[中文版本]
During the 2025 Spring Festival, under the guidance and planning of Teacher Li Feng, we, the students of Zaidao, organized our traditional New Year’s visit to the Sunshine Senior Center. To bring holiday cheer to the grandparents, we prepared a variety of performances and interactive activities. Before heading out, I thought this event was simply about bringing happiness and support to the elderly in the community, but by the end, I realized that I had gained much more than I had given.
The event began with Doris Wang and Emily jia introducing Zaidao’s activities and leading everyone in sending New Year’s greetings to the grandparents. Following that, Lin Zheng performed an impressive martial arts demonstration. Then, Allen Du and I organized a riddle-guessing game for the seniors. What surprised me most was how sharp and quick-witted the grandparents were. I had assumed that the riddles might be a bit challenging for them—after all, I had to discuss many of the answers with my parents beforehand to fully understand them. We even went over pronunciation and the stories behind some answers, like who "Lao She" was, so I could offer helpful hints. To my amazement, the grandparents answered almost all the riddles with ease. Sometimes, they even shouted out the correct answers before I finished reading the question! We handed out small prizes to those who guessed correctly.
Next came the hands-on activities, where students and grandparents worked together on traditional crafts like paper cutting, lantern making, folding origami cranes, and practicing calligraphy. At the calligraphy station, Teacher Li had already prepared brushes, ink, and large red rice paper adorned with golden dragon and phoenix patterns. The grandparents could use these to write the character "福" (meaning good fortune) to celebrate the New Year. My job was to assist with the calligraphy activity. At first, I thought I’d be offering guidance, but soon the tables turned—I found myself asking the seniors for advice on improving my brushwork. Some of them had incredible calligraphy skills, with strokes so smooth and elegant that their work looked like true art. One 94-year-old grandmother was even a professional calligrapher who had created signs for the senior center! They patiently taught me, stroke by stroke, how to refine my technique. What left the deepest impression on me was realizing that calligraphy isn’t just about writing—it’s a cultural expression and an art form passed down through generations.
Throughout the day, I gained invaluable experiences. The wisdom, creativity, and joy the seniors shared while engaging in cultural activities truly inspired me. They participated wholeheartedly in the festivities, showing immense gratitude through their enthusiasm. This experience taught me that learning isn’t limited by time or place—it’s a lifelong journey that can happen anywhere, at any moment. It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and a deep sense of community—an experience I will always treasure.
