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.
Time flies so quickly. Thinking back to 2016, when I was still on the Board of Directors and editing the "Special 40th Anniversary Commemorative Publication" for the Chinese school, ten years have passed in a blink, and the school is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
I recall that in 2021, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the City of Irvine's incorporation, the school published a substantial and exquisite volume, "Chinese-Americans in Irvine 1971-2021." In these two publications, I briefly recorded my involvement with the Chinese school and community service.
Thanks to an invitation from the editorial committee for the "Special 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication," I had a pleasant conversation, reminiscing about my nearly thirty-five years of volunteer work with the school.
Generally speaking, my interaction with the school can be divided into three stages. The first stage was from when my children started school until their graduation in 2006.
The second stage was after my children graduated, when I continued volunteering at the school. The third stage began after retirement when I returned to the community as a volunteer and maintained interaction with the school.
Family Roots, Service Routes
At the beginning of the first stage, I sold gift certificates to increase the Parents' Organization's income.
I also served as a class representative and team leader for both internal and external sports competitions, arranged school fairs, talent contests, and other activities, and was responsible for editing and printing the school publication "Entering Irvine."
Most of this stage involved service within the Parents' Organization.
After my children graduated following twelve years of Chinese classes and left the school, I was also ready to leave. However, a good friend from the school pulled me into the Board of Directors.
Little did I know that this decision would forge a tenacious bond with the ICS that continues to this day.
2019 Board Directors gathering
Campus Dreams, Community Teams
At that time, due to the school district raising classroom rental fees, the Board of Directors, the Parents' Organization, and the school administration launched a fundraising campaign to build its own school.
With crucial help and collective determination, we finally completed and moved into the new campus in 2005. The school could now hold classes on both Saturdays and Sundays rather than only on Sundays.
Transitioning from renting classrooms to managing our own campus, maintaining the property, and handling cash flow placed significant pressure on the three-headed management structure.
Major differences in management philosophy arose, triggering a legal dispute. In the face of litigation and the two opposing factions sticking to their own narratives, I found it very difficult, as secretary, to take Board minutes!
1995 ICS sports day at University High School
Stronger Systems, Brighter School
The second stage was my participation in the school and cultural center's "transformation."
Following the legal dispute in 2006, a new election was held and the Board was re-organized, and I once again became a member.
The association's organizational management and campus usage often became the focal point of discussion.
In 2008, the Board hired a full-time principal and added talented administrative staff which smoothed operations and helped to more fully utilize the campus facilities, thereby increasing revenue, e.g., renting out the multi-purpose hall and gymnasium, offering community classes, and after-school tutoring programs.
From then on, the school’s finances gradually improved and moved toward the goal of self-sufficiency.
During this period, we had many exchange activities with the mainstream Irvine School Districts, public school foundations, other community organizations, and the city government.
In 2014, the cultural center and school received recognition from the municipal government and were listed on the city's Wall of Honor.
2013 May: Book Fair with United Daily Newspaper in MPR
Lantern Lights, Dragon Nights
In 2016, for the school's 40th anniversary, the board successfully organized the "Soaring Over Forty Concert," held at the Orange County Performing Arts Center with a capacity of nearly 3,000 people, affording us valuable experience in hosting large-scale events.
Starting the following year, we collaborated with Pacific Symphony, holding annual Lunar New Year Lantern Festival celebrations at the same venue. Performance programs were provided by the school's clubs and various ethnic community groups.
I, along with other parents, organized a dragon dance team which performed as the finale outdoors, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from audiences, both adults and children.
I also arranged for large lanterns to be custom-made in Taiwan and displayed at the venue, simultaneously ordering thousands of zodiac animal lanterns to give away to the audience.
This has continued for eight years; in four more years, we will have completed a set of twelve zodiac animals.
2016年SCCCA舞龍隊首次在橙縣表演藝術中心亮相
Starting in 2017, school activities gradually increased, but available space was limited. To make full use of existing facilities, the board decided to renovate the outdoor amphitheater by adding a roof, allowing its use during both sunny and rainy weather.
During construction, the Board undertook numerous activities, including fundraising, engineering design, contractor selection, permit application, and facility planning.
It was finally completed and opened for use at the end of September 2018.
There was one concert during the rainy season when standing water on the ground was a major headache. Afterward, I was determined to find the cause and fix it.
The repairs were completed after the rainy season. The following year, during heavy rains, the ground no longer flooded, confirming that I, a non-expert, had successfully managed the water issue.
That was quite gratifying. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, this outdoor amphitheater successfully provided a venue for large gatherings, both for the school and external groups.
2020 donation to the Irvine Police Department
Lifelong Service, Lasting Vision
The third stage began in June 2021, after the completion of the Chinese-style pavilion, when I also stepped down from the role of Board President.
I thought I could start a life of leisurely freedom, but little did I know that the multiple nonprofit organizations I had previously joined required more involvement.
In 2024, the Irvine city government honored me with the "Citizen of Honor" award, and engraved my name on the city's Wall of Honor.
Looking back over the past thirty-plus years, through my work in the school’s Parents’ Association and Board of Directors, I have helped promote Chinese culture and support Chinese education for the next generation.
Along the way, I have worked closely with parents, other ethnic groups, and community members, forming many lasting friendships.
The school has also expanded its bilingual education, increased clubs providing information to the community, and organized various large-scale events.
All of this reflects the vision we had when building the cultural center: "Treat the children of others as you would treat your own."
As for the goal of "Treat the elderly of others as you would treat your own," perhaps more manpower and financial resources are needed to achieve it. （Brilliant Fifty XXVII ）
Read More：
Half a Century of Commitment and Achievement Karen Kuo-Limb (SCCCA Former Board Chair 2017-18)
Reflections Inspired by a Video Vivien Kao (SCCCA Former Board Chair 2011-2012)
The Transformation & Growth of SCCCA Andrew Yen ( SCCCA Former Board Chair 2007-2009, 2010-2011)
Thirty Years at ICS Memories Still Vivid Shi-yun Chung (Former ICS Principal, 1998–2000)
Reflections on the 50th Anniversary Joan Chien (SCCCA Former Board Chair 1996-98 ）
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)