Higley schools celebrate Chinese New Year

A dragon, lions, dancers, singers and martial artists came together Feb. 5 to celebrate Chinese New Year in Higley Unified School District.

The student and guest performers took the stage at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert for the third annual event.

Four Higley campuses that offer Mandarin language studies – Cooley Early Childhood Development Center, Cooley Middle School, Coronado Elementary School and Williams Field High School – participated.

“Through these studies, students not only attain a second language, but a better understanding of another culture and our connection to the world. Tonight, we welcome all our Higley families and friends to see what this means for your children through presentations of song and dance,” Coronado Principal Jeff Armstrong said as he opened the evening.

Higley students, from preschool through high school, showcased the language, dance styles and traditions they’ve studies throughout the evening. The staged filled with color and song as students and guest artists performed music, Wushu martial arts, ribbon and fan dances and the traditional Chinese lion dance.

The evening concluded with Cooley Middle School students performing the dragon dance.