Peralta Gems

Celebrating the Year of the Snake at the District Service Center

Written by Mark Johnson | Mar 14, 2025 11:25:55 PM

On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Peralta Community College District headquarters buzzed with festive energy as we celebrated the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake. The event, filled with cultural richness and community spirit, brought together faculty, classified professionals, students, and district leadership for an afternoon of celebration and learning. 

The festivities commenced with attendees mingling and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere, welcomed by Laney College students at the sign-in table. A brief introduction by Chungwai Chum invited comments from of esteemed Trustees, Dr. Nicky González Yuen and Board President Louis Quindlen, Chancellor Dr. Tammiel Gilkerson, and Laney President Dr. Rudy Besikof, followed by a lively icebreaker to learn more about the Chinese zodiac and the Year of the Snake.  

The heart of the celebration was a series of interactive booths, each showcasing unique aspects of Asian cultures. Attendees had the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse traditions through engaging activities and delectable food tastings. 

  • Mien Booth: Nickey Heredia and Julie Saechao presented Mien culture, offering food tastings and egg net demonstrations. 
  • Chinese Booth: Hanna Zhang, a College of Alameda student, captivated participants with beautiful calligraphy demonstrations. 
  • Korean Booth:  Amy Lee shared the warmth of Korean New Year's soup, providing a taste of Korean tradition. 
  • Cambodian Booth: Cynthia Taing and Christina Taing-Rivera offered food tastings and showcased cultural items, enriching attendees’ understanding of Cambodian heritage. 
  • Malaysia/Vietnamese Booth: Angela Khoo, with Vietnamese candies provided by John Nguyen, shared the flavors of Malaysia and Vietnam. 

The event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, including employees Chungwai Chum, Nickey Heredia, Julie Saechao, Joan Su, Phoumy Sayavong, Amy Lee, Christina Taing-Rivera, Cynthia Taing, John Nguyen, Angela Khoo, Susan Cuong, and Chanpisey Hort. Student volunteers Hanna Zhang, Shuqin Liu, Xavia Chang, Xiaoxia Xie, Battuya Tuya, and Nana Suurinburnrrbaatar also played a crucial role in the event's success. 

Chungwai led a brief wrap-up activity, and Phoumy Sayavong closed the celebration with heartfelt thank-you remarks, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to making the Lunar New Year celebration a memorable and enriching experience. 

More photos of the celebration are posted here: https://peraltacolleges.smugmug.com/District/Events-/2025-Events/Lunar-New-Year-Celebration