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West Michigan Asian American Association Asian Gala

/ High School, Social Event / By

Senior Scholarship Award Recipient: FHN Senior, Ava H.

Spirit of Chinese Scholarship Recipient , parents and CHI-PAC were invited to attend the 2022 West Michigan Asian American Association Asian Gala on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, where WMAA presented scholarship winner with the award.

West Michigan Asian American Association

Asian Gala

October 5, 2022

Good Evening!

Tonight we will acknowledge highlight the Spirit of Chinese Scholarship Program.  This scholarship is awarded to a senior student who demonstrates the true “Spirit of Chinese” by being a well-rounded student who embraces their Chinese immersion journey and anticipates opportunities that may be afforded to them.   

Way back in 2008 (15 years ago), Forest Hills Public Schools launched the Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program with a class of kindergarten students.  The program has been grown since then that in 2021 grown to extend through high school, successfully graduating its first class of senior students in 2021.,  the first batch of students graduated.  In this program,  when students reach the high school level,  Chinese is taught as dual enrollment classes by professors  and teachers from Western Michigan University through a dual enrollment program between Forest Hills Northern and WMU.

To recognize the positive impact of the program, the Chinese Immersion Parent Advisory Council (CHI-PAC) in  started the scholarship program in 2020.  This year and next, WMAAA is sponsoring underwriting the scholarship program.  All qualifying students are asked to fulfill rigorous requirements such as

  1. Preparing two essays, one written in Chinese characters responding to a Chinese idiom prompt.  The other essay is written in English that specifically talks about their Chinese Immersion journey.
  2. They are also asked to submit previous Chinese work from their earlier years
  3. The final step is an oral presentation in front of a judging panel where the finalists will present in their Chinese essay.

It is important to take note that, historically, finalists were non-native speakers and reside in homes where Chinese is not spoken.  Their language skills are the direct result of the Forest Hills and Western Michigan University teaching staff and through their personal language study.

So without further ado, let us all recognize this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Chinese Scholarship Program award,  Ava Hamilton. Your parents are welcome to join you on stage (applause)

Lily Langen, CHI-PAC President and Jackie Frens,  WMAAA Scholarship Committee representative,  presented the award.

[NOTE: The West Michigan Asian American Association, Inc. is a Michigan nonprofit corporation that seeks to build a collaborative, active, and committed Asian American community in West Michigan with a focus on healthcare, education, and civic engagement. In pursuit of its mission and vision, the WMAAA’s current programs and activities include a scholarship program, networking events, presentations and performances that promote appreciation for Asian culture, speaking engagements that promote greater awareness of healthcare issues affecting the Asian-American community, a patient navigation system, and other programs and activities that further its strategic objectives. Here is a link to an additional scholarship offered by the WMAAA: https://www.wm-aaa.org/cmspage/scholarship/7]