The sound of drums echoed through the gymnasium of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown Thursday as students began their celebration marking the start of the Lunar New Year. The school's annual performance is an opportunity for students to showcase their talents while learning more about Chinese culture with their classmates. "We're so proud of our culture," said Lisa Oi, the school's principal. "You really don't have to be Chinese or Asian to really appreciate it. As you can see, all of our children love to participate in it." The Lunar New Year, which began Tuesday, is a centuries-old tradition that marks the end of winter and the start of a new year with a new moon. Year of the Horse celebrations will last for 15 days — until March 3.Preparations for Thursday's performance started months ago. Students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade worked with music teachers and choreographers to bring the event to life. Oi said she watched as students grew more confident with their routines as they rehearsed. "If you saw them in August, they do not want anything to do with that stage," Oi said. "But now, they're just, like, little stage lovers."As the the drums fell silent in the gymnasium, student voices picked up in excitement, ready for what was to come. An orange dragon began circling around the perimeter of the space. Students operating the dragon strategically paced their steps to make the puppet look like was alive. Students danced around the stage holding red silk fans that symbolized wishes for prosperity, health and success in the coming year. Early learners — as young as three and four-years-old — performed the Bianpao dance with firecrackers to bring good luck and drive away bad fortune. Logan Lin (third from right), 7, performs during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 1 of 14 Students perform a dragon dance during the Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 2 of 14 A student stands behind dragon dancers during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 3 of 14 A student wears a ribbon on her head during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 4 of 14 Students walk back to their seats while others go up a stage during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 5 of 14 Luo Luo, 6, and Kayla Ho, 6, perform a “Go Fish” dance during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 6 of 14 Josephine Wu, 4, performs a firecracker dance during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 7 of 14 Students react to a performance during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 8 of 14 Walton Jue (left), 9, and Helen Lai, 8, perform a ballroom dance during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 9 of 14 Helen Lee, 11, performs a “fan dance” during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 10 of 14 Students perform during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown, Thursday on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 11 of 14 Walton Jue, 9, performs during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 12 of 14 Charlotte Mellor, 5, performs during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 13 of 14 Students perform a firecracker dance during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 14 of 14 One student, first-grader Logan Lin, took center stage as he performed in the Yong Qi "courage" dance alongside his classmates. Lin and his classmates wore traditional red garments and danced around the stage in a choreographed routine.Lin said he was "very excited" to dance with his class. It was a whole school effort, said Joe Delfin, the school's music teacher. "Fortunately, our students are professionals," Delfin said. He has watched alumni, who used to be performers in the annual celebration, return to the show with their kids."They're starting their own traditions," Delfin said. "We hope that these students will really appreciate their culture and share it with their neighbors, friends and their families as well." ...read more read less