VACAVILLE CELEBRATES YOUTH, CHINESE NEW YEAR
For a little while Saturday, Three Oaks Community Center in Vacaville offered a peek into Asia, with intricate decorations, cuisine and entertainment to match.
`Twas the annual Chinese New Year celebration and scholarship fundraiser sponsored by the Chinese American Association of Solano County, now in its 27th year.
The evening kicked off with dancers with Eastern Ways Martial Arts of Sacramento performing a lion dance, a good luck necessity in Chinese culture. First came a dragon chasing the Pearl of Wisdom, followed by lion dancers ushering in a fresh beginning and chasing out the previous year's ills.
Colorful lions of all sizes undulated around the room, tilting toward attendees offering paper money to ensure good luck. Meanwhile, drums beat and the Monkey King strutted his stuff to the delight of observers.
As the 250 attendees enjoyed a meal including char siu pork, honey walnut chicken, broccoli beef and more, emcees Brian Travis and Anna Eaton offered welcomes.
C.C. Yin, a CAASC founder, businessman and philanthropist, spoke of the event being not an Asian one but a celebration for all cultures. It's another way to connect, he mused, to enjoy each other.
Thirty two years ago, Yin and his family came to Vacaville and raised a family here, he said, and made strong connections along the way.
“We have so many chances to build so many friendships, our association,” he shared. “These are really the values of our life.”
He offered wishes for an outstanding new year.
“I wish you all a great holiday and year ahead of you,” he said. “Thank you for your friendship.”
Caroline Villareal, CAASC president, echoed the sentiment.
“May the new year bring you happiness, prosperity and good fortune,” she said.
More entertainment followed, including performances by the Xiao Pei Dance School, 720 Martial Arts Academy and more.
Scholarship winners were later recognized. They include:
• Patrick Fabi, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy
• Kaden Wilde, Rodriguez High School
• Chloe Abrams, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy
• Sydney Jade-Lin Barber, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy
• Alexandra Baylis, Vacaville High School
• Caleb Borchers, Vacaville High School
• Pierce Burnett, St. Patrick — St. Vincent High School
• Gabrielle Caliz, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy
• Benjamin Del Castillo, Justin Siena High School
• Destiny Eickenberry, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy
• Jonathan Hargraves, Jesse Bethel High School
• Anika Lum, Early College High School
• Rachel Maldonado, Vallejo High School
• Phoebe McDonald, Armijo High School
• Melissa Peng, Rodriguez High School
• Donald Ryan IV, Justin
Siena High School
• Rismsha Syed, Early College High School
• Janessa Villicana, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy
• Daniel Zhang, Benicia High School
Attendee Sandra Yen,
owner of County Square Market in Vacaville, praised the event. It's a celebration of Asian culture for all to enjoy, she said, and something not often seen in Solano County.
“I just hope it continues for generations to come,” she said. “It's so uplifting.”