Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Q & A: Student is all about ‘Year of the Rabbit’

Photos and story by James Hill

Portland Community College’s Southeast Center will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with music, entertainment, food, vendors, door prizes and much more, starting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at Legin Restaurant. Admission and parking are free.

Read more about it: Asian New Year

Behind the scenes, student Lien Le is working hard to make it another great year. We sat down with her to talk about her role with PCC’s Asian New Year and why it’s such a big event for the community.

PCC: What is your role with the planning of Asian New Year?

Lien Le: This year, my role in the planning of Asian New Year is being the co-chair of the Asian New Year committee. I keep the minutes for each one of our committee meetings, which started to meet since October. I am also in charge of the games for the children during the event. I work together with the committee to brainstorm the logistics of the event and also have a hand in helping find volunteers.

PCC: What does volunteering for this event mean to you and the community?

Le: Volunteering for this event makes me feel not only like a part of the PCC Extended Learning Campus, but it also makes me feel like a part of Southeast community. I think, for the community that comes out and participates in the event, they not only learn about other Asian cultures, but it gives them a chance to be a part of the college. One of the raffle prizes we have is a voucher to come take classes at PCC, and this event may be the chance they would get to know more about us and consider taking classes.

PCC: What are you studying at PCC’s Southeast Center?

Le: Right now I am studying to get an Associates of Arts Degree or Oregon Transfer Degree. I want to either go into radiology or education with a focus on leadership education. I am on my last year here and I’ll be done by summer of 2011. My plans are to either transfer to University of Oregon, Louisiana State University or Tulane.

PCC: What do you want to do with your education?

Le: Depending on my major choice, I would love to either work in a private clinic or in a community college to give back to the system that helped me become who I am.

PCC: What is your favorite part of PCC’s Asian New Year?

Le: My favorite part of the PCC’s Asian New Year event is seeing all the children having fun. Whether they are part of the program and performing or if they are playing the various games we have, it is great to see them have fun. This creates a great atmosphere for not only the children but also their parents. Another one of my favorite things about this event is the $1 food.  We get a great meal for just one dollar; It’s the best deal there is.