Eye Dotting 2011
Every dragon boat festival in the world honors its roots - especially through one crucial ceremony that must take place before the first boat’s paddles slip into the water. Chinese Emperors of old called themselves ‘Dragons.’ Dragon boats have good spirits dedicated to providing enjoyment for the racers and spectators. The ceremony is an ancient rite that precedes every dragon boat festival.
The act of dotting the eyes of dragons is to awaken the spirit of the dragon. According to Chinese mythology, the dragon sleeps in the mountains and travels to the water once awoken.
To "awaken" the dragon, the dignitaries are led down to the water's edge, where the dragon boats await. The guests take brushes in hand, dip them in pots of red cinnabar paint, and then dab the eyes on the "blind" figurehead of each dragon boat.
Once the dignitaries have successfully resuscitated the ‘dragons,' they will pave the way for future successful races.
We're honored to have local dignitaries awaken the dragons for the 5th Annual Finger Lakes International Dragon Boat Festival.
Vito Brancato
English Teacher, Boynton Middle School, Member of Ithaca Dragon Boat Club
Vito Brancato has been an English teacher at Boynton Middle School for the last 35 years. For the last six years he has been a part of the Ithaca Dragon Boat Club and has been paddling competitively with the team at many festivals. In addition, he has organized and led groups of Boynton students on dragon boat field trips for the last five years, exposing hundreds of young people to the rigors and joys of dragon boating as well as passing on its history and culture. This past year one hundred and fifty six graders from Dewitt Middle School experienced dragon boating this past June. As a result of these activities and other youth outreach efforts by the Ithaca Asian-American Association, the Ithaca Dragon Boat Club youth program has expanded dramatically.
Dr. Luvelle Brown
Superintendent, Ithaca City School District
Luvelle Brown started as Superintendent for the Ithaca City School District on January 1, 2011. Before arriving in Ithaca, he has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Executive Director for Division and School Improvement, and Chief Information Officer.
Dr. Brown received 4 degrees, his Bachelor of Science, Masters of Teaching, Education Specialist, and Doctorate of Education from the University of Virginia.
Dr. Brown is an active member of many professional and civic organizations including, Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, International Society for Technology in Education, Phi Delta Kappa International, American Association of School Administrators, New York State Council of School Superintendents, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and 100 Black Men of America.
Dr. Brown enjoys reading, fishing, and playing basketball. He resides in Ithaca with his wife, Anjie and daughter, Landyn.
Carolyn Peterson
Mayor, City of Ithaca
Carolyn Peterson was elected mayor in 2004 and is the first female mayor of the city of Ithaca, New York. Ms. Peterson served as Councilwoman for the fourth ward of Ithaca, 2002/2003, and the fifth ward 1984-1992. She serves on the Executive Board of the New York Conference of Mayors. She was most recently appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Lisa Jackson to serve on the Local Government Advisory Committee for the EPA.
Aside from day to day management of the city as the Chief Executive Officer, her administration has emphasized leadership in green initiatives and the Mayor's climate change protection efforts, community-wide efforts in affordable housing, sustainable development and improving infrastructure for downtown, neighborhoods and parks, improving city and departmental strategies in communication and diversity, and intermunicipal shared services/programs.
In 2009, she was honored to receive the Harriet Tubman Spirit Award from Ithaca's St. James AME Zion Church. She has served on various boards and committees including the Conservation Advisory Council, Energy Commission, Foodnet, and Natural Areas Committee. As mayor, she also chairs the Board of Public Works and the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency. She serves on community boards such as the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, Tompkins County Area Development, and the Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council.