Rosenberg optometry school celebrates Lunar New Year, ‘Year of the Dragon’

By Roya Attarhousseini

LOGOS STAFF WRITER

  Students, faculty and staff at the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry were greeted with warm smiles, a red envelope filled with candy and afternoon filled with traditional food and customs in celebration of the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon. 

 Red envelopes are traditional gifts exchanged during the time of celebration and usually contain money. The color red symbolizes luck and is also supposed to ward off evil spirits.

  The festival was hosted by the UIW RSO Chapter of the National Optometric Student Association which serves to recognize, increase, and celebrate diversity.

   The event had a large turnout that filled the room that was colorfully decorated and playing traditional Asian music. A brief presentation was given by intern Veronica Wong who also led the committee organizing the even billed as “a celebration of the Lunar New Year and a remembrance of ancestors who have passed away.”

  Studentsw also had an opportunity to play a traditional Asian game of “Lucky Chess.” Lots of other prizes were given and one student won a Kindle Fire.

   “With the majority of students attending UIW RSO being of Asian ancestry, the event was a great way to celebrate and share our heritage and culture,” said Linh Phan, a second-year optometry intern. “It was a great turnout and hopefully we can do it again next year.”