By Misty DUPLESSIS

The Valley View Korean Parents’ Association hosted an entertaining assembly on Friday, Feb. 3 that helped students understand and celebrate Korean Lunar New Year.

Students were introduced to important facts of the holiday and able to see demonstrations of activities and games that are typically enjoyed during the three-day festivity.

Many students volunteered time over the last few months to practice dances, learn martial arts moves and strengthen up to make sure that the start of the Year of the Black Dragon was memorable for fellow students.

Girls of varying ages dressed in traditional pink celebratory dresses as they danced the Korean fan dance.

The sixth grade class was split into four groups and participated in a competitive game of tug-of-war while the entire school watched and cheered on their friends.

During a tae kwon do demonstration, different belt levels performed skillful moves using their feet and fists to break wooden boards with ease.

Winners of a school-wide creative writing contest, when students were encouraged to explore customs and traditions of the holiday, were announced and awarded.

President of the association Lydia Park-Kim said that the goal of the presentation was for students to gain exposure to a different culture and to learn about other New Year’s traditions.

  MISTY DUPLESSIS