THIS Arts Festival ended in late May. But one event still lingers in the community's memory: the Art Carnival, organized entirely by THIS Parent Council.
The morning of the carnival, rain poured. Forecasters had warned of an 85 percent chance. But at 3:00 pm, just before the start, the rain stopped. The sun broke through.
For many, that moment was more moving than the sunshine itself.
It Starts with Heart
As is tradition, THIS Parent Council has run a carnival during Arts Festival for years, each time trying something new. This year’s change: no third-party game vendors, only the stage, sound system, and tents were outsourced. Parents and teachers handled everything else: from stalls to logistics.
"This year, we Parent Council members not only proposed the event but worked alongside the school at every stage," said Ms. Pei Pei Liou, the lead planner. "It was a true home-school collaboration, full of synergy."
Pei Pei Liou (L), member of THIS Parent Council, prepares home-made milk tea with her family member at the Carnival's fair market.
The result, she said, was years of trust finally put into action. Many parents juggled multiple roles. Their goal was to create better campus memories for the students.
No Rules on Stage, No Borders at Market
This year's talent show at the Carnival could be called "Free-Spirited Performance" — no fixed format, no style limits. Registration was open to all, with minimal screening.
The outcome: 26 acts, including singing, dancing, instrumental music, and poetry reading. One parent dance group even included several teachers. Their performance, a pop dance, was dazzling.
Nearby, 22 booths filled the outdoor playground. Sugar figures, hand-dyed fans, 3D-printed gadgets, cotton candy, ring toss, beef burgers, waffles, milk tea and ice cream abounded. The result was a loud, fragrant, cheerful scene.
A standout was Class 1P's Zootopia art gallery. Children used acrylics, watercolors, and colored pencils to create works that drew upperclassmen to stop, admire, and buy. Art bridged ages.
"Merging the talent show with the Market Fair created a more joyful atmosphere," said THIS Executive Principal Zhu Ying. "At the Carnival, students enjoyed a bigger stage and quality time with family and friends," she added.
THIS Executive Principal Zhu Ying (R) and Vice Director of College Counciling Amy Zou (L) attend the Carnival.
First-time attendee and a parent, Renee Zhao was blown away. "Youth isn't just for kids," she said. "Through this carnival, we got to relive it, too."
The Parent Council Store designed four new themed badges and a "THIS Family" apron, along with the event's key visuals and program booklets. The souvenirs went to every performer and volunteer warming their hearts.
Rain Did Not Breaks Their Resolve
Two weeks before the event, weather warnings appeared. Three days out, the chance of rain hit 85 percent. The organizers were anxious but did not flinch. They rechecked venues, reshuffled acts, and braced for the extra workload, which included a backup date for the following week. All of this planning had one goal: a beautiful event.
On that day, rain fell steadily and nerve-wrackingly until just before the 3:00 p.m. opening. The carnival went ahead as scheduled.
Ms. Liou recalled: "After the rain, the sun lit up the puddles like a fairy tale. I didn't have time to find a rainbow — so I drew one in my heart, with every one of us standing on it."
Around 100 parent volunteers worked before, during, and after the event, from rehearsal coordination to booth setup to stage management and cleanup. Their presence was the day’s quiet backbone.
Sun Came, and Love Came
This year's Art Carnival put the lively, open culture of THIS on full display, rain or shine. It deepened home-school ties and built a vibrant sense of community.
Toni Dong, THIS Vice Principal of Operations, praised the Parent Council members as well as all of the volunteers who spent time and effort in putting on the carnival:
"Special thanks to the THIS Parent Council and all the parent volunteers for your dedicated efforts! From the talent stage to the fair market, your enthusiasm and wisdom lit up the rainbow after the rain, turning the carnival into the most beautiful fairy tale in the children's hearts. This warmth of home-school collaboration and shared growth truly embodies the campus culture of THIS Family."
Because, as the saying goes, it all starts with caring for THIS community.
What touched people the most was that every child and every family found their own sense of worth on this day. The entire school felt like one big community, full of joy, ease, and abundant love.
Parent Council member Song Jingjing could hardly contain herself: "You are all amazing! I can't wait for next year." Another parent, Christina, added: "I'm exhausted, but my heart is full. Everyone is already dreaming about next year's carnival."
That day, love, like an umbrella, protected us from the rain. Then, like a flower, that same love bloomed in the sunshine.
Appendix：Acknowledgement of Parent Volunteers for Art Festival Carnival
（The names listed below are not in any particular orders.）
Peipei Liou, Xu Nan, Xu Nan, Lu Jing, Zhang Xuemei, Hai Ling, He Han, Song Jingjing, Zhou Ping, Du Si, Jin Jie, Zheng Xiaojiao, Bian Wei, Li Wanting, Liu Li, Li Lin, Yu Feifei, Liang Anni, Zhu Li, Feng Lin, Duan Li, Wu Shuang, Li Ying, He Yimo, Qi Yue, Chen Ge, Fan Gong, Gao Yuan, Liu Yan, Li Xinying, Yan Jing, Gao Shumin, Zhang Tong, Tang Haoyi, Arwen de baba mama he laolao, Eric Pei mama, Matthew mama, Alice mama, Zhao Xia, Qi Xiaofei, Panpan, Sara Yang, Fumika Yagi, Juan Yuan, Jessie, Runhua Yang, Renee Zhao, Sonia Ma, Ada Wang, Kate Li, Rose, USAGSO, Jolie Yao, Gang Tu, Sanders Ho, Liuyi, Yinghui Diao, Tina, Angela Xiao, Rita, Mircea, Christina, Grace, Chloe, Polly Zhang, Melissa, Yue Qi, Anita Xiao, Claudia, Jing, Sissi, Catriona Yue, Zhang Jiarong.
