Happy Lunar New Year and Year of the Ox to those who celebrate! This year, the new year lands on February 12 in our calendar. At our school, the NCHS has hosted our annual dumping competition and a cultural themed Jeopardy! Unlike the previous years, the dumping competition had to be held online. We did not get to wrap dumplings in the school cafeteria or spend time with friends after school hours. Instead, families and friends made dumplings at home. Winners still get bragging rights and a basket full of snacks and gifts! Wishing everyone a year good luck and health:) 

Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic Americans spent an approximate $21.9 billion on Valentine’s Day to show their loved ones just how special they are. Valentine’s Day is third on the list of most expensive Holidays (behind Christmas and Thanksgiving) but is still a “young” holiday. Valentines were not mass produced until 1840, only 181 years ago! The whole idea of Valentine’s Day in recent years has become more about all loved ones, not just one significant other. Many people will celebrate (on normal years, without COVID) with a group of friends and celebrate their friendship. This year was definitely celebrated differently in the past, but hopefully by next year we will be able to celebrate like we did pre 2020!