From rented classrooms to the West Coast’s largest Chinese cultural center, SCCCA and Irvine Chinese School marked 50 years on October 3 with nearly 500 guests in the center’s gym.
Through film, speeches, dance, martial arts, and music, generations celebrated a cultural home built by immigrant families, teachers, students, and volunteers.
One Classroom, Fifty Years
In the documentary, founding principal Mitzi Fu recalled how the school began. In 1973, she drove her children from Irvine to Huntington Beach for weekend Chinese classes.
Neighbors hoped their children could join—but one car could not fit nine children from three families. That crowded car sparked a shared resolve to start a Chinese school in Irvine.
In 1976, she rented a classroom and opened with about 20 students, with parents taking turns helping.
Former board chairs Nelson Mar and Janie Tsao, former principals Terry Lee, Jiapyng Niu, May Wen, Ann Hwu, and CEO Yulan Chung reflected on how that classroom grew into a cultural home serving families and the community.
Heritage Endures, Legacy Continues
Chung reaffirmed SCCCA’s mission: teach Chinese, preserve Chinese culture, and embrace America’s diversity.
Through five decades of dedication from families, teachers, students, and volunteers, ICS Chinese school grew into Southern California’s largest Chinese education institution and the West Coast’s largest Chinese cultural center.
She thanked teacher Kuan-Yuan Tai’s family and the wider community for their steadfast support.
The American dream and Chinese traditions, she said, share common human values—a foundation for the next 50 years.
Board Chair Wendi Chen called the anniversary a cherished milestone, honoring generations of board members whose vision and care guided SCCCA forward.
She thanked the community and staff, expressing hope that its cultural legacy would keep lighting the way.
U.S. Representatives Ted Lieu and Dave Min, Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, and Vice Mayor James Mai joined Councilmembers Melinda Liu and William Gao and Orange County Chinese Cultural Center Director Betty Shiou at the celebration.
They presented commendations recognizing SCCCA and Irvine Chinese School’s contributions to language education, cultural preservation, and community ties.
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Shared Roots, New Generations
For alumnus and documentary director Sean Niu, making the film revealed a home built by generations of love and determination.
His parents and community elders began serving before he was born, helping him embrace Chinese culture and care for people from different backgrounds.
He hoped the film would show how far the community had come—and inspire others to build homes of their own.
Chung honored past board chairs, school principals, and PTA presidents. Over 50 years, SCCCA has had 33 board chairs and 21 principals, many still serving today.
Former board chair Mike Chen has volunteered for 37 years. Their quiet dedication has kept the mission alive.
Vice Chair Andrew Mar remembered attending Sunday Chinese classes with his parents in rented classrooms at University High.
Today, the school is a cultural home encompassing language, arts, martial arts, festivals, and immersion education.
As an alumnus and father of two daughters, he pledged to carry his parents’ hopes forward, helping the next generation find its roots.
Board member Dara Mullarkey once wondered why she had to attend Chinese school early on Sundays.Motherhood brought the answer: the volunteer “aunties and uncles” teaching language, calligraphy, dance, and culture wanted children to stay connected to their heritage.
Chinese school was more than classes; it was a bridge between generations.
Dance Soars, Music Resonates
The celebration brought the center’s artistic achievements to life. The Southern California Chinese Dance Company’s graceful Dunhuang dance evoked the Silk Road’s ancient flying celestial figures.
Young martial artists displayed precision and spirit, while leaping lions and pounding drums energized the crowd. Onstage, tradition came alive through youthful talent.
Conductor Bin He likened the seed planted 50 years ago to a flourishing tree. Innovation, he said, gives tradition a contemporary voice.
He then led the South Coast Chinese Orchestra in the opening movement of the original musical Chang’e Flies to the Moon.
Chinese and Western instruments, voices, and drums filled the hall with echoes of moonlight, legend, and longing for home.
Memories Preserved, Hearts Connected
The evening’s most moving moment came during the tribute to the anniversary book, Splendid Torch 1976-2026 Editor-in-Chief Esther Hsiao said its 50 contributors revisited the days of handwritten lessons, hand-drawn posters, and fundraising to build the school.
Beyond the achievements, its greatest treasure was the bond among teachers, parents, and volunteers who cared for one another.
Roselyn, daughter of editorial committee chair Rose Cheung, traveled from Iowa for the celebration. She wore the necklace her mother had worn to the 2022 launch of Chinese Americans in Irvine, witnessing the publication her mother had helped shape.
Chung said the anniversary book preserved five decades of SCCCA and Irvine Chinese School’s history. Sadly, Rose Cheung died of illness before publication and never saw it completed.
Together, Chung and Roselyn read her words: “We honor the struggles and achievements of the Chinese diaspora, affirm our confidence in our cultural heritage, and express our hopes for a diverse, inclusive society.”
Overcome with emotion, they embraced in tears as sustained applause filled the hall.
Each guest received a copy of the book, carrying home 50 years of memories and hopes. Conversations and group photos brought the celebration to a warm close.
From a car too small for nine children and a single rented classroom to today’s brightly lit cultural center, the greatest legacy is more than buildings or size.
It is the home generations have sustained with their time, care, and commitment. In the next generation’s hands, that light will reach farther still.
Note: SCCCA’s 50th anniversary screening was just a preview. The full documentary premieres early next year. Stay tuned!