Students enthralled by Chinese celebration
BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer

ERIC SUCAR staff Representatives of the Fidelity Chinese School perform the "dragon dance" for pupils at the Robertsville Elementary School, Marlboro, in celebration of the Chinese New Year. See story by News Transcript staff writer Rebecca Morton on page 10.

MARLBORO - The year of the rat, signifying prosperity, is upon us as the lunar new year began on Feb. 7. Students from Marlboro's Chinese schools celebrated the new year with performances at several locations.

There are 12 animals represented in the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese new year is traditionally a 15-day holiday, according to information provided by Township Council President Jeff Cantor.

At the start of the council's meeting on Feb. 7 students of the Huaxia Chinese School performed two dances. Bethany Mo, Michelle Mo, Katherine Ho, Anny Cao, Tina Zhang and Joanna Zhang, with the help of instructors Jenny Jia and Connie Mo, delighted the audience. The dancers were presented with certificates by the council and Mayor Jonathan Hornik.

The Fidelity Chinese School also celebrated the new year by providing performances for residents. On Feb. 8 students of the Fidelity Chinese School visited three Marlboro schools to present an assembly that was filled with music, dance and martial arts.

At the Robertsville School the gymnasium was a sea of red with close to 700 students eager to see the performances. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend drives away bad luck, and students were asked to wear red to celebrate the holiday. The youngsters were in awe upon entering the room as they looked at the various instruments that had been placed on the stage.

The children were first treated to a performance by the Fidelity Chinese School orchestra of a medley of songs from the island of Formosa. Fidelity Chinese School Principal Eric Wu said he believes his school's orchestra is the only Chinese orchestra in the area.

Students jumped at the chance to answer questions and win prizes presented by performance coordinator Jessyca Susanto.

The pupils and staff members were treated to displays of folk dances, Chinese kung fu, Chinese yo-yo and a dragon dance. One young girl was frightened by the paper dragon which made its way through the crowd, while other youngsters reached up in the hope of touching the display.

When the presentation on kung fu began children could be seen in the crowd mimicking the hand motions of the performers.

Fifth-graders Jared Kempner, 11, and Dennis Stack, 11, said they enjoyed this portion of the assembly best.

"I liked when they did the moves and stuff," Jared said, adding that he studies martial arts.

The Fidelity Chinese School's yo-yo team is made up of high school students. The young men put on a display that had the children staring in awe as yo-yos bounced from one string to the next.

Jacob Pine, 10, said he has seen yo-yo performances before, but said this particular display in his opinion was better.

Taylor Spallanzani, 10, also enjoyed the yo-yos, but when asked if she thought she could do the yo-yo she said probably not.

"I thought it was great, it really was. I like the whole idea of starting the new year fresh and the luck that's involved," teacher Renee Walsh said of the Chinese traditions.

To continue the Chinese new year celebration Marlboro will host a parade on March 8 at 2 p.m. starting at theMarlboro Mall, at the corner of School Road West and Route 79, and traveling north along Route 79 to Marlboro High School. A program at the high school will feature the orchestra, the Chinese yo-yo, dances and other performances. Exhibits will be on display in the Marlboro High School cafeteria throughout the day.