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3 hours & 23 minutes ago
2012 Bok Kai Hostess recalls festival as child
Saturday, Feb. 25
11 a.m. — The 132nd Bok Kai Festival Parade, downtown Marysville
2 p.m. — Lion Dancing and Blessing of local businesses
1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. — Multicultural performances, Second Street between C and D streets
10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Tours of the Chinese American History Museum of Northern California, 232 First St.
Tours of the local history archives at Yuba County Library, 303 Second St.
Sunday, Feb. 26
10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Tours of the Chinese American History Museum of Northern California, 232 First St.
3 p.m. — Tea at the Chinese American History Museum of Northern California, 232 First St.
2 p.m. and 4 p.m. — Tours of the local history archives at the Yuba County Library, 303 Second St.
4 p.m. — Firing of the Bombs, First and C streets.
For more information about the festival, visit: www.bokkaifestival.com
Stephanie Suen used to love to watch the Bok Kai parade lion dancers perched atop her father's shoulders.
"And I remember, when I was really little, the firecrackers were so loud, they scared me," Suen recalled of the annual Chinese festival in Marysville.
The 21-year-old Yuba City High product was named 2012 Bok Kai Hostess this weekend and said she feels "honored" to have been selected.
"I grew up knowing all about the temple and how old it is and I just think it's very, very exciting," Suen said.
Suen graduated from Yuba City High School in 2008. During her time there she enjoyed swimming and tennis and played in the string section of the high school orchestra.
She graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Irvine, just a few months ago.
The hyper-achieving public heath and business student actually received special approval from the college to take more than maximum class-load allowed.
"The most you can take is 18 units, but I received approval to take 21 units during one quarter," Suen said.
Suen also took intersession and summer classes, which helped her graduate early.
Currently, Suen conducts "confidential research" at the University of California, San Francisco.
"I really can't talk about it, but, hopefully, it will end up being something that everybody knows about," Suen said.
The oldest daughter of Ron and Lucy Suen, who came from Hong Kong, Suen and her sister, Stacy, are the first generation of her family to be born and raised in the United States.
"It was very nice of them to pick me," Suen said. "It's quite an honor."
CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.
