Why Learn Chinese Competition
"How Does China Influence You?"
Fall 2012
WACE's "Why Learn Chinese Competition" is an written/visual submission-based competition that will take place this fall. Students
all over Washington can enter for a chance to win prizes of $200, $150, or $100 by creatively answering the question:
"How Does China Influence You?"
all over Washington can enter for a chance to win prizes of $200, $150, or $100 by creatively answering the question:
"How Does China Influence You?"
Watch the promotional video for the 2012-2013 WLC Competition!
More Info...
Competition Objectives
Our goal is to generate interest in learning Chinese among American students, to give them the competitive edge and global perspective needed to succeed in the modern-day economy, and to increase Chinese language learning capacity in Washington.
Like the Obama Administration’s goal for the 100,000 Strong Initiative (to send 100,000 American students to study in China over the next four years and immerse them in the culture of a country playing a huge role in global affairs), our vision for this competition is to help American students gain the competitive edge and global perspective needed to succeed in the modern-day economy by prompting them to think, “Why should we learn about China?” Through this grassroots initiative, we wish to engage and prepare students to enter the dynamic global environment of the 21st century, where we—the younger generation—will be responsible for maintaining the growing economic, political, and cultural ties between the US and China. Ultimately, we hope to spread awareness about the growing importance of learning Chinese, and provide a platform of expression for the reserve of community support for bringing Chinese into our schools.
Why Washington State?
Washington holds a unique place in US-China relations: located on the Pacific Coast, Washington is a prime gateway to international trade with China. Additionally, many Washington-based corporate giants such as Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon are heavily engaged with China. With its ever-increasing potential in the global market, China presents numerous opportunities for trade and foreign relations to Washington state. Currently, Seattle and Chongqing enjoy an active, vibrant relationship with exchange programs in the areas of education, arts and culture, science and technology, business, and government. As sister cities, Seattle and Chongqing have many opportunities to work closely with each other in fostering international cooperation and Chinese education.
Who can participate?
Middle and high school students (both those who have taken or are taking Chinese and those who have not taken Chinese) who reside in Washington State.
Competition Description
Middle and high school students who are studying Chinese or want to learn can submit either:
Online submissions until March 8, 2013. The entry must be original, in English or Chinese, and address the question: "How Does China Influence You?" Limit one entry per contestant.
All entries will be reviewed by a judging panel composed of certified teachers and professionals with Chinese experience. They will be looking for superior ideas, message, and content rather than writing/performing skills. The judges will select 1 first place, 1 second place, and 1 third place winner.
The grand prize winner will win a cash prize of $200. The second place winner will win a cash award of $150, and the third place winner will win a cash award of $100. The top 30 finalists will receive a letter of recognition and an invitation to the awards ceremony at the Seattle Chinese Garden in the middle of March.
Our goal is to generate interest in learning Chinese among American students, to give them the competitive edge and global perspective needed to succeed in the modern-day economy, and to increase Chinese language learning capacity in Washington.
Like the Obama Administration’s goal for the 100,000 Strong Initiative (to send 100,000 American students to study in China over the next four years and immerse them in the culture of a country playing a huge role in global affairs), our vision for this competition is to help American students gain the competitive edge and global perspective needed to succeed in the modern-day economy by prompting them to think, “Why should we learn about China?” Through this grassroots initiative, we wish to engage and prepare students to enter the dynamic global environment of the 21st century, where we—the younger generation—will be responsible for maintaining the growing economic, political, and cultural ties between the US and China. Ultimately, we hope to spread awareness about the growing importance of learning Chinese, and provide a platform of expression for the reserve of community support for bringing Chinese into our schools.
Why Washington State?
Washington holds a unique place in US-China relations: located on the Pacific Coast, Washington is a prime gateway to international trade with China. Additionally, many Washington-based corporate giants such as Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon are heavily engaged with China. With its ever-increasing potential in the global market, China presents numerous opportunities for trade and foreign relations to Washington state. Currently, Seattle and Chongqing enjoy an active, vibrant relationship with exchange programs in the areas of education, arts and culture, science and technology, business, and government. As sister cities, Seattle and Chongqing have many opportunities to work closely with each other in fostering international cooperation and Chinese education.
Who can participate?
Middle and high school students (both those who have taken or are taking Chinese and those who have not taken Chinese) who reside in Washington State.
Competition Description
Middle and high school students who are studying Chinese or want to learn can submit either:
- A written entry: an essay, poem, or song (recommended length: 500 words), or
- A video entry: of a song, poem, speech, or another creative format (recommended length: 5 minutes)
Online submissions until March 8, 2013. The entry must be original, in English or Chinese, and address the question: "How Does China Influence You?" Limit one entry per contestant.
All entries will be reviewed by a judging panel composed of certified teachers and professionals with Chinese experience. They will be looking for superior ideas, message, and content rather than writing/performing skills. The judges will select 1 first place, 1 second place, and 1 third place winner.
The grand prize winner will win a cash prize of $200. The second place winner will win a cash award of $150, and the third place winner will win a cash award of $100. The top 30 finalists will receive a letter of recognition and an invitation to the awards ceremony at the Seattle Chinese Garden in the middle of March.
Current Support
Government Officials US Ambassador to China Gary Locke See complete letter of support >> Governor Christine O. Gregoire See complete letter of support >> Congressman Rick Larsen See complete letter of support >> Sponsors/Partners: Seattle Chinese Garden, Washington State China Relations Council, Seattle-Chongqing Sister City Association, Confucius Institute of Washington, Chinese Language Teachers Association, Seattle Youth Venture, Microsoft CHIME, Northwest Chinese School, National Council of Chinese Americans (美国华人全国委员会), Center for Chinese Education Services(北美华文教育服务中心), Evergreen Bilingual Institute, Hong Kong Association of Washington Other Supporting Organizations: Asia Society, Teachers of a Critical Language Program, Spokane Chinese Dance Association, Asian Pacific Tours, Chinese Coalition, Newport High School Chinese Club |
Sponsorship Opportunities & Benefits
By sponsoring us, you are helping us give back to the community by providing more students with opportunities to learn Chinese—a language skill that is rapidly growing in demand as China's economy continues to surge forward—and connect with the Chinese culture through exchange programs.
We would appreciate anything that your organization can contribute, whether it is lending a name to support our initiative, donating funds/products, donating plane tickets, providing contacts (especially with the media), or participating in the awards ceremony.
Benefits of becoming a sponsor:
We would appreciate anything that your organization can contribute, whether it is lending a name to support our initiative, donating funds/products, donating plane tickets, providing contacts (especially with the media), or participating in the awards ceremony.
Benefits of becoming a sponsor:
- Advertising within the community through state-wide media (newspapers, radio stations), community fairs and events, fliers, libraries, school districts, Chinese schools, Asian centers, and word-of-mouth.
- Your logo or link featured on our website, facebook (the most effective ways to reach students today), twitter, all event webpages, sponsors’ and supporting organizations’ websites or blogs, websites of local newspapers, and all materials handed out to all event attendees and consumers of our services.
- The chance to establish a meaningful relationship with communities all over Washington, and with the younger, internet-savvy generation of American students.
- The chance to attend and/or set up a booth at the awards ceremony to advertise your company/organization.
- The opportunity to help American youth become aware of China’s vital role in the current global economy, and to invest in the next generation of China experts and global citizens.
Congratulations to the Top 3 Winners!
During the months of December and January, 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, “How has China influenced you?” 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 20 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 20 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 20, the following 3 winners were chosen for their truly outstanding effort, originality of ideas, and evident passion for Chinese.
The top 20 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 20, the following 3 winners were chosen for their truly outstanding effort, originality of ideas, and evident passion for Chinese.
First Place Winner
Leah Sprague
Grade level: 10
School: Forest Ridge High School
School District: Bellevue
Format: Essay
“China has influenced me beyond just the tourist experiences. Communication is more than conversation but understanding people’s perspectives – personal and cultural - and reading signs from their body language instead of just listening to their words. “
“A lot of China’s perspectives are influenced by its history – from its different dynasties and the start of the new China, to the impact of Confucius.”
School: Forest Ridge High School
School District: Bellevue
Format: Essay
“China has influenced me beyond just the tourist experiences. Communication is more than conversation but understanding people’s perspectives – personal and cultural - and reading signs from their body language instead of just listening to their words. “
“A lot of China’s perspectives are influenced by its history – from its different dynasties and the start of the new China, to the impact of Confucius.”
Second Place Winner
Chunyang Ding
Grade level: 10
School: Interlake High School
School District: Bellevue
Format: Essay
“Since moving to the much larger city of Seattle, many things that I mistakenly thought were simple have been explored past the bounds of my imagination. According to old beliefs, I would have broken down, unable to move past the stigma of tradition. But today, I face tomorrow’s challenge in the face, willingly risking any form of humiliation or lack of sleep to gain a better understanding, of the world and its peoples... Today, China has taught me how to adapt.”
School: Interlake High School
School District: Bellevue
Format: Essay
“Since moving to the much larger city of Seattle, many things that I mistakenly thought were simple have been explored past the bounds of my imagination. According to old beliefs, I would have broken down, unable to move past the stigma of tradition. But today, I face tomorrow’s challenge in the face, willingly risking any form of humiliation or lack of sleep to gain a better understanding, of the world and its peoples... Today, China has taught me how to adapt.”
Third Place Winner
Emily Jones
Grade level: 12
School: Skyline High School
School District: Issaquah
Format: Essay
“The most common response I receive when people see my parents and me is a quizzical, confused look. I patiently wait as my parents explain that I was adopted from China. The typical response is, “You’re a lucky one.” I’ve always been aware that it was pure chance I was adopted from a small village in China with no electricity, to live in a suburb outside of Seattle. I had done nothing to deserve my dramatically improved circumstances; I often wonder why I was given the opportunity thousands of orphans never get.”
School: Skyline High School
School District: Issaquah
Format: Essay
“The most common response I receive when people see my parents and me is a quizzical, confused look. I patiently wait as my parents explain that I was adopted from China. The typical response is, “You’re a lucky one.” I’ve always been aware that it was pure chance I was adopted from a small village in China with no electricity, to live in a suburb outside of Seattle. I had done nothing to deserve my dramatically improved circumstances; I often wonder why I was given the opportunity thousands of orphans never get.”
Congratulations to the top 20 finalists!
Jeremiah Aiono
Jasmine Richards
Liban Mohamud
Richard Nguyen
Katie Leeper
Vica Tkatch
Matthew Rockett
Fame Lerber
Caitlin Fleming
Leah Sprague
Johan How
Ker Lee
Andrea Scallon
Sonia Scallon
Chunyang Ding
Jenny Phan
Alice Baker
Matthew Wo
Emily Jones
Lenara Litmanovich
Jasmine Richards
Liban Mohamud
Richard Nguyen
Katie Leeper
Vica Tkatch
Matthew Rockett
Fame Lerber
Caitlin Fleming
Leah Sprague
Johan How
Ker Lee
Andrea Scallon
Sonia Scallon
Chunyang Ding
Jenny Phan
Alice Baker
Matthew Wo
Emily Jones
Lenara Litmanovich