Alice Wang ‘26
Lunar New Year, one of the most widely celebrated festivals across East and Southeast Asia, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar on January 29. During the week, ASEA (Association of South-East and East Asians) coordinated several events, bringing the community together and making international students feel at home by celebrating the significant cultural occasion.
During the Evening Chapel, decorated with red lanterns that signify good fortune and prosperity, on January 28, students gathered to celebrate the theme of the Lunar New Year. Throughout the service, a few members from ASEA shared poems and readings in their native languages, honoring their heritage and fostering a sense of cultural appreciation within the community. Others shared their personal experiences and cultural traditions during this special time of the year. Later, Dr. Hills delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the importance of making continuous improvements, where getting one percent better each day for one year will allow one to become thirty-seven times better by the end as the improvements compound over time. The service concluded with a singing performance from Hannah Cha ’25 and Alice Wang’s ’26 singing performance of the song “Eyes, Nose, Lips” in both Korean and Chinese, serving as a preview of the Lunar New Year Gala on Friday in the same week.
The Gala, organized by ASEA, on January 31 showcased ten student performances that included a diverse range of acts such as singing, dancing, magic tricks, and instrumental playing, all brought to life by a talented group of 22 performers. Highlights of the performance include: a song presented by the band featuring Khoi Nguyen ’25, Vivi Tran ’26, Ian Cho ’26, and Ryan Kim ’26, a dance by the duet Hannah Cha ’25 and Si Ah Jang ’27, and a magic card trick by Daniel Song ’25.
In between the performances, raffle tickets were drawn for a chance to win gift cards. Video clips of St. Mark’s parents’ blessings for their children were also displayed.