Marlborough Celebrates the Year of the Horse

On February 19 and 20, the Marlborough campus transformed into a vibrant hub of tradition and joy as the community gathered to celebrate Lunar New Year. Hosted by Promoting AANHPI Togetherness and Heritage (PATH)—Marlborough’s affinity group for AANHPI students— in collaboration with SEOUL and the Chinese Culture Club, the two-day event offered a look into the rich customs of East Asian new year festivities.

2026 marks the Year of the Horse, which began on February 17. Known as the Spring Festival, Lunar New Year is a 16-day observance marking the start of a new zodiac cycle. The Horse embodies enthusiasm, speed, and intensity—all of which were on full display as students led the charge in sharing their traditions.

The Brittain Bradley Family Plaza buzzed with laughter and music as students explored a variety of cultural activities. “We chose activities from multiple different Asian cultures to celebrate the New Year for all of the AANHPI community,” explained Brooke C. ’29, one of PATH’s  co-leaders. “Some games included Chinese jump rope, Jiànzi (a traditional shuttlecock game), and Yut Nori, alongside crafts like origami and lantern making.”

This intentional variety ensured the festivities were as inclusive as they were educational, allowing the entire student body to engage with the diversity within the AANHPI diaspora. “It was nice seeing the students, especially the middle schoolers, willing to learn new games and have fun participating,” Brooke C. ’29 shared. “I hope that our community learned that Lunar New Year is a wonderful time to bring people together and celebrate.”

Of course, no celebration is complete without a feast. The menu was a thoughtful curation of flavors, featuring kimbap, chow mein, mango sticky rice, and more. “Lunar New Year is traditionally centered around family, food, and community,” said Natalie K. ’29, also a co-leader of PATH. “My favorite part was serving my classmates and seeing the joy on their faces. It reminded me of my halmoni (grandma) when she feeds our big family of more than ten grandchildren. There was something really meaningful about sharing food in that same spirit of care and generosity.”

The student organizers' efforts went beyond simply providing a fun afternoon; they fostered a deeper sense of belonging across the community. “I hope that all community members had fun at all of the celebrations and got the chance to experience an element of Lunar New Year that may have been unfamiliar to them,” added Colette W. ’29, co-leader of PATH. “We wanted to encourage people to appreciate diverse cultures because it promotes understanding and unity.”

As the Year of the Horse ushers in a season of bold moves and momentum, Marlborough’s celebration served as a powerful reminder of the strength found in honoring and sharing cultures and traditions.