The 1st “Celebrating Double Tenth, I Love Taiwan” Creative Speech Competition was held on the afternoon of October 5th (last Saturday) at the Nanwan Overseas Chinese Education Center, with a total of 23 enthusiastic participants competing and an award ceremony held afterwards.
The competition was organized by the Northern California Chinese School Association, co-sponsored by the Chinese Enterprise Association, and sponsored by the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China. Participants were divided into elementary school Group A, elementary school Group B, junior high school group, and high school group. The contestants dressed up elaborately in various costumes such as wedding dresses, flight attendant uniforms, Taiwanese indigenous attire, traditional Chinese clothing, and showcased their talents. Some sang and danced, some played musical instruments, and some used props like abacuses or diabolos to share their experiences and feelings in Taiwan through their speeches, praising Taiwan’s cuisine, scenic beauty, convenient lifestyle, and the warm hospitality of its people, expressing their love for Taiwan.
The president of the Northern California Chinese School Association, Li Naya, expressed to Dajiyuan that today’s competition left her deeply moved. She initially hoped that children could joyfully showcase their talents in the competition, but the content of the speeches profoundly touched her. She said, “The love and understanding that these children have for Taiwan have exceeded our expectations.” This speech competition not only demonstrated the achievements of overseas Chinese education in preserving Chinese language and culture but also reflected the children’s love for Taiwan and their learning outcomes. It truly shows that overseas Chinese education has taken root.
The director of the Overseas Chinese Education Center, Zhuang Yashu, stated that the children’s speeches were full of highlights and excitement, deeply touching everyone. This competition bridged the distance between Taiwan and the children, allowing them to demonstrate their love for Taiwan through the Chinese language. She encouraged every child, standing on that stage is already a victory, bravely showcasing oneself is the greatest success. She also expressed special thanks to the Northern California Chinese School Association for their dedication to preserving traditional culture, promoting Mandarin Chinese, and organizing such an exciting creative speech competition.
After the competition, three judges delivered insightful comments and selected first, second, and third prizes as well as excellence awards for each group.
Various guests presented prizes and certificates to the children.
The award presenters on that day included: Director Zhuang Yashu, Councilman Shao Yang of Fremont, President Lin Meilian of the Chinese Enterprise Association, Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioner Wei Dezhen, Overseas Chinese Affairs Advisory Commissioner Lu Yuzhen, National Day Committee Chair and Overseas Chinese Affairs Advisory Commissioner Ye Yunhe, President Cai Hongkai of the Northern California Chinese College Alumni Association, President Ma Qianjun of the San Jose Taiwan Fellowship Association, Mr. Zhu Jiguang, and School Board Member Kou Huifeng of the Fremont Unified High School District.