A Gallop into New Beginnings, Together in Celebration
UEF Year of the Horse Spring Dinner Warmly Concluded

As the year turns and the horse brings in spring, on the evening of February 6, 2026, the warmth of the Year of the Fire Horse (Bing Wu) grew stronger. Staff from Utahloy Education Foundation came together for a glittering and heartwarming Spring Festival celebration. Through song and dance, wishes for a warm year were shared. Colleagues sat side by side, welcoming the gentle hopes of the Lunar New Year.

The venue glowed with lights, filling every heart with warmth. On this wonderful night of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, past efforts became the prelude, and future aspirations set out toward fresh light. Ms. Dorothy Wong, Board Director and Chair of the UEF Board, took the stage to deliver the opening speech. Her words were sincere and heartfelt, expressing earnest wishes for the Year of the Horse. She encouraged all colleagues to charge ahead with vigor, follow the light, and strive together for a brilliant future and remarkable achievements.

The celebration began with joyful melodies, filling the hall with New Year cheer. Throughout the evening, the auspicious symbolism of the horse bringing blessings intertwined with the blossoming of diverse Eastern and Western cultures. A lively lion dance kicked off the festivities, its agile movements beating to the rhythm of spring and instantly warming the atmosphere. The powerful performance of traditional Chinese drums echoed through the hall, each beat embodying the striving spirit of the Utahloy community and heralding a vibrant year ahead.

As the drums faded, dynamic group performances of You Cannot Stop the Beat and Mama Mia took the stage, their energetic steps and youthful enthusiasm gradually building the excitement. Duets of Cruisin’ and Now That I Have You filled the air with harmonious warmth, followed by Melody’s solo of Dancing Queen—a joyful and heartfelt rendition that had the audience on their feet, dancing and applauding. A guitar performance of the familiar melody The Same Table (同桌的你) touched hearts and deepened the warmth in the room. 

The Taiji Fan Performance blended softness and strength, its flowing movements reflecting the resilient and enterprising spirit of the Year of the Horse. A solo dance titled Silk Road gracefully unfolded the timeless elegance of the ancient trade route, while band performances of Friends (朋友) and Lean on Me expressed the deep camaraderie between the two campuses, met with cheers and applause. A soulful trumpet solo allowed everyone to let go of the year’s fatigue and embrace New Year joy. Finally, the grand dragon dance Flying Dragon (龙腾盛世) took the stage—a magnificent display of the golden dragon weaving through the lights, symbolizing everyone’s highest hopes for the Year of the Horse and bringing the evening to an exhilarating close. 

As laughter and joy lingered into the night, the warm and hopeful Spring Festival dinner drew to a close. Dr. Mullen, UIS Superintendent of Schools – UISG & UISZ, delivered the closing remarks, expressing sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the event and extending heartfelt New Year blessings to every colleague.

As the new year begins, a new chapter unfolds. This Spring Festival dinner was not only a celebration of past efforts and a reunion filled with warmth but also a prelude to new journeys ahead. May every member of the Utahloy community ride the momentum of the Year of the Horse, move forward with passion, embrace happiness and well-being, and journey together toward a future filled with brightness and peace.

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