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Celebrating the Year of the Horse

From themed Chapel services to dumpling making and red envelopes to lion dancing, the EA community has immersed itself in learning about and celebrating the cultural traditions of the Lunar New Year, one of the most important festivals of the year among many Asian countries.

The 15-day celebration follows the lunar calendar and began on February 17 this year. Observed across China and in countries including Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore, the Lunar New Year is marked by music, family gatherings, festive meals, gift exchanges, and symbolic traditions as communities let go of the past year and welcome the new one with joy and anticipation. This Year of the Horse symbolizes passion, change, strength, freedom, and perseverance.

With festive activities across campus—and many dressed in red for themed Lunar New Year dress-down days—the EA community celebrated in a multitude of ways.


Students in all divisions learned about the traditions of the holiday in Chapel:

  • In Lower School Chapel, students shared the history, legends, zodiac animals, traditions, and symbolic foods of the holiday, highlighting themes of good fortune, gratitude, and respect for elders. They also connected Lunar New Year to the Stripes—especially the Stripe of Kindness—encouraging classmates to care for one another and appreciate the many traditions within their community.
  • In Upper School Chapel, members of the Asian American Student Union (AASU) and Mandarin students highlighted the holiday as a time of renewal, family, gratitude, and community. The celebration included a student-created video and a performance of “Going Up the Spring Mountain,” sharing wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity in the year ahead.
  • In Middle School Chapel, Mandarin students, alongside the Middle School Orchestra and Choir, presented in honor of the holiday. Students also viewed a student-created Lunar New Year video highlighting the traditions and cultural significance of the festival.

The Mandarin classroom became a whirlwind of Lunar New Year activities, including hotpot making and tasting, boba tea making and tea tasting, a chopsticks race, a calligraphy corner, Mandarin New Year songs, watching the Lunar New Year Gala, a festive photo booth, and even video chatting with Middle School Mandarin Teacher Sophie Fu's family in China!

"Our goal is to inspire students to appreciate and embrace another culture, fostering a broader perspective on diversity through learning about the rich traditions of Lunar New Year," Mrs. Fu said. 

Led by the Asian American Student Union (AASU), Upper School students also enjoyed the always-popular dumpling-making activity, while the Middle School AASU hosted a horse-themed origami activity and New Year treats.

And, thanks to the generosity of numerous Lower School parents, students welcomed families into classrooms throughout the week to share traditions and personal experiences. From presentations on Chinese and Korean Lunar New Year customs to practicing writing the Chinese characters for "horse" and "good fortune," Lower School students gained an in-depth look at the rich traditions of the holiday.

May the Year of the Horse inspire energy, perseverance, and exciting strides forward for all.