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BY SUSAN MCTIGUE
CORRESPONDENT
CLOSTER, NEW JERSEY —— For the eighth year, Closter public school students, parents and teachers have devoted themselves to creating a spectacular Lunar New Year assembly program that both entertains and educates.
On Friday, Feb. 16, months of planning and rehearsals came to fruition when the auditorium was packed with cheering students and parents who watched singers, dancers and musicians perform in honor of the holiday.
Each year, the assembly program highlights a different Asian country. Vietnam was the focus for 2018, including a brief video, created by Hillside School teachers Joann Iyo and Silvia Jost, with students Yeji Kang and Grace Lee, that explained different customs and foods featured during the holiday, also known as Tet.
Beautifully costumed dancers appeared on stage in front of a colorful banner featuring The Year of the Dog. Under this zodiac sign, which appears once every 12 years, people born in 2006 or 2018 will show personality traits that include sincerity, loyalty and honesty.
The children’s fan dance was performed by elementary school students wearing traditional dresses in pinks and reds symbolizing prosperity and health for the coming year. A dramatic drum dance followed, performed by Tenakill’s seventh and eighth graders whose drumming skills were impressive. Choreography for both the fan dance and the drumming performance was provided by Ms. Kang.
The Tenakill Middle School orchestra and chorus, led by teachers Laura Abbey and Daniella Riecken, respectively, wore costumes as well, and presented musical pieces to supplement and enhance the performances onstage. A smaller group of musicians played modernized versions of ancient stringed instruments including four- and five-stringed violins, demonstrating yet another variation of music.
After the students showcased their talents in so many ways, their teachers had a moment to shine as they walked the runway for a fashion show displaying costumes from different countries. With appreciative ear-shattering screams from their students, the teachers lined up on stage and closed the assembly program with great satisfaction for a job well done.
Costumed Principal William M. Tantum thanked all those who made the program possible, including the emcees, student Elyse Rosario and teacher Amanda Cummings. The Lunar New Year Committee was co-chaired by Sunny Kim and Chris Kwon, and supported by the Korean Parents Group and President Yunsu Cho, with Sungmin Lee, Janice Yeoh and more than 20 parent volunteers. Additional support was provided by the PTO and the Closter Board of Education.
Photos by Susan McTigue
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