The 29th Chinese Speech Competition, organized by the Southwestern Chinese American Association, was held on Saturday, April 27th, from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Overseas Chinese Education Center exhibition hall. A total of five groups consisting of both Chinese and non-Chinese participants participated in the event. The competition was judged by former president Tang Xinqin, First Bank General Manager Wu Binghui as chief judges, and former presidents Luo Xiujuan, Cheng Meihua, and Vice President of Golden City Bank Hou Xiuyi as judges.
The competition officially began at 10:00 am with former presidents Sun Yumin and Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioner Liu Xiumei serving as hosts for the Chinese and non-Chinese segments. The competition lasted for two hours, with participants in each group earning first, second, and third place. Winners received trophies, certificates, and prize money of $125, $100, $75 respectively.
Results of the competition are as follows:
Chinese “Junior Group” (6-9 years old):
– 1st place: Qian Rouzhen (Chinese Immersion School MIMS)
– 2nd place: Liu Yuqiang (Lingxiang Chinese School)
– 3rd place: Zhong Hanren (Chinese Culture Academy)
Chinese “Intermediate Group” (10-13 years old):
– 1st place: Cao Guojun (Huaxia Chinese School)
– 2nd place: Jin Dingteng (Chinese Culture Service Center)
– 3rd place: Chen Yu’an (Houston Humanity School of Tzu Chi USA Texas Branch)
Non-Chinese “Junior Group” (6-9 years old):
– 1st place: Aurelius Taylor-Jackson (Petrosky Elementary School)
– 2nd place: Abel Smith (Petrosky Elementary School)
– 3rd place: Fatima Zara Karage (Petrosky Elementary School)
Non-Chinese “Senior Group” (14-18 years old):
– 1st place: London Nasir (NWCBC Chinese Learning Class)
– 2nd place: Clark Lacey, Jr. (Fuben Church Chinese School)
– 3rd place: John Nasir (NWCBC Chinese Learning Class)
During the awards ceremony, President Zhang Qingwen expressed gratitude to the principals, teachers, and participating students for successfully completing the 29th Chinese Speech Competition. She also thanked the judges and the board of directors. She urged students to promote the learning of the Chinese language, not just to enhance language skills but also to understand Chinese culture better. She invited three Chinese participants over 14 years old, Zhou Zhuoyi, Xu Liyuan, and Luo Jiaming, to the stage for an observation competition on the theme “My Wish” and awarded scholarships.
Director Wang Yingrong of the Overseas Chinese Education Center paid tribute to the dedication and promotion of Chinese language learning by the Southwestern Chinese American Association over the past 29 years. She believed that every child who participated in this series of training had built language expression abilities and confidence. Chief Judge Tang Xinqin also expressed that participating in the competition meant you had already won.
Awards of appreciation were presented to sponsors, including the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, SWCAA Honorary President Li Shuying, Golden City Bank, former SWCAA president Tang Xinqin, Hu Xiaolian, Song Bingying, Zheng Zhao, Wu Zhanying, Luo Xiujuan, Hong Liangbing, Sun Yumin, Hotel Association President Yan Jie, and others.