On May 9th, the Linden High School gym buzzed with energy and excitement as students, teachers, families and community members gathered for our highly anticipated ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ.
Honoring rice as a global staple, the event brought us together to celebrate nature's abundance and the rich tapestry of our community cultures.
๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
Set up all around the gym were fun interactive cultural stations. Students eagerly moved from one station to the next, practicing new skills, snapping photos in traditional gipao dress, winning chopstick races, and sampling sweet and savory treats. Over a dozen hands-on booths invited participants to explore and engage:
Calligraphy writing
Peking Opera Mask Painting
Chopstick Race & Origami
Chinese Paper Cutting Face painting and Henna Gipao & Saree Photo Booth
Sushi Making
Bubble Tea Tasting Yoyo & Jianz) Playing
Ping Pong Playing
๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ
The cheers amplified through the whole building during the featured performances by special guests. Dr. Zhang's one-man band opened the show-the students clapped along and even turned on their phone lights to interact with the music. Next, the Nai:Ni Chen Dance Company presented Chinese art with elegant choreography. They invited students onto the stage to learn ribbon dance techniques and kihu hand movements.
Finally, our students and staff took the spotlight as they came on the stage, danced a lively Bollywood number together with the Dance School teachers, bringing even more joy and cross-cultural celebration onto the stage. The performances were exciting, filled with thrilling highs and delightful surprises.
๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ & ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
After the joyful performance, the attendees enjoyed delicious Chinese food and a variety of rice dishes from East Asia, South Asia, Africa, Latin America, and beyond. During dinner, two lucky winners were drawn in the raffle. The celebration reached its climax when it was announced that it was Mayor Derek Armstead's birthday! A cake was presented, and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to our honorable mayor and all those celebrating birthdays in May.
As we close out Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it feels especially meaningful that our community can come together to honor nature's bounty, celebrate the richness of our diverse traditions, and reinforce the unity that binds us all. This festival is a heartfelt thank-you to our entire community.
Special Thanks to:
-The Honorable Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden for celebrating with us and for being such a strong advocate of community unity.
-The Superintendent and Board of Linden Public Schools for their support of cultural events that enrich our school community.
-The Multilingual Department Director, Ms. Orelien for her vision, inspiration, and guidance and the ML department supervisors, and instructional coaches for their support.
-Principal Kegnse for approving and believing in this initiative,
-LHS IT Department for their onsite technology support, for helping create such an engaging and festive atmosphere with music LHS Colleagues for giving a vibrant presentation of indian culture at the festival.
-LHS Janitor Team and the ROTC Volunteers for their generous help with setup and clean up - your efforts made a big difference!
-LHS Chinese and Asian Club - your dedication to planning, preparing, and executing this event was the driving force behind its success.
Finally, to all the students, teachers, parents, and community members who joined us and belleved in us - you are the heart and soul of the Rice Festival. This celebration is for you, and because of you. Thank you all for making the 2nd International Rice Festival an incredible success!