Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24
On Monday, January 31st, members of the KMHS One Heart One Mind Many Cultures Club celebrated the Chinese New Year by making red and gold paper lanterns in the Millenium Room.
“The legend is that when the new year comes, the beast Nian comes down to try to scare the villagers, sometimes even eat them”, Miss Vogel started. “The lanterns are sort of there to make sure he doesn’t come but also for the beauty, the decoration of it. They are supposed to be a protective element, to light the way, but also to show the joy of the new year.”
Students used materials such as red and gold paper, scissors, pencils, glue sticks, rulers, and tape to make their own lanterns in commemoration of the Chinese New Year Tradition. These student-made lanterns will be used to decorate the Student Life Office as well as the hallway outside of it.
As they were working, the students snacked on Chinese fortune cookies and chocolate coins covered in red and gold colored foil.
Sophomore Bridget McLaughlin said, “I’ve always found the different aspects of the different Chinese New Year traditions fascinating. I only have a few cultures part of my life and there are so many more to learn about. I heard about this from all of the Student Life’s promotions as well as from enthusiastic members of the club and decided to join. I’m excited to learn about places and traditions that I’ve never been a part of before.”
Senior Romy Limonta shared, “I came here to experience a new world and a new culture.”
The KMHS One Heart One Mind Many Cultures Club is a club sponsored by the Student Life Office where the Kellenberg family can come together to share, take part in, and learn about each other’s cultures.