By Ayumi Cullen P’25
MICDS Passport Series “hopped” forward into the Year of the Rabbit with our diverse School community wishing each other prosperity and blessings on Friday, January 27. The Olson Hall Presentation Room was filled with many red and qipao dresses hosting over 65 parents and faculty members in celebrating the Lunar New Year!
The Lunar New Year event committee led by Ellen Song P’26, ’24 spent the last two months planning this Passport Series event to celebrate one of the biggest holidays in the world. What was new this year was featuring the traditions of the countries and cultures that are represented by our own MICDS community, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Korea. This was led beautifully in the informative presentation by Mary Chou P’23. Guests were entertained by the elegant Tai Chi performance by Zhui Chen P’26, the rhythmical demonstration of noodle-making by a chef from the local restaurant, Corner 17 (family business of Danfeng (Rachel) Wei P’29, ’31), and artistic Chinese calligraphy by Jenny Loeb P’20, ’25. Director of Global Learning Erin Hamill and MICDS Parents Association President Kelly Wright P’25, ’27, ’29, amongst other parents, took part in tossing the yusheng salad, exquisitely prepared by Yen Jan P’22, ’25, ’31 and her daughter Riley ’31. The tossing (high) is to wish good fortune and prosperity for the MICDS community, following a tradition typically practiced in Malaysia and Singapore. Along with the fresh noodles and yusheng salad, a number of other delicious and artistically presented food items were brought in for all the guests to enjoy. Many of the dishes symbolized good fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Earthy-fragrant pu-erh tea, served by Li Cheng P’36, complemented the food and desserts.
Many parents and guardians expressed their excitement and appreciation for the event, the educational presentation, the beautiful decorations, the wonderful performances, and the amazing food. Carol Loeb ’59, GP’20, ’25 shared her joy in attending her first Passport Series event: «The diversity of this community has grown so much and it is so exciting.» A parent of some prospective students, who recently toured the campus and was invited by the Admission team, enjoyed the event and is excited to hopefully be part of this School community.
The Passport Series committee is currently working on the details of some upcoming events for the St. Louis walking tour and the excursion to an international food market. Please look out for the invites! Meanwhile, if you have any ideas for creating an event to celebrate your heritage and culture, we would love to work with you to make it happen! Please contact us at passportseries@micds.org to get started.