Tanghulu, also known as bingtang hulu, is a Northern Chinese candied fruit snack. Traditionally, tanghulu is made up of candied red hawthorn berries on a stick. However, the Rainbow Lions decided to switch it up for the month of love by opting out the red hawthorn berries for strawberries instead. With its vibrant red color and delightful flavor, the beloved strawberry has a history that stretches back to the Romans. Traced back to ancient Rome, it was linked to Venus, the goddess of love, and a legend promises love to those who share one.
Photo to the left is a captured image of the fruit tanghulu sold at the bake sale. JASLIE FANG
Inspired by the large Chinese community within the Rainbow Lions club, junior Erica Lu, a member, suggested making tanghulu for the bake sale. Since the treat was familiar to many, it became the perfect choice. Coincidentally, their choice to showcase a Chinese treat coincided with the festive weeks of Chinese New Year.
However, this showcase of the treats did not come without obstacles. Junior Lumi Leshane, a member of the Rainbow Lions, provided context into this process, explaining that the snow day on February 13th created difficulty for the bake sale seeing as the club “originally [was] going to have chocolate covered fruit as well but due to the extra days in the fridge we couldn't.”
Despite further challenges with fruit handling, storage planning, and even a minor burn for one member, freshmen Yasmina Goucem, Sophia Chen, and Helix Chen all agreed that while things got a bit bumpy, the club ultimately pulled together and "figured it out." Sure enough, they did, with a large turnout at the bake sale for the Chinese snacks and candy goody bags proving to be a testament to the club's ability to adapt and collaborate in the face of unforeseen challenges.
All proceeds from the bake sale directly benefited LGBTQ+ causes. Organizations like The Trevor Project, which provide crucial crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, will be among the recipients of the Rainbow Lions' generosity. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds can be used to fund a June event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.
As for the future of the Rainbow Lions, there is a possibility that the club will be partaking in the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) Day Of (No) Silence, characterized by Gouchem, Chen, and Chen as a nationally recognized and student-led protest. According to GLSEN’s website, the 2024 Day of (No) Silence is meant to take action and rise against the more than 800 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the last year. However, there’s still conversations regarding how to execute this protest at Malden High.
The Rainbow Lions extend a warm invitation to all interested individuals, embracing members of all gender identities and sexual orientations regardless of whether you identify as queer, cisgender, heterosexual, or allosexual. Connect with the Rainbow Lions on Instagram at @the_rainbow_lions or attend their meetings held in club advisor Jean Jones’s room (B230) every Friday after school.
