MONTICELLO – Last week, Kenneth L. Rutherford fourth-grade student, Andrew McKenna proudly stepped to the front of the classroom with the confidence of a seasoned teacher, ready to share about the Lunar New Year.

He explained how the holiday is celebrated as a time for family, fresh beginnings, and good fortune. Andrew described traditions like cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck and giving red envelopes for prosperity. His classmates listened closely as he shared that each year is represented by an animal in the zodiac, making every celebration unique and meaningful.

The highlight of his presentation was teaching the class how to write the Chinese symbol for "good luck" on delicate sheets of rice paper. Carefully demonstrating each brushstroke, Andrew explained the importance of patience and intention when forming the character. His classmates dipped their brushes into black ink and practiced the symbol, concentrating as they tried to balance each line just right.

By the end of the lesson, the room was filled with proudly displayed symbols of good luck—along with a deeper appreciation for the culture and traditions Andrew had so thoughtfully shared.