international 219 Celebration While in many ways Harding became home for students during the time they attended, for many international students like graduate student Tiana Li, it was still important to be able to remember and celebrate the culture of their home countries. One organization that strove to do this was the Harding Chinese Students and Scholars Association (HCSSA). “We want to let all the Chinese people get together,” Li said. “Sometimes we get homesick, so if we can be together, that helps.” As president of the association, Li had the responsibility of organizing events that HCSSA put on and also collecting and raising money from members and outside supporters. The biggest event for the HCSSA was the Moon Festival, which was put on each fall and open to anyone. Included in the course of the evening was a meal of traditional Chinese food and performances by some of the students. “I asked [Chinese students] if they had any talents and if they would like to perform in the festival,” Li said. “Most people are happy to do it.” Li was one of the performers at the festival and executed a Kung Fu routine for those present. Her talent in martial arts began long before coming to Harding. “In 1994, my father [made] me do [Kung Fu] because my health wasn’t very good, and it helped me,” Li said. “After about two weeks I started to like it. My teacher was very funny and made it interesting.” After her start in martial arts at the age of eight, Li attended what she called “sport school” from age 11 to 17 which consisted of a routine of exercising in the morning, taking four classes during the day and training for martial arts in the afternoon and evening. Li competed in many competitions in China and even won several gold medals. Though she still practiced Kung Fu after coming to Harding, it was not as central in her life as it was before. “I think knowledge is more important for me,” Li said. “When you go to get a job, no one will care how many medals you won in your childhood and teenage years. It won’t help them do their business.” Working toward her Master’s in Business Administration at Harding, Li hoped to get a job in the states to gain experience before going back to China. Li said she enjoyed her time at Harding and meeting new friends. “Many people think [Harding] is very conservative, but I like it,” Li said. Through her involvement in HCSSA, Li was able to share the Chinese culture with others on campus. “I think it’s a really good idea because we can show Chinese culture to America and let them know more about us,” Li said about having events like the Moon festival through HCSSA. “If you know more about each other, maybe you’ll want to build relationships and be friends.” Emily Hauptli Chinese Student Performs At Festival Italian Club African Missions Fellowship Row 1: E. Hartley, A. Reeves, M. Love, J. Granberg, M. Yates, L. Shaffer, M. Dean. Row 2: J. Striclyn, J. Striclyn, T. Jones, K. Mueller, P. Mainprize, H. Watkins, K. Maynard, C. Davidson. Row 3: S. Hug, D. Kiser, B. Custer, A. Owens, S. Kerr, L. Steger, D. Bentley, L. Nossaman. Row 4: S. Barnett, N. Martz, S. Borgelt, D. Molina, C. Elder, K. Parker, E. Crooks, J. Bakke, T. Box. Row 5: B. Parker, L. Brumfield, N. Freeman, J. Amend, J. Przeczewski, K. Coffey, J. Nason, K. Davis, J. Sims. Row 6: R. Gabriel, Z. Seagle, M. Watson, J. Mendenhall, H. Dell, K. Tobey, A. Mullins, D. Reese, J. Reese. Row 7: T. Stickel, K. Holton, M. Berryman. Row 1: S. Fisher, M. Scharff, J. Love (Sponsor), B. Stovall. Row 2: J. Joseph, K. Arbuckle, M. Horton, G. Jones, C. Mannen. Row 3: N. Burrows, C. McKeever, K. Cavender, R. West. Row 4: J. Hill, C. Dufrenne, D. Shackelford.
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