As laughter, music, and festive treats permeated the air, this year’s Lunar New Year celebration brought the PDS community together. The annual celebration featured talented student musicians, dance performances, and personal narratives across all grades, reflecting the diverse student body representing Asian heritage.
Preparation for this celebration is a collective effort from all three divisions. The annual dragon dance, which opens the event, is performed by the lower schoolers with two upper schoolers leading them, resembling unity and fortune as the dragon is believed to bring prosperity. Within the Upper School, Chinese Club and APIDA came together to organize this event for the first time. Through their joint effort, a wider range of Asian traditions was represented. For example, the program featured students across all grades sharing personal reflections about their Asian heritage, including overlooked traditions such as Tibetan New Year. The celebration also included four different activity stations filled with fun games, creating an interactive environment where attendees could engage with the traditions in meaningful ways. APIDA and Chinese Club Faculty Advisor Ms. Angela Wang shared how one of her favorite parts of the celebration is seeing the power of food bringing people together: “I want everyone to leave with the ‘my belly is full, and my heart is fuller’ sensation.” The feast prepared by the Chinese Parent Association is a central part of the celebration, allowing people to actively partake in the culture.
Beyond performances and activities, the heart of the celebration promotes belonging through cultural appreciation. Lunar New Year is a deeply personal time for many, as they immerse themselves in their culture by spending time with loved ones and preparing homemade dishes, allowing families to slow down amid the hustle of life. Organizers hoped that the celebration would remind students that their cultural identities should be celebrated. As sSenior Lizbeth He, co-head of Chinese Club and APIDA, shared, “I hope students can know that their cultural celebrations are not a side of them that they have to keep at home, and that there’s a welcoming space within our broader PDS community to celebrate together.”
The Lunar New Year Celebration allows students to embrace their culture, celebrating both new and familiar traditions. By recognizing the diverse Asian culture, it brings people together in meaningful ways, connecting one another through rich traditions and shedding light on students’ voices and experiences.
