June 7, 2026 | San Diego, California
ESC Club proudly partnered with Riverview International Academy (RIA) to host the 2026 Summer Culture Day on the RIA campus, bringing together students, families, educators, and community leaders for a vibrant celebration of multicultural learning and Chinese cultural heritage.
he event began with welcoming remarks from RIA Principal Mr. John Greenwell, who highlighted the importance of cultural understanding and global citizenship. ESC Club was also honored to welcome Ms. Lily Zhou, community leader and advocate for multicultural education, who delivered an inspiring speech encouraging students to embrace diversity, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
Riverview International Academy is recognized for its unique educational model, where students receive instruction in three languages, making it one of the most distinctive immersion public schools in the world. This vision aligns closely with ESC Club’s mission of promoting multicultural understanding and equal access to STEM and cultural education. The 2026 Summer Culture Day marked the second consecutive year of collaboration between ESC Club and RIA, continuing efforts to introduce Chinese culture and cross-cultural learning opportunities to a student population that is primarily Latino.
ESC Club student leaders Alex Tang and Ashley Tang welcomed families and participants throughout the event, while club members Junpeng, Lanting, Ming, and Zachary managed activity stations and guided students through the cultural experiences.
More than ten interactive cultural stations were offered throughout the day, allowing students and families to experience Chinese traditions through hands-on activities, including:
- Oreo Mooncakes (月饼制作)
- Chinese Paper Cutting (剪纸艺术)
- 3D Printed Chinese Cultural Art (3D打印中国文化艺术品)
- Five-Color Bracelets and Fragrant Sachets (五彩手链与香包)
- Chinese Zodiac Animals (十二生肖)
- Traditional Chinese Tie-Dye Art (扎染艺术)
- “50 States Cars” Educational Game
- Additional cultural and creative activity stations
One of the most popular attractions was the Traditional Chinese Tie-Dye Art Station, presented by Team Doufu. With a history spanning more than one thousand years, Chinese tie-dye is deeply connected to traditional salt culture and is often described as “blue-and-white porcelain on cloth.” Through stitching, tying, and dyeing fabric with natural plant-based colors, artisans create unique blue-and-white patterns, transforming each piece into a handmade work of art.
Another unforgettable highlight was the performance of Bian Lian (变脸), the famous Sichuan opera face-changing art. The rapid costume and mask transformations captivated audiences and left many students and parents amazed by this unique Chinese cultural tradition.
The event also attracted attention from local Chinese-language media. Community reporter Ms. Candy attended the celebration and conducted interviews with Principal John Greenwell, ESC Club adult advisors, and guest speaker Lily Zhou to help share the story of this meaningful cross-cultural partnership with the broader community.
“Events like Summer Culture Day demonstrate how culture, education, and community engagement can bring people together,” said ESC Club founder Alex Tang. “We are grateful to Riverview International Academy for continuing this partnership and helping students discover the beauty of different cultures through hands-on learning.”
ESC Club remains committed to its mission of ‘Inspired by Humanity and Empowered by Technology,’ promoting multicultural understanding, educational equity, and STEM opportunities for youth across the San Diego and U.S.-Mexico border communities.
