Celebrating Chinese culture and a new year
State's oldest Chinese school marks 45th anniversary
BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent
Local residents didn't need to travel to China or even Chinatown to enjoy the beauty and pageantry of an authentic Chinese New Year celebration.

JEFF GRANIT staff Christina Tan, 8, of East Brunswick, tosses a ring onto a soda can during the Chinese New Year celebration held by the Chinese American Cultural Association Mid-Jersey Chinese School on Saturday at Churchill Junior High School in East Brunswick. The event also marked the school's 45th anniversary.

They only needed to stop by Churchill Junior High School in East Brunswick on Saturday and browse exhibits of Chinese arts, sample delicacies from a generous buffet, and enjoy a variety of New Year stage performances. The Mid-Jersey Chinese School sponsored the event, which also marked the East Brunswick-based school's 45th anniversary.

"New Year is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. It signifies a new beginning, and there are a lot of traditions behind it. It's a chance to set the tone for the coming year. Families get together and gifts are exchanged," said Susanna Chiu, vice principal of the school.

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Christina Chiu, 14, of East Brunswick, cheers on her brother, Ryan, as he hooks a lunch bag of prizes during a fishing game at the Mid-Jersey Chinese School's Chinese New Year celebration Saturday at Churchill Junior High School in East Brunswick. The event featured carnival games, cultural exhibits, a stage performance and other programs.

In the Chinese calendar, every year is named after an animal. According to legend, Buddha called all the animals together on New Year's Day. Twelve animals came, and Buddha held a race to decide which would be the first in the 12-year cycle. The rat was the winner and the pig came in last. It is believed that people born in the year of a certain animal share some of its characteristics. This is the year of the rat, and the beginning of a new 12-year cycle. Those born in a rat year are believed to be hardworking, practical and charming.

During the school's New Year celebration, ancient Chinese myths unfolded on stage as artists from the Bergen Chinese School Lion Dance Troupe performed the Lion and Dragon dances. Each brightly colored lion costume was inhabited by two acrobatic puppeteers who brought the beasts to life, making them jump and leap with cat-like grace.

Chyun-Huey Kao helps Ilayda Orankoy, 11, of East Brunswick, with Chinese calligraphy.

East Brunswick Mayor William Neary stepped on stage and fed one of the lions a red envelope, a guarantee of good luck for the coming year. Neary congratulated the school on its anniversary and noted that the Township Council would pass a proclamation regarding the school's contribution to the community. A representative from state Sen. Barbara Buono's office praised the school, and a letter of congratulations from Gov. Jon Corzine was read to the audience.

Young women and girls in colorful costume performed graceful Chinese folk dances, including the Peacock, Lantern and Flower Drum dances. The Sword Dance made a more ominous impression with the women dressed in dark costumes, combining dance and martial art movements. There were also demonstrations of Chinese puppetry, martial arts and yo-yo.

"Chinese yo-yo is different from the American toy," Chiu noted prior to the performance. "With the Chinese yo-yo there are two sticks with a long string between them. The yo-yo is large and rests on the string. They do all kinds of tricks with them."

Brush drawings of horses, fishermen and deer hung in the hallway outside the auditorium, along with Chinese calligraphy and cartoon drawings. There were examples of Chinese knotting, where different-color strings were transformed into dragonflies, flowers, pins and bracelets.

As the night went on, the outer hallway served as a "backstage" for performers getting ready. Students of Chen tai-chi instructor Jack Wu carefully followed his movements as they practiced before their performance.

"Chen tai-chi is really the foundation for other forms," Wu explained. "There is strong, powerful movement, as well as soft, slow movements. Most of my students are in their 30s through their 70s."

Shya Chou, Mei Tai and Madeline Thanes all live in East Brunswick and have been studying Chen tai-chi for several years.

"I think it's really a good form of exercise," Chou said.

Thanes, when asked if she thought she could deter a mugger, quipped, "I told my son I could, but only if he approached me very slowly."

The oldest Chinese school in the state, the Chinese American Cultural Association Mid- Jersey Chinese School is run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers. Last fall the school became the first Chinese school in New Jersey to be certified by a township Board of Education. Students in East Brunswick can now earn world language credits through their studies at the school.

"We are the only school to teach multiple Chinese languages for all levels of learners. We offer Mandarin, traditional Mandarin and Cantonese," said board member Shunly Wang. "We are hoping that in the future it will be approved for AP classes."

Mary Mackenzie, supervisor of East Brunswick High School's world languages department, proudly handed out proficiency certificates to five Chinese language students.

"Students could earn five or 10 credits depending on their level of proficiency. Each of these students earned 10 credits, and one reached the level of a language instructor," Mackenzie said.

Husband and wife Rudi and Juanny Gunnawan never learned to speak Chinese. They grew up in Indonesia, where the language is forbidden. They are thrilled their daughter is learning it now, and are especially happy with the teachers.

"They are really wonderful and very dedicated," Juanny said.

Iris Chin is one of the school's trustees. Her son Adam is 9 years old and goes to Chittick Elementary School. On Saturdays, he has been attending classes in language and art.

"I feel it's important for him to learn his heritage. I don't think someone can really be happy unless they know who they are," said Iris, who speaks Cantonese, the form of Chinese spoken by those who live in Hong Kong. She noted that those who speak Mandarin and those who speak Cantonese cannot understand each other.

"The written language is all the same," said Hsiang-Mei Fusco, who has been teaching first and second grade at the school for nine years. "I feel it's really important to pass the knowledge of the language down to the next generation."

The school started out in a member's home but has grown tremendously over the years. It now has more than 200 families, and 300 students enrolled in its classes, with over 10 percent of the student population coming from non-Chinese-speaking families, according to Iris Chin.

"We offer over four dozen classes," said Principal Jasper Gea. "For those interested in the arts, there are classes in Chinese brush painting and calligraphy. For people looking for activities with a more physical bent, there is Chinese folk dance, kung fu and yoga. There are even classes for those who want to master Chinese chess or those quick moves with the Chinese yo-yo."

"We are open to everyone in the community," Wang said. "We even offer three free Chinese classes to those who would like to try studying the language."

All classes are held at Churchill on Saturdays. For more information, visit the Web site at www.mjcs.us, e-mail principal@ mjcs.us or call (732) 485-1191.