On Thursday, February 15, Peter Geng '20 and his parents, Yan Qian and Xiaoping, presented a Chinese New Year's Dinner to our Chinese students, their advisors, and Head of School Tad Roach. Continuing the tradition they started at Peter's previous school, the Gengs brought more than 18 meat and fish dishes to the celebration, made homemade dumplings in the Arts Center kitchen, and decorated the Arts Center with colorful red and gold banners, displaying blessings for health and wealth in the New Year. The Gengs gave great thanks and praise for family, including the extended family St. Andrew's provides for their son and all of the Chinese students. Dinner was complete with oranges for good luck, many traditional Chinese sweets sent by other Chinese parents, and traditional red envelopes for the students from international student advisors, Chiachyu Chiu and Louisa Zendt.

On Friday, Sage Dining Service joined in, offering a "Taste of Home" at lunch (in place of the regular "Tastes of Home," a cultural experience started by Richard Zhang '18, usually served on Saturday night). The full community enjoyed a feast of Chinese specialties, homemade by Chef Ray. The celebration of the Chinese New Year continued after lunch with a well-attended voluntary chapel service during which seniors shared their own Chinese New Year's traditions with a slideshow of colorful photos and stories.

Richard Zhang '18 commented, "Many students attended the voluntary chapel on Friday, and we were able to introduce this great holiday to many members of the community, which made all of us feel like we were at home. I hope that more students from different countries and backgrounds will celebrate their cultures and festivals with the SAS community too!"