Marlborough Celebrates Lunar New Year

On February 7, Marlborough welcomed the Lunar New Year with a spirited lunchtime celebration hosted by Exploring Asian Societies Together (EAST)—Marlborough’s affinity group for students who identify as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI)—and SEOUL and Chinese Cultural Clubs. Bringing together students, faculty, and staff, members of our community honored the traditions, heritage, and rich customs of East Asian cultures. Sarah K. ’28, Middle School representative of EAST shared, “Not only does [celebrating Lunar New Year] bring together the Marlborough community, it also teaches us about the diverse culture of AANHPI groups and the significance of the Lunar New Year for them.”

2025 celebrates the Year of the Snake, which began on January 29. Also known as the Spring Festival, Lunar New Year is a 15-day observance that marks the arrival of spring and the start of a fresh year based on the Asian lunisolar calendar. The snake, a symbol of transformation and intellect in many Asian cultures, embodies qualities that resonate with Marlborough’s values of lifelong learning and growth. Those who are born in the Year of the Snake are thought to be mysterious, smart, and wise, valuing knowledge and forming deep bonds in their relationships. The qualities of the snake encourage us to approach challenges with resilience and to seek wisdom in our personal and academic journeys.

The afternoon featured an array of activities that allowed our community to immerse themselves in Lunar New Year traditions. One such activity was decorating red envelopes, known as hongbao, a tradition symbolizing good wishes and luck for the year ahead. The community also learned how to play the Chinese string game of fan sheng, where players create intricate shapes with a string between their fingers. Traditional Korean games added to the excitement with students playing Gonggi—where players throw and catch small colorful stones, and Ddakji—where players throw folded paper tiles at each other to flip their opponent's tile. Every element of the day was designed to honor the spirit of the holiday and enrich our community with the customs that make it so meaningful. Audrey L. ’28, a Middle School representative of EAST, reflected on the experience, saying, “It really made my day seeing all of our planning and hard work come to fruition and see the positive impact it had on our community. I loved sharing traditional games from my culture with others and watching everyone have fun playing them.”

Terin L. ’27, an EAST student leader, shared her excitement: “My favorite part of the celebration was to see everyone, from my friends, teachers, and staff, all excited to participate in the festivities!”

Traditional Chinese food was also served, including chow mein, fried rice, egg rolls, and rice cakes. The flavors and aromas added to the lively atmosphere, offering the community a delicious way to connect with the holiday’s culinary traditions. Alicia M. ’26 expressed, “My favorite part of our Lunar New Year event was seeing everyone get excited about the variety of food we provided. Food has the capability to bond people across cultures, and it is always sweet to see everyone get excited to try a part of our culture.”

At Marlborough, we recognize that cultural traditions like Lunar New Year are more than just moments of joy—they are opportunities to foster understanding, inclusion, and a deep sense of belonging. Angela Lin, a faculty co-advisor to EAST, reflected on the significance of the occasion, saying, “I hope our community gained appreciation for how some Asian cultures celebrate and honor the Lunar New Year with food, games, and crafts from a variety of countries. But more importantly, how we all gather in community to honor our heritage and traditions.” 

Lorelei D. ’26, an EAST student leader, also emphasized the importance of coming together as a community, stating, “Lunar New Year really shows our celebration of different cultures and genuine interest in learning more about our fellow peers. By joining together, the Marlborough community demonstrates our support for one another and the identities we share.” By embracing and sharing traditions of the diverse backgrounds that make up our student body and the melting pot of Los Angeles, we strengthen our community and reaffirm our commitment to celebrating the uniqueness of each individual. 

This event was a testament to the power of cultural exchange, allowing students to take pride in their identities while inviting others to learn and engage with traditions they may not have experienced before. Thank you to EAST, SEOUL, and the Chinese Cultural Club for their leadership in bringing Lunar New Year to life and for reminding our entire community that by learning about each other, we create a stronger and more inclusive Marlborough community. As we step into the Year of the Snake, we look forward to a year of wisdom, growth, and meaningful connections within our community.