Donya Rouzbehi
Sports Editor
The Office of International Services and Study Abroad hosted its annual Lunar New Year event at noon Tuesday in the Ludwick Sky Bridge. The event, attended by about 20 students, offered food from Panda Express and fun activities to mark the day.
Rigzin Norbu-Win, international student advisor, dove into what this annual event is all about and what it means for students.
“We’re here showing the celebration to the campus, welcoming everybody,” Norbu-Win said. “We have fortune cards and activities for everyone.”
The organizers expressed the importance of this event, among others, and how it unites international students from different backgrounds.
This year, the Year of the Horse, foretells rapid change, intense energy and new beginnings. The year of the horse only happens once every 60 years.
The main activity included Lunar New Year red envelopes, or hóngbāo, an ancient Chinese tradition.
The envelopes are gifts of money in red packets exchanged between families, typically given by adults to children and younger relatives. These traditional envelopes symbolize good luck, prosperity and happiness.
Garrett Gonzales, junior criminology major, has helped organize this event alongside other student workers. Gonzales appreciates the importance of the envelope tradition and made sure to include this activity in the event.
“Guests can participate in making red envelopes, and they can use them for themselves for later or to send to their families,” Gonzales said.
The envelopes’ red color symbolizes luck, prosperity and blessings while the money represents wealth and abundance. These envelopes are commonly exchanged during the Lunar New Year’s Eve dinner.
Jim Brooks, International Student Advisor, helps support international students and interculturation of the university. Brooks discussed their past Lunar New Year events throughout the years.
“Participation was always high and I think the expectation is that people are looking for a brighter, newer year,” Brooks said. He continues to discuss the relevance of this event specifically to the university.
“This event is relevant to our school and society as a whole, they look for a brighter future.” Brooks said.
The event brought students together, looking forward to a prosperous year ahead.
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, generally welcomes the spring season. Those who celebrate honor ancestors, have family reunions, dinner parties, lantern festivals, traditional dragon dances and more.
China and several other countries in Asia celebrate the Lunar New Year. At dinner, many traditional dishes are served. Some include fish, dumplings, spring rolls, noodles and citrus fruits.
Rach’el Scott, junior psychology major, discussed what drew her to this event and what stood out to her.
“I would definitely come again,” Scott said. “I love the music, the vibes and I think the decorations are so cute. I love that we’re celebrating this culture.”
Donya Rouzbehi can be reached at donya.rouzbehi@laverne.edu
Donya Rouzbehi is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print/online journalism, and staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She has previously served as sports editor and a staff writer for the Campus Times, and is co-editor-in-chief of La Verne Magazine. Her other writing can be found at trillmag.com/author/donya-rouzbehi
Stephanie Amaya is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations and a staff photographer for the Campus Times. She has previously served as a staff writer.
