Campus Culture

Behind the Scenes of Taiwanese Affinity at the 2026 WPA Night Market

Kristin C., Editor • May 17, 2026

Members of Taiwanese Affinity and I at our booth. Most of our 25 person affinity stopped by to help out throughout the night.

For each of the three years I’ve been a Taiwanese Affinity co-head, our affinity has held a booth at the annual WPA Night Market. My first year was a bit of a disaster, where we tried (relatively unsuccessfully) to sell tea, and one of our affinity members had to keep running to wash cups for our tea ceremony. Last year, we pivoted to giving out samples of store-bought Taiwanese snacks and drinks while running a mahjong table. Finally, as a senior, I now understand what makes a fun booth for both attendees and affinity members.

1:00 p.m.:

For the school-wide Lunar New Year celebration just a few months prior, we had already made marinated chili cucumbers and sweet potato balls inspired by Din Tai Fung and MeetFresh (two major Taiwanese chains). After it was a hit with Upper School students, we decided to do it again. Now experienced, my co-head Shania W. ’27 and I, with the help of Joovy C. ’27, speedran and bought all our ingredients within 30 minutes at our local Ranch 99.

Shania and I have long gotten used to the incredulous stares and laughter we get when Ranch 99 employees see a few teenagers buy their entire stock of Persian cucumbers. (Kristin C. ’26)

2:00 p.m.:

Back at my house, we decided to split up the work. After years of making boba and Taiwanese foods, we have become professionals and quickly got to work.

Shania begins boiling the tang yuan sweet potato balls while I chop the toppings. (Joovy C. ’27)

3:30 p.m.:

Since Shania and Joovy both had to take the SAT that morning, we were pressed for time, but that means our food is fresh!

With just an hour left until we have to be at the Night Market, the three of us focus on our respective ingredients. (Kristin C. ’26)

5:15 p.m.:

Affinity members set up mahjong, posters about Taiwan (the night market experience in Taiwan is like no other!), and crack jokes.

Five members of the 25 in the Taiwanese Affinity taking their turn portioning out and taste testing the food. (Ailis H. ’29)

5:47 p.m.:

Mahjong is always a big hit at affinity meetings and for new players. It’s a little complicated, but everyone learns more about Taiwanese culture and the characters on the tiles. Plus, the mahjong set is Hello Kitty themed! A big crowd starts to form, and a nine-year-old boy who has an older sister at Westridge sits with us almost the entire evening to play.

Co-head Shania W. ’27 teaching Spyglass Social Media Manager and Editor Frances B. ’27 how to play mahjong and helping her win her first ever game. (Sabrina C. ’26)

7:38 p.m.:

The Night Market connects students, alumnae, prospective families, and so many more! I get to introduce my affinity to friends across the Westridge community.

Reconnecting with Divya L. ’33, my Tiger-Cub from last year, after her singing and dance performances. (Ashwini Lakshmanan ’97)

As a senior going into my ninth year at Westridge, I was looking forward to growing closer with the classmates in my grade, but didn’t realize how many incoming freshmen were Taiwanese. Getting to watch them grow more confident and pass down senior advice has been a big highlight of my last year at Westridge.

Behind the Scenes of Taiwanese Affinity at the 2026 WPA Night Market

Spyglass