On January 30th, VSA hosted its 2nd annual Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival. The MCs brought great energy throughout the night. Under the fairy lights, applause and cheers erupted from every corner of the quad, echoing through the night after each traditional dance performance.
We witnessed spectacular performances from various VSA dance teams, including fan dancing from Rancho and Troy, lion dancing from Loara and Magnolia, and more. Fingers pointed and heads turned as the watermelon-eating contest unfolded, filling the air with laughter—especially when the stage table collapsed under the dedication of the enthusiastic participants.
“Walk down that stage and strike a pose to show off your áo dài!” The spirit of Tết was alive as students and families gathered at tables or explored the booths lined up for them: food booths hosted by different clubs, a wishing tree, Lô Tô (Vietnamese BINGO), Bầu Cua Cá Cọp, calligraphy, an altar, informational tri-folds, and a photo booth.
Behind the Scenes
In the months leading up to the event, the VSA board meticulously planned and prepared for the festival. Students in Vietnamese classes collaborated to create informational tri-folds showcasing the significance of Tết and Vietnamese traditions. VSA’s traditional dance teams practiced during the second period, while the lion dance team rehearsed after school—you may have heard their drumming across campus!
President Tiffany Nguyen and publicist Lora Tran hand-painted props in the library. The VSA board assembled lanterns, designed posters, and set up decorations. The MCs rehearsed their scripts, and dance teams from Loara and other schools fine-tuned their performances.
All of this was done to welcome everyone to our Tết Festival!
Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Quang Vo, Mr. Sean Phi, Mrs. Tulinh Duong, Mr. Hieu Nguyen, the VSA Board, clubs, students, families, and everyone who helped promote and celebrate with us! Another cherished memory has been added to the book—here’s to more to come next year!
To stay updated on VSA events and plans, follow us on Instagram: @loarahsvsa.
Join our bi-weekly lunch meetings on Wednesdays in Mr. Phi’s Room 405—you don’t have to be Vietnamese to join!
Family Memories
by Pearl Ta
Sat on my altar is a collection of flowers,
Buddha trinkets,
a plate waiting for an offering of snacks and fruit to be prayed upon,
electric incense, and electric lotus flowers.
The center of the lotus lights up warmly and invitingly,
gathering our ancestors and children of the future,
reminding us of family, each Lunar New Year.
Remembering the familiar moments of cheer,
smiles, hugs, kisses, and
the tears shed—
the sighs, the grunts,
and the arguments over the contrasts of our generations.
Yet, these people we hold dearly in our hearts, till the end.
The lotus, like love and care, still blooms to the top,
even through the mud of circumstances.
Happy Lunar New Year!
