Lunar New Year celebration brings a sense of belonging to Seattle Central

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, to celebrate the first days of the Year of the Horse, Seattle Central College held a Lunar New Year event from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Atrium for students. The Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) program, Student Leadership, and International Programs were responsible for planning and managing the celebration.

The event began with a long line of attendees waiting to check in and pick up food and drinks. Traditional Vietnamese food was served, including banh mi (a tofu version was also available for vegans and vegetarians), wings, and milk tea. International Programs assisted in distributing the meals, while Lunar New Year songs created a vibrant, lively, and festive atmosphere.

Regarding the purpose of the event, Molly Parn, an international student from Taiwan and a peer mentor with AANAPISI, said, “Lunar New Year is more than a celebration—it is a time to honor our traditions, welcome new beginnings, and bring the community together. I hope this event helps everyone feel at home and feel a sense of belonging.”

Parn also said, “Lunar New Year reminds us of resilience, gratitude, and hope. Celebrating our culture together on campus makes me feel proud, and I hope it inspires everyone to start the New Year with positivity and unity.”

Five activity tables were set up: three by AANAPISI, one by Student Leadership, and one by the M. Rosetta Hunter Art Gallery.

Mahjong, paper-cutting, and fortune-telling were the three tables hosted by AANAPISI. According to AANAPISI staff, the ideas for the tables were carried over from last year.

Joanna Maurera, an AANAPISI peer mentor from the Philippines, hosted the mahjong table. “I played mahjong with last year’s peer mentor and found it really interesting, so I signed up to host the table this year,” she said. Several attendees stopped by to learn the rules and join a round. The table remained lively as students took turns playing and engaged in friendly conversation.

The next table featured paper-cutting, hosted by AANAPISI peer mentors Xin Tong, who is from China, and Skyler Hofschneider.

“Paper-cutting is a traditional Chinese art form,” Tong said. “As a part of AANAPISI’s efforts, we want to bring it back to share more about Lunar New Year traditions, and it is an interactive way to engage attendees during the event. In Chinese culture, red symbolizes luck and prosperity, so we use red paper to create neatly cut flowers or auspicious words to hang on doors and windows, wishing for good fortune in the coming year.”

The fortune-telling table was hosted by Jienne Alegree and Kaung Pyi Kyaw, two peer mentors with AANAPISI. Participants gathered to receive lighthearted fortunes and to learn about traditional Lunar New Year customs associated with luck and new beginnings. The table created a welcoming space for students to reflect on the year ahead while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Student Leadership managed the card game table and photo booth, which featured traditional patterns reflecting East Asian culture. The card game table introduced students to popular Lunar New Year games, encouraging friendly competition, and cultural exchange. Meanwhile, the photo booth featured bright red and gold decorations symbolizing luck and prosperity, and provided themed props for students to take photos with friends and celebrate the occasion. Participants can find their event photos on Simple Booth.

The M. Rosetta Hunter Art Gallery hosted a DIY craft table where participants painted and decorated wooden horse figures. The activity allowed students to express their creativity while connecting with the Lunar New Year theme, as the horse symbolizes strength, energy, and good fortune in the zodiac.

Beyond the activity tables, the event created a lively atmosphere where many students wore traditional attire and took photos with friends. Groups gathered throughout the room, chatting, laughing, and reconnecting while enjoying the celebration. The space became not only a place to participate in activities, but also a meaningful opportunity for cultural exchange, community bonding, and shared joy during the Lunar New Year.

Around 2 p.m., the celebration reached a highlight with a vibrant lion dance performance. The rhythmic beat of drums filled the room as the colorful lion moved energetically through the crowd, symbolizing good luck and prosperity for the New Year. Students gathered to watch, cheer, and record the performance, creating a memorable experience that brought the Lunar New Year spirit to life.

The Lunar New Year celebration concluded around 3 p.m., leaving students with lasting memories and a stronger sense of community on the Seattle Central campus. From cultural activities and crafts to traditional performances and meaningful conversations, the event brought people together to honor and share diverse traditions. As the celebration ended, the festive spirit and sense of connection lingered, welcoming the New Year with hope and optimism.