WEST ORANGE, NJ – The Year of the Rabbit was celebrated by the West Orange community on Jan. 20 in an enchanting evening of entertainment by middle and high school students.
The event, which also served as a fundraiser for the World Languages Scholarship Fund, was sponsored by West Orange High School, the Chinese Club, and Chinese Honor Society in collaboration with United Asian Voices of West Orange and featured a meal by Lotus Oriental Cuisine and Maschio’s Food Service, a raffle, a bake-off, and greetings from Shihong Zhang of the Chinese Teacher’s Association. The program began with the traditional Dragon Dance performed by the Edison Middle School students. Musical performances by the WOHS Chinese Club, Roosevelt Middle school and a Bejing Opera Mask Art song by CP students followed, and Liberty Middle School demonstrated the Dragon Dance.
Arts and crafts projects for young people were set up throughout the Tarnoff Cafeteria at West Orange High School. A sugar painting artist, demonstrating "edible art," was a popular station.
The Chinese Club continued with entertaining K-Pop Hwaa, Mongolian, and Dai dances. Senior Shane Donagher got applause for his impressive falsetto version of “The Song of the Pear Blossom" and the Orchestra Quintet performed a selection from “Mulan.”
“While the preceding Year of the Tiger was seen as a powerful period of action, and, at times, impulse, the rabbit sign is expected to usher in a softer period focused on self-reflection,” according to an NBC News Report.
The evening ended on a high note with the Drum Dance, ringing in a good new year that is hoped to bring positivity and prosperity.
SEE ALL THE PHOTOS OF THE LUNAR GALA HERE.
World Languages Supervisor Felix Plata, WOHS Principal Oscar Guerrero, United Asian Voices Vanisha Janaki (WOHS Junior), Fannie Chan Jarvis, Cecelia Pulmano, Caroline Harris, Song Yi, and Assistant Superintendent Hayden Moore
Ms. Dongmei Li, Ms. Chiaohan Yu, Amie Curbelo, Ms. Jun Lewin, Mr. Ted McGurrin, Ms. Yajing Li, Mr. Felix Plata, Maya Anand, Rosie Kwok.
EMS: Acting Asst. Principal Dr. Keri Orange-Jones, Acting Principal Steve Melendez, Ms. JunLewin, Ms. Dongmei Li, EMS Counselor Jeff Lafoon.
Mayor Susan McCartney with Mr. and Mrs. Li
Dragon Dance
K-Pop Dance
RMS students
Drum Dance
