Written by Doris Guo and Hannah Cheng (Class of 2027)
Photos by Selene Luong (Class of 2027), Gabby Nguyen(Class of 2026) and Anna Huang(Class of 2026)

On December 17, students, teachers, and families gathered at Wonderful Words Hall for the annual Winter Banquet and Potluck, a celebration of the successful semester and the community’s hard work. The event brought everyone together to enjoy festive performances, delicious food, and joyful holiday spirit.

This year’s banquet featured a potluck organized by students, with dishes generously provided by beloved members of the DVGS community. Many were handmade by devoted teachers and student parents. The school contributed dishes such as baked cheese balls, gnocchi, mashed potatoes, and an assortment of beverages. Other community members brought mac and cheese, fresh fruit, milk tea, boba, focaccia bread, and Chinese specialties. As a fully community-based event, many families also participated—including those of elementary school students, who provided side dishes, appetizers, and drinks such as mozzarella cheese sticks, cheese and black olive appetizers, and juice boxes.

Throughout the event, the hall echoed with warmth, laughter, and delighted remarks about the delicious spread. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the menu so diverse and inviting!

Once guests had their food, the performances began. The Chinese Orchestra opened with a Christmas medley, filling the hall with festive energy. Next, dancers from grades 2–5 joined together with their older sisters and took the stage with an energetic routine that captivated the audience. Then the Junior High class presented a short play adaptation of A Christmas Carol, conveying an important holiday message.

The Chinese Dance Club followed with a special medley blending holiday, K-pop, and other dance styles, further lifting spirits. Students from grades 9–10 performed two Christmas songs, accompanied by Miranda on piano.

Then, the school band showcased their instrumental talents in a memorable set. Finally, the senior class closed the performances with a lively Jingle Bell Rock dance, spreading laughter and joy throughout the celebration.

The Winter Banquet is more than an annual marker of the fall semester’s end, it is a meaningful way to honor the school community and its accomplishments over the past year. Through preparing and sharing in this event, the DVGS community bid a sincere farewell to 2025 and offered a warm welcome to 2026. With gratitude for the past and bright hopes for the future, students and teachers left with full stomachs and wide smiles. Happy Holidays!