Editor’s Note :
As the South Coast Chinese Cultural Association and Irvine Chinese School near their 50th anniversary, a special editorial team is collecting reflections from former presidents and principals to preserve this half-century journey.
Cultural Express launches the “Brilliant Fifty” series, featuring selected essays that illuminate the people and stories that shaped our community.
While organizing old photos, I came across a picture of former Principal Ronald Wen running on the sports field in Irvine Chinese School’s yellow uniform.
It was likely taken during the faculty relay race at the Southern California Chinese School Association’s sports meet. Having served as a principal myself, I, too, once ran in such a race.
When signing up, I thought running one lap wouldn’t be a problem, but once on the field, I realized how exhausting that 400-meter run was for those of us who didn’t run regularly.
For the reputation of Irvine Chinese School, we truly put in our heart and soul!
Former ICS Principal Ronald Wen at a relay race
Hearts Joined・School Led
After moving to Irvine from another state in 1987, we immediately began volunteering at the Irvine Chinese School Parent Association.
I served as principal from 1996 to 1998 and again from 2004 to 2005.
Before 2004, Irvine Chinese School still rented classrooms at University High School.
Ronald jokingly referred to himself as the "school handyman" while his wife was the principal—he took care of all the school’s miscellaneous tasks and moving duties, as well as many chores at home.
At the time, since I worked full-time on weekdays and devoted my evenings and weekends to Irvine Chinese School’s affairs, I was so busy that I didn’t even remember which bank held our family account.
There were even times when I walked into a supermarket to buy groceries and drew a complete blank, unsure what our fridge needed.
Ronald served as principal from 2000 to 2001, while I took on the role of "school handyman," assisting behind the scenes with necessary tasks.
Together, we worked hard for Irvine Chinese School.
Flags Raised・Cheers Roared
Back then, we used to hold an annual school sports meet.
It was a major event where each class designed its own class flag and class uniforms, and selected representatives to participate in individual events such as high jump, long jump, shot put, and sprinting.
The most fiercely contested competitions were the relay races and tug-of-war. Each class drummed and cheered, creating waves of excitement as they gave their all to bring honor to their class.
Of course, the judging committee also regularly evaluated each class’s tents, cleanliness, and discipline, ensuring that everyone enjoyed the festivities while still adhering to rules and remembering Chinese etiquette.
Such a large-scale school-wide event relied on the planning and collaboration of all parents, teachers, and students.
The touching scenes of the entire school community working together remain etched in my memory to this day.
Gold Worn・Glory Won
Naturally, we also selected outstanding students to participate in the Southern California Chinese School Association’s sports meet.
Parents, students, and faculty members participating in the event would eagerly board rented yellow school buses early in the morning, joyfully heading to the games together.
Everyone worked in unison, supporting one another both during the entrance parade and the competitions.
Irvine Chinese School’s yellow uniforms always stood out, and our performance in various events, whether individual or team-based, was consistently outstanding, earning extensive coverage in the Southern California news sections of Chinese newspapers the following day.
These achievements were the result of the collective efforts of the entire school community and were also made possible by using University High School’s campus, which provided us with a large sports field to host internal sports meets.
The unspoken camaraderie helped unite the strength of all teachers, students, and parents in working together for Irvine Chinese School.
Ground Broken・Home Built
However, the good times did not last long. During the 2000-2001 school year, the rent unexpectedly surged from $5 per classroom per hour to $25 per hour.
Ronald Wen, the principal at the time, saw his blood pressure skyrocket, believing that if tuition were to rise accordingly, it would not be a sustainable solution.
Thus, he proposed building Irvine Chinese School's own campus. And so, Principal Wen took the first step toward establishing a new home for Irvine Chinese School—that was in 2001!
Shortly after, the Board of Directors formed fundraising and various construction committees to discuss funding and requirements.
In 2003, Principal Wen raised a torch high at the groundbreaking ceremony, celebrating the imminent construction of the new campus, while school operations continued as usual.
Newspaper clipping of the 2003 groundbreaking ceremony for the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center
Moreover, the new campus had only 22 classrooms, which necessitated careful consideration of how to schedule 40 classes.
The goal was to avoid disrupting students' academic progress while also minimizing the burden on families with multiple children enrolled, ensuring that parents would not have to shuttle children to different classes both in the morning and afternoon.
As a result, I returned to the school in 2004 to take up the role of principal once again, and in April 2005, we officially moved into the new campus at 9 Truman, Irvine.
Former ICS principals Ronald and May Wen
Today, Irvine Chinese School has been in its new campus for 20 years. In addition to offering weekend Chinese classes, we also provide weekday language and cultural classes to the public.
Recently, we played a leading role in establishing the first-ever dual-language charter school, Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy, which serves students from transitional kindergarten through 5th grade on an Irvine Unified School District campus, nurturing the next generation of outstanding bilingual talent.
The donation tiles to raise funds for the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center
Seeing Irvine Chinese School’s current state, I know that our pioneering work in the past has not been in vain.
I sincerely thank everyone who contributed and wish Irvine Chinese School continued growth and much more prosperity in the future ! (Brilliant Fifty XVIII)
Read More：
Building on the Past Opening a New Chapter Peter Liu ( ICS Former Principal 1995-96)
Some Remarks on the 50th Anniversary of ICS. Bin Yang ( ICS Former Principal 1992-94 )
Looking Back on My Year as ICS Principal. Ping Deng Yow ( ICS Former Principal 1988-89 )
An Affinity for the Irvine Chinese School. Ann Hwu ( ICS Former Principal 1987-88)
Building Bridges Across Generations and Cultures. Susie Chu ( SCCCA Board Chair 1988-89)
From Parent to Principal : My ICS Story. Hedy Ho（ Former ICS Principal 1986-87 )
United We Strive · United We Rise. Don Niu ( Former SCCCA board chair 1986-87 )
ICS Memories That Still Shine. Phen Cheng (1984-85 ICS Principal)
Reflections of a School Janitor. JJ Lee (SCCCA Board Chair 1979-1980 )
A Journey from One Dream to a Community Legacy Mitzi Fu (1976-82, 1983-84 ICS Founding Principal)