American High’s API Members Perform at Chinese New Year Parade
Shruthi Kumar
Staff Writer
American High School’s Asian Pacific Islander Club (API) performed at the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on February 15, 2014.
The Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade has been a tradition since 1958. This celebration and was televised on the KTVU Fox Channel 2 and KTSF Channel 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Thousands of people lined the streets by the time the American API performers danced to a number from the Legend of Korra. The crowd cheered as the forty API members led the performance directly in front of the AT&T float.
“Our performance is going to be on TV, which is something I’m really proud and excited about,” API choreographer Chloris Li (11) said. “We did a lot of practicing for today, and I definitely think we’re ready to show the world what API is all about.”
The API members arrived at San Francisco in the morning to practice their routine some more, then were free to spend their time sightseeing in the city.
“We came to SF by the 8:30 BART, and practiced a lot in anticipation of tonight,” API president Belle Lee (12) said. “We also split up into groups and saw different places, only to meet up later.”
When the time came, the API parade members danced in front of the crowd towards the middle of the parade.
“We entered the performance around 6:45-7, and got out before 8:00,” senior Matthew Downing said. “It was so much fun, I’m really glad I got to be a part of it. Not only did I learn a lot culture-wise, but the work that people put into the practice of the dance was amazing. It’s incredibly tough to coordinate a trip with over forty people, and the officers did an amazing job.”
Previous API members also came to help out, show support, and commemorate the success of the club on the special occasion.
“As a first-timer, the performance was really fun, but having fun with friends and meeting new people was great,” Downing said.
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