06/06/2026
HCCS Participates in the 5th AAPI Festival of Howard County
On May 3, Howard County Chinese School (HCCS) proudly participated in the 5th Howard County's Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Festival, a community celebration highlighting the diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities throughout Howard County.
The festival opened with a parade featuring schools, cultural organizations, and community groups. HCCS participated with a traditional dragon dance, which attracted the attention of many spectators along the parade route.
Throughout the day, HCCS hosted an information booth where volunteers shared information about the school's Chinese language classes, cultural programs, and community activities. Families visiting the booth learned about opportunities to study Chinese language and explore Chinese culture through HCCS programs. Also representing HCCS was Alphabots, the school's FTC robotics team, which recently competed at the FIRST Robotics World Championship. Their participation showcased not only cultural heritage but also the achievements of HCCS students in STEM education.
Visitors to the festival enjoyed a variety of attractions, including food trucks serving cuisines from across Asia and the Pacific Islands. Vendor booths offered cultural crafts, artwork, clothing, and other items, while information booths from local organizations provided educational resources and opportunities for community involvement.
Performances were held throughout the day at The Chrysalis. Dancers, musicians, martial artists, and cultural groups showcased traditions from many different backgrounds, giving attendees the opportunity to experience the rich diversity of AAPI cultures represented in Howard County.
The AAPI Festival brought together students, families, educators, and community members for a day of learning, celebration, and cultural exchange. Through its dragon dance performance, information booth, and the participation of the Alphabots robotics team, HCCS was honored to contribute to an event that celebrated both cultural heritage and student achievement.