Celebrating Chinese Culture in the Caldwells

West Essex High School students learned about the Chinese culture and enjoyed authentic food during the West Essex High School’s recent Chinese New Year Celebration.

Members from both Chinese Club and Chinese Honors Society helped organize the event.

During the festival, students watched a video of a Chinese New Year Celebration concert featuring performances with a variety of cultural elements from 56 ethnic groups. In addition, a couplet, written with Chinese paint brush by Chinese IV student Laurence Zhang, was posted outside both sides of the door.

“Since the Chinese department is fairly new to West Essex, we are trying our best to spread awareness to the school,” said Lizzy Sohn and Michael Wang, vice president and president of the Chinese Honor Society and Chinese Club, in a joint statement. “Whenever we meet, we usually discuss the cultural factors that are currently going on in China. For example, in February, we gathered to celebrate Chinese New Year and plan for the party. Although the Chinese New Year ended two weeks ago, we decided to have our party today due to PARCC testing, and we are so happy it turned out so well.”

“I think it’s really nice when we get to appreciate other cultures other than our own,” observed Melanie Uceda, a senior from Fairfield.

Photo 1: Felicity Lac, a sophomore from Fairfield, and Quentin Bossaert, a freshman from North Caldwell, enjoy the food at the West Essex High School’s recent Chinese New Year Celebration.

Photo 2: West Essex High School teacher Lijuan Yan and student Jake Russin, a junior from Fairfield, talk during the celebration during the high school’s unit lunch.

Send Caldwell news tips and releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com