"I think it's important to share that not only with people outside Chinese culture but also other Asian Americans because we all celebrate differently, so it's a way for us to educate, but also learn about one another's unique traditions," said Kaitlyn L. '26, president of the Asian American Association. That's exactly what Flintridge Prep's Lunar New Year Festival set out to do on February 17: celebrate what's shared and honor what's different.

Organized by the Asian American Association (AAA), with support from the parent volunteer network and BRIDGE (Belonging, Responsibility, Inclusivity, Diversity, Grounded in Equity), the Miller Theater was transformed into something that felt less like a school event and more like an open invitation into a home. Students picked up brushes and tried their hand at calligraphy, sampled shumai and almond cookies, listened to performances on a Guzheng and Hulusi, and asked questions about traditions that were new to them. It was designed to be an interactive, hands-on experience.

That intention was central to how faculty advisor and math teacher Michelle Gee approached the event. "The goal was to create a joyful and celebratory atmosphere," she said. "You know that the expectation is to eat, laugh, and play. And I really hope that we were able to create that kind of atmosphere where students can find a place where they can form a community bond and connect across cultures while at Flintridge Prep."

Part of what made the festival meaningful was its recognition that Asian culture is not a monolith. The event welcomed students of all backgrounds and acknowledged that even among Asian American students, traditions vary widely. A student whose family celebrates the Vietnamese Tết might recognize the lanterns and the emphasis on family reunion but encounter entirely different foods or customs than a classmate whose family observes the holiday in a Chinese or Korean household.

Special thanks to parents Wendy Fu, Joyce Lin, and Lisa Li, whose contributions with decorations, set up, and bringing food truly helped make this festival a success.