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Ever since the National Chinese Culture Competition was
first held in 1995, it has fulfilled its function of helping Chinese
children in the United States increase their knowledge of the Chinese
language and their understanding of Chinese history and culture. After the
Boys and Girls Schools’ teams won first and second place in the regional
contest in May, thereby gaining the right to represent northern California
in the National Competition, the team members learned more during several
months’ of intensive training than in two years of studying Chinese. Thus
the Competition has its benefits.
This year the National Chinese Culture Competition was held
in New Jersey. Our two teams traveled six hours by plane to get there. The
next day, as soon as we arrived, some parents came over to ask, “Why is it
that your students seem so different from the rest?” They were very
curious and impressed by our students’ demeanor and conduct. Even though
the host teams (from New Jersey) won the first and second places, our
students wrote thank-you cards to the judging teachers and the chairman,
expressing gratitude for their hard work. After the contest, Dharma Master
Sure presented a slideshow introducing the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
and the mission of our school, which attracted those who were really
interested to learn more about us. Thus, the Dharma Master said, “ It’s
worth it!” A mother who had been searching a suitable school for her
daughter said, “This is the school I’ve been looking for!”
The Boys and Girls Schools have always encouraged students
to participate in academic and cultural activities. On the one hand,
students gain new experiences; on the other hand, teachers can evaluate
their students’ performances and thus reflect on their own success or
failure in teaching and developing them to become ”whole persons.”
On this trip to the East Coast, the students not only won
the third and fourth places, but also were praised for “developing their
virtue.” However, we still have a longer way to go. To conclude, we would
like to thank everyone who has supported education. |
