####88 Shanghai Kickoff Party On March 2, NYU Shanghai began its first graduation countdown with a kickoff party 88 days before graduation — 88 in particular because the number eight is considered lucky in Chinese culture. At the event, attendance for which was limited to the Class of 2017, seniors performed for their classmates, including the original Reality Show cast singing one final song. A museum-like section displayed photos and memories of the inaugural class throughout their four years, and volunteers sold Class of 2017 merchandise such as caps and sweatshirts featuring logos and memories from the first class.

####NYU Shanghai students attend China-U.S. relations symposium On Feb. 24, 18 students from NYUSH attended the US-China Relations in the Age of Trump symposium hosted by Duke Kunshan University. NYUSH professor Dan Guttman was on the panel, alongside both Chinese and international experts. The panelists expressed concern over President Donald Trump’s apparent disbelief in climate change and acknowledged China’s aim to be the world’s most powerful country. The NYUSH students present at the symposium were supported by a collaboration between NYUSH’s International Politics Chapter and Green Shanghai.

####Lantern Festival Celebrations The Chinese Lantern Festival, celebrated this year on Feb. 15, traditionally marks the end of the 15-day period of Chinese New Year celebrations. At NYUSH, Student Life and the Chinese Language Program collaborated to organize a celebration for students. Events included lantern making, Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese dances and Chinese riddles.

####Terrible Ideas Hackathon NYU Shanghai’s first Stupid Shit No One Needs and Terrible Ideas Hackathon is now open for sign-ups. Scheduled to be held on April 21 and 22, the unusual Hackathon is modeled after the one hosted by NYU New York’s Interactive Telecommunication Program, which led to the creation of useless products like an Assistive Pizza Eating Device and a Non-Ad Block, which blocks everything except ads on a webpage. With any luck, NYU Shanghai students will be able to create even more unnecessary and quirky products.