Eagle Era

How Lunar New Year fosters awareness and community

By Anthony Liu

Each winter, Lunar New Year is celebrated by communities around the world through family gatherings, traditional foods, and festivities that welcome renewal and prosperity. Lunar New Year, celebrated by Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities among others, is one of the most important holidays in much of East and Southeast Asia. On campus, however, recognition of the holiday remains relatively limited despite its deep cultural significance for many students at AHS.  

For Dongyu Yeh (12), Lunar New Year is more than a date on the calendar. It is central to Taiwanese culture and family identity, even if its presence feels diminished in the United States.  

“Lunar New Year is a giant part of Taiwanese culture, and many of my relatives seriously celebrate it,” Yeh said. “Everyone in my family drives in from across the country, there are fireworks, and people get weeks off from work and school—kind of like Winter Break.”  

Yeh explained that celebrations look different at home in America. While traditions are still observed, they are smaller in scale. “My family here celebrates with a New Year’s dinner and giving out hong bao,” Yeh said. “I also call my relatives back in Taiwan and watch their celebrations from here.”  

On campus, however, Yeh has noted little to no recognition of the holiday. “To be honest, I haven’t really seen any Lunar New Year celebrations at school,” Yeh said. “I know the Taiwanese Students Association has an event of some sort, but that’s pretty much it.”  

Yeh added that this lack of visibility has remained consistent over the years, particularly in the United States, where Lunar New Year often receives less attention than Western holidays.  

“In America, it’s always more lackluster,” Yeh said. “Yet, in Taiwan, it has remained incredibly important.”  

Archit Agarwal (12) does not personally celebrate Lunar New Year but believes its recognition on campus carries broader value. “Even though it’s not part of my culture, I think celebrating Lunar New Year at school helps people learn about traditions they wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to,” Agarwal said. “It reminds students that our campus represents more than just one background.”  

Agarwal also noted that cultural celebrations can help foster inclusivity when they are visible and intentional. “When schools acknowledge holidays like Lunar New Year, it shows respect for students’ identities,” Agarwal said. “It makes people feel seen, even if it’s something as simple as an announcement or a small event.”  

Both students emphasized that recognition does not have to mean disruptive changes, but rather can mean meaningful gestures that acknowledge the holiday’s importance.  

“I don’t expect us to get the day off or anything like that,” Yeh said. “But mentioning it in announcements or doing a little more would be appreciated.” 

As schools increasingly emphasize diversity and inclusion, Lunar New Year presents an opportunity to move beyond surface-level awareness. For students who celebrate it, recognition affirms cultural identity. For others, it offers a chance to learn and engage with traditions outside their own.  

While Lunar New Year remains largely overlooked, student perspectives show how powerful acknowledgment can be. Even brief recognition can make students feel proud, respected, and part of a community that genuinely values their culture and identity. As Agarwal said, “It really makes a difference just to be seen and included.”