Events

UDCA hosts a variety of programs throughout the year that celebrate culture, encourage dialogue, and bring the community together. Signature events include the vibrant Lunar New Year and the annual Thanksgiving Celebration, both of which highlight tradition, gratitude, and community connection. Programs such as Real Talk create space for meaningful conversations on important topics, while AAPI Heritage Month events honor the history, achievements, and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Lunar New Year

Celebrate culture, community, and the start of a new year at the Upper Dublin Chinese American Association's Lunar New Year Gala, one of the most anticipated cultural events in the community. Each year, families and community members of all backgrounds gather to welcome the Lunar New Year with an evening of vibrant performances, music, and cultural traditions that highlight the richness and diversity of Asian heritage.

The celebration features an exciting lineup of performances from talented artists and cultural groups, including traditional dance, martial arts demonstrations, classical and contemporary music, and showcases from Chinese, Korean, and Indian traditions. These performances create a dynamic cultural experience that reflects both heritage and artistic excellence.

The event also brings together students, educators, community leaders, and local organizations in a shared celebration of culture and connection. Special guests, speakers, and community recognitions add to the evening, making it not only a festive celebration but also a meaningful gathering that honors cultural pride and community achievement.

Join us for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebration and experience an unforgettable evening of culture, performance, and community spirit as we welcome the new year together.

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Click here to read about past years.

Thanksgiving

UDCA's Thanksgiving Celebration is a joyful annual tradition that brings together families, friends, and neighbors to share gratitude, culture, and community. Each year, hundreds of attendees gather for an evening filled with delicious food, lively performances, and meaningful connections.

The celebration features a diverse lineup of performances by talented volunteers and students, including music, dance, poetry, and instrumental showcases that highlight the creativity and spirit of the local community. Throughout the evening, special guests and community leaders join the festivities, while award presentations recognize students and volunteers for their dedication and contributions.

Alongside the performances, guests enjoy a festive meal and participate in fun activities such as games and lucky draws, creating a lively atmosphere for attendees of all ages. The event serves as a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends, celebrate achievements, and come together in the spirit of gratitude and community.

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Click here to read about past years.

AAPI Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a vibrant community event that honors the history, culture, and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Held in partnership with local schools, organizations, and the Upper Dublin Public Library, the celebration brings together community members of all backgrounds for a day of learning, dialogue, and cultural exchange.

The program features engaging panel discussions with distinguished speakers from education, public service, and community leadership who share insights on topics such as leadership, advocacy, civic engagement, and the experiences of AAPI communities. These conversations encourage thoughtful dialogue and inspire attendees—especially students—to reflect on identity, opportunity, and community impact.

Alongside the discussions, guests can explore interactive cultural activities including traditional arts, games, history exhibits, and opportunities to learn about AAPI heritage in hands-on ways. The event also features live performances, music, and cultural showcases that highlight the diversity and richness of Asian traditions.

Bringing together families, students, and local leaders, the AAPI Heritage Month celebration is both educational and festive—an opportunity to celebrate culture, build understanding, and strengthen connections across the community.

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Real Talk

High school is a trying time—that much is obvious for anyone who has been through it. However, the reasons for such difficulty can differ from environment to environment, and the set of challenges that students face can be uniquely tough for outsiders to understand.

Real Talk is a series of student-parent forums that bring in current and former high school students who are more than happy to reflect on and share the wisdom that they’ve gleaned over the years, and who are dedicated to making the problems more understandable and soluble for the parents and students alike. In fact, one of the main goals is to bridge a gap between student experiences and parental perceptions, and to hopefully inspire and guide families to work even more effectively together as children navigate their way into young adulthood.

Real Talk, initiated in 2017 by UD High School graduates Peter Hu and Michael Deng, and Drs. Cynthia Song and Ling Liang, has been supported by UDCA and UDSD Excellence and Equity / Asian American Students and Families Committee in the past years. Although the participants of the forums are primarily Asian Americans in the greater Upper Dublin community, the lessons we arrive can apply to people of all walks of life, and are especially useful for those who face high stakes, high expectations, and a densely competitive college scene.

Anyone who wishes to add his or her own voice to the panel is welcome to join! Real Talk runs roughly twice a year, during summer and winter breaks. To contribute to future talks, please contact Dr. Liang via liangling6@gmail.com OR any other core members on the Forum Committee at any time.

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Click here to read about past forums.

Real Talk Comittee

Peter Hu

Peter Hu is a 2016 graduate of Upper Dublin, current physics and astronomy major at the University of Pittsburgh, and one of the founders of the Real Talk series. He greatly enjoys drawing, animating, making/playing/writing music, and creating stories and worlds. Having experienced issues endemic to high school and education at large, he is more than happy to offer wisdom, advice, mistakes, support, and/or commiseration for those rising through their own formative years. With strong ideals about teaching, standardized testing, and what he believes to be some misguided incentives -- as well as a fervent passion for helping people understand things -- Peter is currently exploring the educational field for ways to improve its potency.

Shawn Li

Shawn Li is currently a senior at Upper Dublin High School where he strives to reach his full social and academic potential in preparation for both college and the life ahead of him. In addition to his AP course-load, Shawn is also avidly involved in a plethora of clubs as an officer. These include the National Honor Society, the Asian Student Association, and the Future Business Leaders of America among others. Outside of school, he volunteers for the Upper Dublin Chinese Association, Guang Hua Chinese School, and the Franklin Institute. Given that time allows it, Shawn enjoys cooking, playing table tennis, and taking deep dives into random subjects on Wikipedia or YouTube.

Ling Liang

Ling Liang is an Associate Professor of science education at La Salle University in Philadelphia. She holds a Ph. D. in Science Education (Physics) from Indiana University at Bloomington, IN USA. She has been engaged in science teaching and research at K-16 levels since 1996 and is currently teaching integrated sciences and education courses for preservice teachers. After her son graduated from Upper Dublin High School, she took a leadership role as a Co-Chair of the UDSD Excellency and Equity/Asian- American Students and Families Committee. She is passionate about development of our children’s soft skills and overall well-being.

Hyelee Yoon

Hyelee Yoon is an Upper Dublin mother of three, studied English at Wellesley College and then attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Currently she runs her own business, Quo Vadis Consulting (www.qv-consulting.com), a company that administers the Highlands Ability Battery, a natural abilities test that helps students and adults understand their hardwired ways of problem-solving and learning. She enjoys helping students understand their strengths, as well as brainstorm and craft college essays that highlight their best qualities.

Frank Wang

Frank Wang graduated in 2020 from Upper Dublin High School. While actively involved in various clubs and activities, Frank enjoys playing violin, programming, communication and networking.

Vivian Kong

Vivian Kong graduated Upper Dublin High School in 2022. Her interests include dancing, snowboarding, cooking, writing poems, and photography. Vivian is involved in various clubs such as Key Club, Environmental Education Club, and German Club. As a teen, she loves to share with others to connect parents and students alike.