Skyline students packed the quad on Feb. 23 for a traditional Chinese New Year celebration.

After an enthusiastic speech by Skyline President Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, members of the San Mateo based Shaolin Cultural Center treated students to a lively display of routines, musical performances, and dances.

“Not only were students and faculty able to enjoy the food, they were also able to enjoy Chinese cultural events and dancing in a grand style,” said Dr. Hui X. Pate, who teaches business at Skyline.

The highlight of the afternoon was a tandem dragon dance by Brian Hung, Christopher Lawrence, Kylee Liu, and Kendall Thorne-Dixson, representing the Shaolin school. Red and black dragon masks swirled through the air, captivating the crowd with their bright colors and snarling faces. As passers-by grazed on Chinese food provided by the International Student Association, 31st generation Shaolin Master Yung Chu Chung performed a series of stunts using volunteers from the crowd.

“I love the fact that I was able to participate,” music major Margaret Dayao said. “I loved the music. I loved the people, the ambiance, the performances. It was all dazzling.”

The event was sponsored by the Asia Studies Center and the International Student Program, with assistance from the International Students Affairs Club. Funding came from the President’s Innovation Fund.

This is the fifth annual Chinese New Year program at Skyline. The next Chinese cultural event will be on March 2, when a student delegation from No. 42 He Bei High School will visit campus.

Update: the cutline for the photo misidentified Christopher Lawrence as a student of Skyline College, that is not the case. He is an student of the Shaolin Cultural Center. 11:16 p.m. 2/27/2015