CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FINAL SIX WINNERS
of the Why Learn Chinese Competition
Left to right: Megan Lu, Kate Lipscomb, Lee Xie, Andy Lin, Mason Ji, Katarina Nguyen
During the months of October and November, WACE received an overwhelming amount of submissions from applicants all across the state. Each applicant brought creative ideas and unique answers to the difficult question, “Why Learn Chinese?” Our panel of judges carefully reviewed each entry and were extremely impressed by the amount of creativity and passion for Chinese learning and culture demonstrated by middle and high school students. Choosing the top 30 finalists among such a talented body of students was no easy task; and choosing the final six winners was even more challenging. It is truly comforting to know that there are so many globally-conscious students in Washington who are already eagerly immersing themselves in Chinese and promoting this critical language in their communities.
The top 30 finalists (below) were invited to WACE's Awards Ceremony at the largest Sichuan-style garden outside of China, the Seattle Chinese Garden. And out of those 30, the following six winners (depicted above) were chosen for their truly outstanding effort, originality of ideas, and evident passion for Chinese.
1st Place/Grand Prize Winner
Mason Ji
Grade: 12
School: Interlake High School
School District: Bellevue School District
Entry format: Essay
Excerpts:
“…we need to have people who have learned Chinese, for they will be key bridges between the two nations in the future.”
“Learning Chinese in an English-speaking society fosters self-discipline and dedication, for it takes motivation and resilience to continue learning the language.”
School: Interlake High School
School District: Bellevue School District
Entry format: Essay
Excerpts:
“…we need to have people who have learned Chinese, for they will be key bridges between the two nations in the future.”
“Learning Chinese in an English-speaking society fosters self-discipline and dedication, for it takes motivation and resilience to continue learning the language.”
2nd Place Winners
Megan LuGrade: 6
School: Heather Wood Middle School School District: Everett Entry format: Essay Excerpts: “…learning Chinese can give a person many opportunities. It allows people to reach out and be more multicultural in meeting new people and making new friends, opens possible job choices, and lets you learn about a whole new culture that may be different from yours. “ |
Katarina NguyenGrade: 12
School: Edmonds-Woodway High School School District: Edmonds Entry format: Essay Excerpts: “In the workplace, it facilitates international communications and business opportunities, expediting political symbiotic relationships with one of the globe’s leading nations.” “Learning Chinese allows me to expand my knowledge and grow as an individual as I develop lifelong skills, gaining opportunities to communicate globally and increase international unity as well as sate my thirst for knowledge.” |
3rd Place Winners
Kate LipscombGrade: 6
School: Madrona K-8 School District: Edmonds Entry format: Essay Excerpts: “Learning Chinese would be a great way to see China firsthand. And being able to use your Chinese skills while traveling in China would be a great experience.” “China and its history are important. We should study Chinese to learn from the past.” |
Andy LinGrade Level: 12
School: Skyline High School School District: Issaquah Entry format: Essay Excerpts: “A foreigner in China who can’t speak Chinese is excluded from an integral part of the experience - interacting with the 1.3 billion people. I was missing out.” |
Lee XieGrade Level: 11
School: Skyline High School School District: Issaquah Entry format: Essay Excerpts: “But most of all, I want all of my family in China to know that even if I live in the United States, I have not forgotten where my roots are. I want them to understand that although I was born in New York, I am still Chinese, and I will never forget.” |
Congratulations to the Top 30 Finalists!
Alisa Billig
Andy Lin Andy Tan Audrey Stokes Cindy Liang Cynthis Wong David Bloomsburg Elan Ma Jack Chakerian Jessica Li |
Joey Thai
Johnny Xu Katarina Nguyen Kate Lipscomb Lee Xie Maggie MacMichael Mason Ji Maple Tan Megan Lu Menglan Ji |
Minh Nguyen
Nicolas Khamphilom Po Bodin Scott Tornquist Shawn Lee Shirley Chung Shu Ying Liang Sophie Stahura Teresa Jiang Winston Lin |