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Photo courtesy of Westwood Chinese School. At Sunday's Chinese New Year Celebration, two young participants in Westwood Chinese School's Fashion Show don beautiful garments with intricate designs from Chinese culture.
2-07-2025 12:48am
Westwood Chinese School's 2025 New Year Celebration Draws Largest Crowd in the Annual Event's History
Darlene Cancell
Editor
By Grace Li for Westwood Chinese School
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Westwood Chinese School (WCS) ushered in the Year of the Snake with a vibrant and culturally enriching Chinese New Year Celebration at Westwood High School’s cafeteria, where the attendee turnout this year was the largest in the event's history. Families, students, and community members gathered to enjoy a morning of festivities, celebrating the traditions and heritage of the Chinese New Year.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Chinese School. A marital arts student demonstrates the kick that he has learned at Westwood Chinese School.The event featured a variety of activities designed to engage all ages. Highlights included:
- Talent Show: Students and community members showcased their skills in music, dance, and more.
- Photo Booth: Attendees captured fun moments with friends and family in a festive setting.
- Chinese Calligraphy Demonstration: Guests had the opportunity to learn about traditional Chinese writing and try their hand at creating characters.
- Fun Riddles: Brain-teasing games brought laughter and excitement to the celebration.
- Lucky Red Envelopes: Children received traditional red envelopes symbolizing good fortune.
- Traditional Snacks & Free Lunch: Guests enjoyed a variety of treats and a complimentary lunch, fostering a sense of community.
The celebration began with a talent show, where students displayed their creative abilities through performances that reflected the rich cultural heritage of China. Performers dazzled the audience with their traditional outfits during the Chinese Fashion Show.
The photo booth was a hit among families, offering a fun and memorable way to commemorate the day. Meanwhile, the Chinese calligraphy demonstration provided an educational experience, as children and adults gathered to learn the art of writing meaningful characters, adding a hands-on cultural touch to the event.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Chinese School. Attendees of Westwood Chinese School's New Year Celebration watch and learn from a Chinese calligraphy demonstration.Dance performances like Radiant Petals and Mongolian Melodies captivated attendees, as seen in the dynamic image below of the dance troupe in vibrant purple costumes. The energy continued with a graceful solo dance in a flowing pink dress, embodying elegance and cultural expression. Young dancers brought excitement with their modern, high-energy choreography, a delightful contrast to the traditional acts.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Chinese School. The student dance ensemble, Mongolian Melodies, performs a cultural dance at Westwood Chinese School's New Year Celebration.Another highlight was the yo-yo performance, where students demonstrated their skill and coordination in a lively routine, as seen in the below photo capturing their synchronized movements. The vibrant red outfits worn by the performers added a festive touch to this thrilling display.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Chinese School. A popular performance at Westwood Chinese School's New Year Celebration involved a routine with synchronized movements using yo-yos.The event also featured fun riddles, an activity that brought everyone together in laughter and friendly competition. Children were delighted to receive lucky red envelopes, a cherished Lunar New Year tradition symbolizing prosperity and blessings for the year ahead. A martial arts demonstration added a touch of excitement, as a student showcased their skills with an impressive display of agility and strength.
Musical performances included a heartfelt violin solo and saxophone solo, and choreographed dances that radiated joy and enthusiasm. The cultural richness extended to hands-on activities, such as crafting traditional red lanterns, engaging both children and adults in a creative celebration of the holiday.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Chinese School. A student holds a traditional red lantern for Chinese New Year.To cap it all off, attendees enjoyed a selection of snacks, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all. The 2025 WCS Chinese New Year Celebration brought together people of all ages to honor tradition, showcase talent, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Lunar New Year.
Thanks to Grace (Jieping) Li, principal of Westwood Chinese School, for contributing this article to Westwood Minute.
