On April 22, Liam Schenk ’19 won the third place prize in the intermediate division of the highly-competitive 12th Chinese Bridge Speech Contest for U.S. High School Students held at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He was selected as one of 24 finalists from around the country. For the competition, Liam presented a memorized speech about the creation of an optimal trip traveling to Chinatown, as the theme for the speeches was “China/Chinese and Me.” He also performed a trick-filled jianzi routine for the Chinese cultural show component of the competition. Jianzi is a traditional Chinese sport, similar to the American game of hacky sack.
One of Liam’s Chinese teachers at MFS, Upper School Chinese Teacher Ahnam Chu, accompanied Liam to Boston.
“We are happy with Liam’s results at the Chinese Bridge Speech Contest,” said Mrs. Chu. “But what was important is that we learned how to improve for the next time! Liam also made several friends at the competition, and his parents shared that they are grateful for the school’s support. This good news further encourages us [Chinese teachers] to help prepare our students to compete at this national Chinese competition level.”
Additionally, Nick Tursi ’17, who previously competed twice at the Chinese Bridge Speech Contest (earning second place awards in the intermediate and advanced divisions) and finished as a semifinalist in the international competition this past October, returned to Boston to act as emcee for the event.
Pictured: Nick Tursi ’17 and Liam Schenk ’19