Mississippi State University Choral Director Charged with Embezzlement
By ZADIE WANG
Choral Director Gary Packwood of Mississippi State University has been charged with sending thirty-nine thousand dollars to his spouse. Under the guise of it being scholarship money, he allegedly embezzled this money for four years starting in 2018. The Mississippi State University page writes that he works for the administration and has been teaching conducting and performance assessment classes. Packwood, who leads four on-campus choirs (the Men of State, Women’s Chorale, University Chorale, and the State Singers), is now on paid administrative leave, says a University spokesperson.
His spouse, Joao Vilar Da Silva, 57, was never eligible to receive the scholarship money.
Lunar New Year Now Recognized as a New York Public School Holiday
By CORNELIA YE
On September 9, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that identifies the Lunar New Year as a public school holiday. The bill establishes that schools will be closed in observance.
Lunar New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar and is celebrated by billions of people from a wide array of cultures worldwide. While deeply rooted in Eastern Asian culture, its importance transcends borders, with many cultures introducing their own unique customs and traditions.
Governor Hochul hopes that the celebration’s designation as an official school holiday will promote the recognition of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, the vibrance of the state’s diversity, and the importance of understanding, inclusivity, and respect. Hochul remarks, “It is not just a day off from school—it is an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate their own or different cultures and traditions.”
The upcoming Lunar New Year will be celebrated on a weekend this year, Saturday, February 10, 2024, but ICSD will likely be closed in 2025 in accordance with the legislation.