New York City’s Chinatown became a veritable learning laboratory for Huntington High School Asian Studies students and Chinese cultural exchange club members last Saturday as the group explored Asian culture, history and foods.
The contingent numbering almost 20 was led by Joseph Leavy, the district’s chairman of humanities for grades 7-12 and the driving force behind the exchange club. Along with several faculty colleagues, the longtime educator took the group via the Long Island Railroad and MTA subways to a Lower Manhattan neighborhood teeming with activity.
The trip coincided with a celebration of the anniversary of the 150th birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father and first president of the Republic of China. The Huntington group visited an exhibit on the life of the legendary Chinese revolutionary, who was educated as a physician.
The Huntington group near
a statue honoring Sun Yat-sen.
Club members enjoyed stops in local markets and several temples while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the dynamic neighborhood and the culture it exudes. A highlight of the day was enjoying a traditional Chinese banquet style meal consisting of dumplings, noodles, shrimp, beef, chicken, vegetables, rice and even bubble tea.
Mr. Leavy was joined on the trip by faculty colleagues Jordan Gould and Peter Crugnale. “We conduct this tour for Huntington High School students twice a year and it is open to anyone interested,” Mr. Leavy said. “We hope to spur enough interest in Chinese to restart the Chinese language course at the high school, since Huntington was one of the first districts to introduce such a class over 30 years ago.”
The trip’s participants thoroughly enjoyed themselves and took delight exploring the neighborhood. “We stopped by Columbus Park to go the Dr. Sun Yat-sen memorial,” said senior Steve Yeh, who serves as president of the high school’s Chinese cultural exchange club. “We went to the community center where we learned about his contributions to the 1911 Revolution and the ideals of democracy.”
Mr. Leavy expects to lead another trip to Chinatown in the spring.
