2/21/26 Tsinghua Youth DMV Meetup: CNY Celebration with Tsinghua Alumni Association in Washington D.C.

By Shelby Xu

The Tsinghua Youth Connect (TYCon) DMV community came together to celebrate Chinese New Year in collaboration with the Tsinghua Alumni Association in Greater Washington, D.C. at Potomac Elementary School. The event was organized by the Tsinghua Alumni Association, who generously invited TYCon to join in the celebration.

The evening brought together second-generation members from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, with attendees ranging from young children to working professionals. Guests began the night by checking in, taking photos in front of a festive Chinese New Year backdrop, and reconnecting with friends old and new.

Dinner was catered by one of the Tsinghua alumni, and the room quickly filled with laughter, conversation, and joyful reunions among both the children and adults. The program continued with karaoke and raffle prizes, adding to the lively and celebratory atmosphere.

During dinner, I had the opportunity to introduce TYCon and share our mission with Tsinghua alumni parents, encouraging greater involvement and participation from the next generation.

Overall, the celebration provided a meaningful opportunity for TYCon members and Tsinghua alumni to connect beyond a single gathering and strengthen relationships within the DMV community. More importantly, the evening embodied the spirit of tuányuán (团圆) — coming together as one family during the Chinese New Year. As our Tsinghua community in the DMV continues to grow, so does our sense of belonging. This celebration was not just a holiday event, but a reminder that even far from home, we are building a larger Tsinghua family in the DMV, where Gen 1 and Gen 2 come together across generations.