CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – Hacienda La Puente Unified brought the Year of the Snake alive during a visually stunning and melodious Lunar New Year’s celebration on Feb. 18 featuring the student talents of Glen A. Wilson and Los Altos high schools, and Mesa Robles and Newton middle schools, who honored the holiday’s cultural heritage with song and dance.

Wilson High senior Taylor Hornell, who attended previous District Lunar New Year celebrations, said he was eager for an opportunity to kick off the cultural festivities and provided opening remarks in Mandarin, with others speaking in English and Korean.

“This is my first time doing the opening statement for Lunar New Year and I’m honored and excited to be part of the event,” Hornell said. “My mother is Chinese and I wanted to read the statement in honor of our family culture. Lunar New Year is a time of renewal and being with family, so it’s great I can spend this time with my friends at school as well.”

Dozens of HLPUSD Chinese and Korean students brought their own style and creative expressions to traditional and modern visual and performing arts, including tai chi, hip hop, and instrumental performances ranging from the guzheng (Chinese piano) to the electric guitar.

Los Altos students performed a Dragon Dance, twirling a dragon puppet to symbolize good luck in the new year. The Dragon Dance was followed by a spirted K-Pop dance performed by Wilson High students, outfitted in retro T-shirts emblazoned with the logos of ‘90s rock bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, and Blink 182. Wilson High School freshman Ella Tam also performed a captivating solo on the guzheng.

“This event highlights some of what makes HLPUSD so special,” Hacienda La Puente Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts Dr. Benita Scheckel said. “Our students were able to collaborate with their teachers to express their cultural fonts of knowledge in artistic ways and that is truly beautiful.”

Mesa Robles students donned flower and jewel-bedecked masks to perform a Chinese Opera Dance, while Newton students performed a dance inspired by the Chinese workout song “Little Apple,” finishing with students from both schools participating in a tai chi performance.

Chinese hip hop and traditional dances were performed by Los Altos and Wilson students, respectively, and Wilson High students showed off their rhythmic chops in a Korean drum performance. After closing remarks, Los Altos students completed the night with musical performances.

Los Altos senior Yuxuan Pan played electric guitar in the final performance of the evening, receiving cheers from the audience and his family members.

“This was very exciting for me, but I was very nervous,” Pan said. “I have been playing the guitar for two years now.”

The students were coached by Wilson, Los Altos, Mesa Robles, and Newton afterschool language teachers.

“Hacienda La Puente Unified celebrates all cultures, and the District’s Lunar New Year event is an example where we can gather all of our community members to experience the diversity in our District,” HLPUSD Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “Whether it’s through our dual immersion programs or cultural enrichment programs and activities, we strive to create an inclusive environment where every student has the opportunity to embrace and learn from the rich cultural tapestry that makes our community unique.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

HLPUSD_LUNARNEWYEAR1: Glen A. Wilson High School students perform on Korean drums during Hacienda La Puente Unified’s annual Lunar New Year celebration, held Feb. 18. The night showcased the style and talent of HLPUSD Korean and Chinese students, with traditional and modern performances of music, tai chi, hip hop, and more.

HLPUSD_LUNARNEWYEAR2: Glen A. Wilson High School freshman Ella Tam demonstrates her talent on the guzheng, a Chinese piano, during Hacienda La Puente Unified’s annual Lunar New Year celebration, held Feb. 18. Dozens of HLPUSD Chinese and Korean students showed off their creativity with traditional and modern music and dance performances.

HLPUSD_LUNARNEWYEAR3: Los Altos High School senior Yuxuan Pan plays electric guitar during the finale of Hacienda La Puente Unified’s annual Lunar New Year celebration, held Feb. 18. The event highlights the diverse culture of HLPUSD students and communities through traditional and modern song and dance.