout Student Organization blends into the diverse campus. They hold many events throughout the year educating and promoting diversity. They are a very active group that welcomes all students and community members to attend activities. They offer knowledge that is not taught in the classroom setting. The HSSO is also open to working with other organizations, enriching the campus’ diversity even more. They host an educational conference in the spring that gives you the opportunity to learn about the culture. The biggest even put on by HSSO is the Hmong New Year. They have hosted it in Menomonie for 11 years. This allows young Hmong people to showcase their talents and perform for others.

2. Menomonie is a fairly homogeneous town. For many minorities, there is a desire to meet and talk to other minorities in the era. This is the niche that the Hmong Student Organization (or HSO) fills. The HSO has created a safe, inviting atmosphere where people can discuss more relatable topics that would otherwise be ignored. Events are tailored for the needs and desires of its members. In a common mind, they can truly express themselves and their culture with such events, although the main focus oftentimes remains to have fun. Many events, like the Halloween Party, are open to the public and present an educational opportunity for education. Overall, the HSO is a very warm and welcoming community for minority members of the community.

3. The members of HSSO find many ways to preserve their cultural foods. At the first meeting of every month, the board members host a potluck where they bring in a traditional Hmong dish. Members of the organizations find ways to preserve the cultural foods by cooking in the residence halls, learning the recipes and traditional ways of doing things through their parents, cooking at home when they have the time, and by having their parents pass the foods down through the generations. Many of the members of HSSO feel that they have a decent amount of community support in the regards that people attend the events and are interested in the culture. On the other hand, they noted that they do not receive much of the funding they need since most of their funding for larger events come out of pocket of the members.