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Lowell marks Cambodian New Year with flag-raising, proclamation and student performances
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Summary
Lowell Community Charter Public School and the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association hosted a Cambodian New Year celebration featuring student performances, speeches from school and city leaders, a city proclamation declaring April Cambodian Heritage Month, and announcements of community events.
Deborah Motu, deputy chief operating officer at Lowell Community Charter Public School, opened a Cambodian New Year celebration in Lowell with greetings and acknowledgements of students, staff and community partners.
Nicholas Leonados, executive director of LCCPS, welcomed the crowd, noted the school’s 25 years in Lowell and introduced performances by the kindergarten class and the school’s Khmer dance and percussion groups. Leonados invited the audience to a flower dance performed by the students.
Sydney Leung, board vice president of the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and a Lowell city councilor representing District 7, thanked performers and community members and announced a vigil at the plaza on the 17th at 5:30 p.m. “So, year of the horse … bring more power, bring more fire,” Leung said, inviting residents to upcoming events.
Superintendent Skinner of Lowell Public Schools praised the Cambodian community’s resilience and contributions. "They rebuilt our city," Skinner said, noting Cambodian families’ roles in opening businesses, strengthening neighborhoods and contributing to local politics, schools and civic life.
Mayor Eric (introduced in the program as Eric) framed the flag-raising as a symbol of heritage, resilience and unity and recognized several elected officials and community leaders in attendance. He invited Vice Mayor Vesna Nguyen to read a city proclamation.
Vice Mayor Vesna Nguyen read the proclamation declaring April as Cambodian Heritage Month in Lowell, reciting the city’s reasons for the recognition and the ceremonial language that appears in the printed proclamation. The proclamation text in the program cited the contributions of Cambodian residents and encouraged Lowell residents to recognize the community’s history and culture.
The celebration included a kindergarten performance and community announcements: a Khmer New Year event at the Lowell Senior Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon with a parade at 12:30 p.m., and a Khmer New Year celebration at Clemente/Bailin Park on April 18 from noon to 5 p.m. The program closed with a wreath-laying ceremony led by Susie Chunn and other community members and final remarks from Motu.
Attendance and remarks emphasized community pride and the role of local schools, nonprofit partners and city officials in supporting Cambodian cultural traditions in Lowell. No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the event; the city proclamation was read as a ceremonial recognition.
