Giovanna Z. Rinaldo
Staff Writer
Chinese New Year came wrapped up in red, for good luck, at University of La Verne’s celebration in Sneaky Park Monday.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., faculty and students had the opportunity to be a part of an international event while reinforcing happy wishes for the year. With a variety of typical dishes and activities on display, the university community embraced the tradition as their own.
There was plenty to satisfy all five senses.
There were egg rolls and green tea cakes to taste and smell while traditional music played in the background. Detailed decorations spread across Sneaky Park and dancers dressed in traditional clothes danced around the tables.
Campus Activities Board Multicultural Chairwoman Autumn Simon has been putting the event together since August 2015.
She said she enjoyed getting up close and personal with this celebration and its meanings.
“It’s always a great time when I learn about it (the event) and then am able to teach others about it,” she said.
As 2016 is the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac calendar, several monkey figures decorated Sneaky Park.
One booth was also set up to help people find out which animal was their Chinese zodiac match.
Another important animal at play was the lion, having a traditional new year’s dance all for itself. At 11:45, a ritual of swords and drums started the presentation that would end up with a playful and colorful lion dancing around tables and interacting with people.
Associate Director of Student Life Angie Anderson said the most notable upgrade from last year’s celebration was the Chinese lion performance.
“It’s nice to have a special celebration for all the students on campus, not just the Chinese students,” she said.
Senior business administration major Liang Cui appreciated the University’s Chinese New Year celebration. He explained that he is used to spending the new year away from his home-country.
“Back home, of course we celebrate it with family. We get together, big family, grandma, grandpa, uncles and aunts… We have dumplings, and those dishes homemade,” said Cui, who is already used to spending the new year away from his home country.
Since the date coincides with the American academic calendar, students like Cui have to find alternative ways to celebrate it.
Throwing a magical party and inviting everyone else looks like an incredible way to go about it.
Giovanna Z. Rinaldo can be reached at giovanna.zelonirinaldo@laverne.edu.
