The Asian Student Association (ASA) hosted a lively Lunar New Year celebration at the Unity Center from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The event featured a feast of Asian cuisine, including orange chicken, rice, and lo mein noodles, accompanied by a selection of fruit drinks filled with jelly clusters. For dessert, attendees enjoyed a variety of mochi flavors.

After guests gathered their food, Laphat Jean, ASA’s social media chair, introduced red envelopes adorned with gold designs.

“Historically, red envelopes, called hongbao, are traditionally filled with money and given to children and young adults. It is a way to pass on good fortune, luck, and wealth for a prosperous new year,” said Jean, a senior biology and chemistry student.

Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, is one of the most widely celebrated holidays across East and Southeast Asia, marking the beginning of a new lunar calendar year. While traditions vary by country, the core themes of renewal, family unity, and hope for good fortune remain universal. In 2025, the Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and elegance.

“For me, it’s a time to celebrate a new beginning,” said Catris McDonald, a senior biology student and ASA member. “It’s a time to give to others.”