Group photo of contestants, judges, and instructors

Director Gu is making opening speech

Champion of secondary school group and the winner of Best Speech, Marisa Salatino

On April 2, 2011, the Confucius Institute at UT Dallas in USA held successfully the ‘Chinese Bridge’ Chinese Proficiency Competition for DFW college and secondary school students in the performance hall. The contestants from the universities and secondary schools in DFW area contested fiercely and friendly here. Marisa M. Salatino from the Hockaday School won the first prize with absolute superiority in the group of secondary school. Benjamin Simmons from the University of North Texas (UNT) won the first prize in the college group. They will be recommended by the Confucius Institute at UT Dallas to take part in the ‘Chinese Bridge’ Chinese Proficiency Competition for American Southern part to be held by Chinese Consulate General in Houston on April 24.

The competition began at 9:30. The contestants are vigorous and parents accompany them, just the same as to take part in the grand festival ceremony. Dr. Gu Mingding, the director of the Confucius Institute, made an opening speech and Professor Dennis Kratz, the dean of the School of Art and Humanities at UTD, were present to congratulate to the competition. Specially invited five-member judge group are Mr. Shao Xiaoming, the director of Dallas Modern Chinese Language School, Mr. Johann Tse, the consulate of the Confucius Institute at UT Dallas and singer, Ms. Chen Xinsehng, from Modern Chinese Lauguage School with 50 years of Chinese teaching experience, Professor Tian Xiangbin, the co-director of the Confucius Institute and Professor Tian Yazhou, the vice dean of the College of Performance and Fine Arts at China Three Gorges University. The competition was divided into three parts such as Chinese speech, talent show, and Q/A Chinese cultural knowledge. The first, second, third, and honorable mention awards are set up for all the contestants and 4 single awards of the Best Style, the Best Speech, the Most Creative, and the Best Performance for the secondary school students.

Champion of college group, Benjamin Simmons

Eric Obodo, the winner of the Second Prize in college group

Elisabeth Cathcart, the winner of the Most Creative