Students made paper lanterns, tried calligraphy and watched a yo-yo troupe perform as Draper-area students in Canyons School District gathered to welcome the Lunar New Year, hosted by Corner Canyon Chargers — for the Year of the Horse. It wasn’t just an auditorium full of student performances, but a celebration created by students for students and the community.

Under the direction of Corner Canyon Chinese teacher Patty Chung, the school’s 150-member Chinese Club transformed the commons into an interactive cultural fair with tables of activities run by high school students guiding younger Chinese learners through hands-on activities. Many enjoyed making red envelopes or brushing characters symbolizing good fortune. 

The evening also included a performance of traditional Chinese yo-yo tricks by Su Mama Chinese Club from Taiwan. 

On stage, hundreds of students participated from Draper Elementary, Lone Peak Elementary, Draper Park Middle and Corner Canyon High, showcasing all levels of learning.

“We gave the opportunity to our Chinese students to perform on stage,” Chung said. “Sometimes, students don’t see the value of learning the language, but through the performance, they believe they can do something and build on it. Sometimes, students will not practice much, but when they want to understand the lyrics in a song they’re singing and how it ties into the culture, they learn it. They have more motivation because they want to master it. They have a deeper understanding of the culture.”

It also allowed students to watch siblings and friends perform and for parents to see their children’s growth in Mandarin.

“A lot of parents don’t hear their student talk at their home and don’t have a lot of opportunity to see their students in the classroom setting,” Chung said. “This is a good opportunity for them to see how students can progress in the program. It makes parents say, ‘hey, this was a good decision to put students in the program and learn a second language.’ For students, they remember these things learned while performing; it’s in their memory forever.”

Bryson Pope, father of Lone Peak dual immersion students, who learned Mandarin on a church mission, said he appreciates the extra element it adds to his children’s learning.

“My kids really love the challenge,” he said. “There are rumors about cutting the program, capping it at 32 students instead of 64. This is such a valuable part of their learning and of our community. There should be creative ways to continue the program. We love it, and many other families like ours, moved to the area because it is an attractive piece of their education and of the community.”

Second-grade son Sawyer likes learning new things in his dual immersion class and fourth-grade daughter Willow appreciates enjoys Chinese games. First-grader Emmeline said her class, “made lanterns out of paper” for the new year.

Their mother, Jennifer, said the customs are shared at home as they decorated with the lanterns and calligraphy. Grandparents from Taiwan send red envelopes with money, helping the kids connect classroom learning to family traditions.

Parent Craig Barton, whose children, Tessa, Arabella and Beau, are part of the program at Draper Park Middle and Lone Peak Elementary, said he learned Mandarin on a church mission.

“As a doctor, I don’t use it as much, but I gained a greater understanding of the world and of learning,” he said. “I felt my kids would benefit from it and enjoy it. They’re learning about the language, the culture, the world and gaining skills in reading, writing and speaking and putting some of those to use tonight.”

The event also gave Corner Canyon Chinese Club members the opportunity to plan for a major celebration.

“They started by reaching out to elementary and middle school teachers and asking, ‘Do you want your student to participate in this year’s Chinese celebration?’” Chung said. “It’s a good opportunity for their students and it’s cultural learning. Students are practicing the language and learning the culture. My club members also are learning all the skills with event organization and planning, which is why many join the club.”

Through it all, she said the night represents something beyond the celebration.

“The best thing is the community,” Chung said. “It’s more valuable for students to extend beyond the schools, and they connect to the community. We reached out to the community to try to get everybody involved.”