Maryville Students Learn About Chinese New Year Traditions

Local restaurant owners share cultural knowledge with sixth graders

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Sixth graders at Maryville Middle School recently had the opportunity to learn about Chinese New Year traditions from their classmate Aiden Chen and local restaurant owners Gordon Chen and Jessie Ye of Happy Garden. The students gained valuable insights into the holiday through this interactive cultural exchange facilitated by their social studies teacher Leanna Lightfoot.

Why it matters

Exposing students to diverse cultural traditions helps broaden their perspectives and understanding of the world around them. This learning experience allowed the Maryville students to directly engage with members of their local community and gain first-hand knowledge of Chinese New Year celebrations.

The details

Teacher Leanna Lightfoot reached out to the owners of Happy Garden, Gordon Chen and Jessie Ye, to help educate her sixth grade students about Chinese New Year. The restaurant owners enthusiastically joined the effort, sharing their knowledge and experiences with the class. The students were also able to learn from their classmate Aiden Chen, who provided additional insights into the holiday traditions.

  • The Chinese New Year began on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Leanna Lightfoot

A social studies teacher at Maryville Middle School who organized the cultural learning experience for her students.

Gordon Chen and Jessie Ye

The owners of Happy Garden, a local restaurant, who shared their knowledge of Chinese New Year traditions with the Maryville students.

Aiden Chen

A student at Maryville Middle School who provided additional insights into Chinese New Year celebrations based on his own experiences.

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What they’re saying

“Exposing students to diverse cultural traditions helps broaden their perspectives and understanding of the world around them.”

— Leanna Lightfoot, Social Studies Teacher (kjo1055.com)

The takeaway

This interactive learning experience allowed the Maryville students to directly engage with members of their local community and gain first-hand knowledge of Chinese New Year celebrations, helping to foster greater cultural understanding and appreciation.