Chatham H.S. Students Inspired By Food, Culture At Chinese Club's Mid-Autumn Festival

CHATHAM, NJ — Mooncakes, Asian snacks and teas, some of the delectables enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival that originated in China, were served up during Chatham High School’s own special celebration.

The high school’s Chinese Club coordinated the event, with over 80 students having the opportunity to try the traditional Mooncake; and learn about the festival.

According to New York Magazine, the Mid-Autumn Festival happens “on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar,” with it one of the most prominent holidays in Asia, celebrating “the bounty of the autumn harvest.”

Mooncakes, the publication reports, are filled with “salted egg yolks, which symbolize the moon - the more yolks inside the cake, the greater the prosperity.”

On the day of the holiday, Sept. 21, which Yanfei Li-McGurrin - a Chinese teacher at the school and the Chinese Club advisor - called “the second most important holiday after Chinese New Year,” students snacked on Japanese treats - Pocky sticks and Hi-Chew candies - in addition to the traditional Mooncake.

Li-McGurrin described the festival as one "celebrated by many East and Southeast Asian countries and regions."

Co-Presidents of the Chinese Club, Xinyue Fan and Kevin Yang, worked with Li-McGurrin, according to a news release from the high school, on planning the festivities, including games like Kahoot! and Gimkit, to gain more insights about the holiday.

“I am so happy that I had the opportunity to introduce and share this holiday with my students,” Li-McGurrin said. “I think it is very important for my students not only to learn the language, but also to experience the culture.”

Yang said the students celebrating, “had fun at the CHS Mid-Autumn Festival.”

“I was so happy to share Chinese culture with my classmates,” said Yang. “I feel the notion of holiday celebration resided among us as we spent time with friends.”

“We were all so excited about the mooncakes, snacks and tea,” Fan added. “We have more celebrations and food events planned for the future and I can't wait to share them with the club members.”

“I think it is very important for my students not only to learn the language, but also to experience the culture,” Li-McGurrin said. “Seeing the smiles on their faces while they were tasting the mooncake, tea and Chinese snacks, and playing the trivia game, makes me very happy.”

Read more here about Mooncakes in New York Magazine

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.