All our lions are named after food, isn’t that so cute?

Maybe due to the fear of college coming to an end, or because of the knowledge that I’m running out of time to live as much as possible in this place and with these people, but this year I have done many crazy, out-of-character things. For the sake of the senior bucket list, I have gone as far as to spend 12 hours in JJ’s—I know, the work of a madman. Yet, the wildest thing I have done this year, by far, has been joining Lion Dance (CULD).

This all started last Fall, on the first day of class. I was sitting at Wu + Nuss, eating bagels with my friends and talking about the upcoming club fair, when I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to join a club that I would normally never try out. As the words left my mouth, someone walked by on the other side of the street carrying one of the lions. It felt fated. 

Somehow, one of my friends got roped into this adventure with me and we went to the first CULD practice together. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t having as much fun as I did. I was baffled—everyone was so nice and eager to teach us the routine and its significance. Being in the lion was (and still is) really hard, but the older CULD members were nothing but patient and encouraging. Soon, I found myself eagerly awaiting the days we had practice, and, eventually, Lion Dance became a pocket of happiness and a space where I could forget about the stress of school and of life. Almost by accident, I fell in love with the art form and with the people in the club—so much so that I started hearing the different drum beats in my dreams.

Now, almost a year later and nearing the end of my college career, I can confidently say that CULD is made up of the most welcoming, dedicated, wholesome, goofy, and fun group of people on campus. Thanks to them, not only have I learned about how amazing and complicated Lion Dance is, but I have also made many unexpected friends, practiced coming out of my shell, and lived out my childhood dream of drumming (sort of). The commitment, passion, and genuine glee that the people in CULD evince at every practice are more than contagious. They inspire me to show up and strive to improve constantly.

Recently, we competed at the 2025 East Coast Intercollegiate Lion Dance Competition, for which I saw my teammates work tirelessly and faithfully, day after day and way into the night. I will never not be impressed by what we accomplished and, years from now, I will still remember, with reverence, the people whom I had the honor of calling my teammates. I want to thank, particularly, the Lion Dancers of Team Ni Hao Fine Shyt: Alissa, for making sure everything ran properly and leading the team into poke-glory. Sebastian, for being a ray of sunshine. Ke, for being literally the coolest and most collected person I’ve ever met. Sarah, for always committing to the bit. Regina, for being as intense as me when it comes to going all out on props. Ben, for his kindness in taking care of everyone and making sure people feel included. Grace S., for loving Lion Dance so much and teaching me how to drum low walk. Fox, for talking to me about music and about mothers and daughters. Kelly, for being really kind and taking good care of the egg. Darren, for getting all those pokeball plushies. Kiet and Ellis, for being the funniest, most expressive monks. Ames and Grace Z., for being bamboo as frick. Christine, for being so sweet and making such cool stickers. Alison, for being extra funny when she’s sleepy at practice. And Michelle, for never letting me spiral out and holding my hand that one time in Chinatown.

As an international student, fitting in has been somewhat of a struggle for me in college. It took me three years, but, finally, I found in CULD the thing that I’ve been, inadvertently, looking for all this time: something warm that feels like home.

With immense gratitude,

Header Image via Author