Collegiate Students Bring in the Chinese New Year with Celebration

BY ASHLEY JONES
Chinese language students at Collegiate brought in the Year of the Monkey Thursday night with the Third Annual Chinese New Year Celebration in the Estes Student Center.

With help from faculty, staff and Upper School students, the Lower and Middle Schoolers presented the Chinese culture through song, dance and martial arts performances.
 
Mei Dong, a Middle School Chinese teacher, said the celebration has grown each year and is part of Collegiate’s mission of inclusiveness and diversity.
 
“We are trying to incorporate not just language, but the culture,” said Ms. Dong. “Kids memorize by song. That’s how powerful the music is and the culture they learn. We take them through it and we tell them this is how Chinese people celebrate Chinese New Year. We perform, we have costumes, we have food and we have games and gatherings.”
 
Donna Suro, parent of Bowen and Camden Suro,who both participated in the celebration, said she loved the program. Her daughter Bowen added that Chinese is her favorite class and that it’s not as hard as people say.
 
Brandon Watson was also a participant in the performance and said he was very excited to show what he learned.
 
“It was a wonderful sight to see him [perform] and a proud parent moment,” said Brandon’s mother, Mironda Starke, who is also a Collegiate 1st Grade teacher.
 
Following the program, students, faculty, staff and guests enjoyed small Chinese dishes and games in Centennial Hall.
 
 
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