May 7, 2025 -- Ten Heights High students recently showcased their Mandarin language skills, creativity, and cultural knowledge at the 11th Annual Ohio K-12 Essay Contest, hosted by the Ohio Association of Teachers of Chinese (OATC). Held in March, this statewide competition features 307 student participants from 28 schools, making it one of the largest Chinese Language contests in Ohio.
The contest challenged students studying Chinese to handwrite original essays – ranging from 100 to 500 characters – on themes such as family, Chinese culture, and personal reflections on their language-learning journeys. Designed to foster cultural appreciation, language fluency, and creative expression, the contest is a meaningful celebration of Mandarin education across the state of Ohio.
Heights High School proudly congratulates the following students for their award-winning entries:
Gold Award
Nevannah Miller
Silver Award
Nikolas Russo
Honorable Mention
Amir Brewer, Shyliyah Cheeks, Ike Dooner, Sade Mason, Sha’Mya McDade, Delaney McMillan, My’Keeya Sharp, and Zari’ah Smith
“Writing the essay helped me build my Chinese writing skills,” said Nevannah. “I learned to write characters more naturally, build sentences, and gained insights into China’s culture and tourist attractions.”
Nikolas appreciates the guidance and support he has received from his teachers, Dr. Lin and Mr. Tsai, and how the process has helped him improve. “I enjoyed writing the essay and was surprised how well it turned out,” he shared. “The process helped me improve my Chinese and gave me confidence in my writing."
“The OATC Essay Contest is a wonderful opportunity for my students to realize their potential in both language and cultural knowledge,” shared Dr. Lin, the Mandarin Chinese language teacher at Heights High. “It brings joy and confidence – students are proud when they receive their certificates, and their families are often surprised and delighted by their academic achievements.”