The Asian Student Association is keeping Saints fed, entertained and educated with a robust series of campus activities.
After kicking off the Lunar New Year with a lunch on January 31, a lantern festival was held February 13 to wrap up the traditional 15-day new year celebration period. Students gathered in Roger Bacon Hall to paint paper lanterns to welcome the Year of the Snake.
“Everyone was encouraged to be creative and to decorate their lanterns to symbolize what they’re seeking for the new year,” said ASA president Anna Patel ’25.
The lanterns are customarily lit with a candle and released (the group had to skip this step), which Patel said symbolizes letting go of the past and embracing the future.
“It’s a meaningful way to spread the joy and positivity of the new year holiday,” she said.
Angelina Sun ’25 (above, left, with Nick Barragato '27) regularly attends ASA events, and enjoyed painting her lantern in the style of Monet.
“In Chinese culture, the lantern festival marks the end of the Lunar New Year while signifying a time for togetherness and unity,” she said. “ASA’s event fostered a strong sense of community, bringing us together to bond and express creativity through the art of lantern painting!”
Local calligraphy artist Richard Wong visited campus January 27 to demonstrate his art and create bookmarks with students’ names in Chinese characters.
“Activities like these are a way for Siena students to see Asian cultures as they actually are, not just through the lens of social media,” said Patel. “People can have conversations, ask questions, and create a sense of community that celebrates the diversity of life on our campus.”
Josie Swann ’25 said she’s enjoyed all of the ASA events she has attended.
“The ASA always has super fun events! My favorite was the calligraphy session, where I got to learn a lot about Chinese calligraphy and practice some, too.”