What is Lunar New Year, and why is it important to acknowledge?
“The Chinese Lunar New Year festival marks the start of the New Year; the date of this celebration changes each year because it is based on the Lunar calendar, which follows the moon cycle. This festival has many fantastic traditions to help start the year off great. It is a time for families to gather and celebrate in various ways. Making dumplings, making lanterns, fireworks, eating various lucky dishes, and giving out red envelopes are some traditions observed during the celebration. The Chinese Lunar New Year is an essential event to recognize because it is one of the most important Chinese celebrations and can assist many people in better understanding Chinese culture and traditions.”
What is your Chinese class doing to celebrate the Lunar New Year?
“For Chinese New Year, my Chinese class has taken part in a variety of celebratory activities. We gave presentations to the Upper School. I was able to prepare dumplings with my classmates, teacher, and Mrs. McMahon, and then we all got to eat them using appropriate Chinese etiquette. Then, the entire Upper School Chinese department took a field trip to Flushing, New York, where we visited a Chinese restaurant, supermarket, and mall.”
How did your field trip to Chinatown help you immerse in the culture and celebrate the Lunar New Year?
“During our field trip, my class and I were able to see many different aspects of Chinese culture, including the different types of foods, decorations, and customs. We were able to explore a Chinese supermarket and mall where we were only allowed to speak in Chinese. We talked to employees and other customers while we shopped around to buy different types of Lunar New Year snacks and treats. We ate at a restaurant called Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao. We ordered all of our food in Chinese and were able to have great conversations throughout the meal with each other and the waiters. At the end of our meal, the restaurant gave every student and faculty member a red envelope with gifts inside. The entire department was able to immerse fully into the culture shown to us during the trip, giving us a whole new understanding of the importance of the celebrations and traditions in Chinese culture.”
The King Street Chronicle thanks junior Finley Newman ’26 for her contributions to “Humans of Sacred Heart.”
