When I introduced China to my best friend (Sam) he was very interested. He had never been there before and he wanted to know all about my experience. So we talked about China and what I did during my years there. He asked these two questions “What about China did you enjoy?” and “What did you do in China?” 

I told Sam that I enjoyed China as it was a very interesting place to be because of all the lively music and fun things to do and eat. He then asked what I did in the morning? Which I answered: I woke up every morning to the great food my grandma cooked and to my Grandpa watching tv. Then he said “would you suggest I go there?” I said yes of course you should go there because of all the fun things to do and great foods to eat. These make China a truly wonderful place. Then I told him you could go for a walk on the many pathways that are there, watch some fish swim around in a lake, pond, or stream, watch performers dance on stage and you could go out to eat in the many restaurants there.

After that, I told Sam that when I was in China I learned Chinese with my Grandma and Grandpa everyday. Then, I would go for a walk with them to see what we could see and most of the time we would stop by a pond or stream to watch the fish move around. A lot of times we took a picture of the fish and me next to them. After the walk we would usually go back home and eat food but sometimes we would go out to eat in a restaurant which was always very good. Then, to end the day off we would go out and just play or run around. When we were done or got tired we would go back home watch some tv then go to sleep.

After all these things I told him Sam really wanted to go to China in the summer. After the conversation he was really amazed that I did all of those things when I was in China.  He then said if he goes to China he really wants to try all the different kinds of stuff I mentioned!

(Second Prize)

By

Alric Walker 张泽瀚 英文初中组 2025-12-17

Dear Friend, 

I remember reading a MLP Chinese book in 7th grade. In the book, there are many different historical places. The pictures were beautiful, there were green grass landscapes, clear blue water, and big bold buildings with a big history behind them. I was very excited to go see them in real life if I go to China again, it’s been 8 years since I went back. But that’s when I went to China this summer. 

China is such a great place to visit during the summer. I went to China this summer for two weeks and it was so much fun spending time seeing my grandparents and my mom’s siblings. It is a place to enjoy being with your family and learn the history of China. I went to Beijing to travel to historical places and then went to Fuzhou to visit my grandparents. I met so many of my family members that I don’t remember meeting. 

Beijing is such a great place to visit, especially with your family. It will give you many surprises as you arrive. As I visited Beijing in my first week, I traveled in a group full of children, adults, and even elders! We would wake up at 5am and travel on a bus to go to many different places. It was very tiring. There would be this person who would talk about the places we visited and its history, it was full of laughter, chatting, and even had a great time sleeping on the bus. We all bonded together, it also helped my Chinese a bit. Other than that, it was an adventure! Every time we all step out of the bus. We were all excited to see the next place we were going to visit. We traveled to The Great Wall of China, Tiananmen, a shopping center, jewelry(jade bracelets), summer palace, and more!

The place I was looking forward to was: “The Great Wall of China’. At school, I would hear and read the history of the Great wall of China and saw pictures of it. Once I saw the view in real life I was surprised. Visiting the Great Wall of China is very busy but with a beautiful landscape. I recommend you to visit this place in the fall or winter when the weather is cooler. 

The main purpose of going to China was to visit my grandparents. Almost everyday on the phone, I would talk with them hoping I would meet them one day. As I knocked on their door at night. They came running out and hugged me. I was full of joy. Waking early chatting with them, going shopping for clothes and food, and eating in big restaurants. 

I noticed many ideas and ways were different in China. First of all, the buildings are different from America. The place where I stayed (Fuzhou); there are more higher buildings(hotels), long chains of different variety shops stretching far, the weather, travel, measurements, and different styles of clothing. Be aware of the weather, the weather measurement is written in celsius which we both might not understand. But most importantly, it was hot, it even reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit! There was only one AC and the place was small. The beds are covered with brown long sticks knitted together, it was rough to sleep on. 

As I stayed there. My grandparents involved me with various activities including shoveling rice, chatting with their friends to learn and listen to their Fuzhou language. I reconnected with some people and made new friends with the older and younger people. They were all excited to see my mom and I. 

I wake up from a good sleep and walk downstairs to travel. I remember the first time I went on those motorcycles. Almost everyone traveled in motorcycles and paying to travel was by car. I was scared at first but once the motorcycles started traveling, I loved the feeling! The wind brushing against my face was so cooling, I felt free and happy. 

I loved the food there! Most of the time, I would be eating outside in restaurants. There were places with a big table with lots of food, everyone getting up, holding their cups, clicking together, and bowing. For breakfast at Fuzhou  In Beijing, I ate the famous “Beijing Duck”, it was juicy, crispy, and flavorful. You should definitely try it some day. 

China is such a wonderful place to visit. You make fun experiences with new sweet memories and adventures every day. Although I only went to China for 2 weeks, I learned a lot of ideas, learning from Chinese culture, expanding my Chinese, and connecting with everyone. It is one of the happiest moments of my life.

(Second Prize)

By

Serena Pan 潘思瑶 英文初中组 2025-12-17

My name is Isabella Olvesen, and I am 12 years old. I recently moved from Bayonne, NJ to Great Falls, VA. My mother is Chinese, and my father is Jewish-Italian. The “problem” with being biracial is that I am always questioned and judged, especially when people ask me frustrating questions like, “Have you ever even been to China?”, “Can you speak the language?”, and “What’s your favorite Chinese dish?”

Maybe they expect me to say, “No, I’ve never been to China and I can’t speak the language. My favorite dish is dumplings!” However, my true response would be that I’ve been traveling to China since I was a year old, and I genuinely love the country—from its people and food, down to the very air that I breathe when I am there. I can speak the language, even though I may pronounce certain things wrong. My favorite dishes include 酸辣粉 and anything that is spicy or includes noodles. So, even though I am not completely Chinese, it does not mean that I do not have perfectly great opinions and thoughts on China.

The way that I would describe China is that it is a Big Pomegranate. I know it sounds strange, but it makes sense to me. Like New York City being nicknamed the Big Apple—which I imagine is because of its bustling environment—to me, China’s nickname would be the Big Pomegranate. When I think of a pomegranate, I think of tons of little parts making up an enormous whole. The little parts each taste different but look the same.

China is similar, where each province is like a vendor at a street market. Shandong may be selling silk that day, but its neighbor could be looking for people who want to buy some of its cherries. Each and every province has its own “thing” to bring to the table, whether it’s delectable food, humorous people, or just a welcoming environment. Some pomegranates are sour, while others are sweet.

My first trip to China that I can remember is one that I will treasure. The plane ride there was full of lots of sleeping, drawing, and throwing up. As soon as I got off the plane, I fully understood how sailors feel when they finally see land after a few weeks. Once relief washed over my body, my body and senses adjusted to the new environment.

The airport was like a man-made, shiny, white and silver jungle. Snakes slithered around, hissing and stirring up commotion while hurriedly trying to get to their gates. Birds flew freely from TSA to security check. Then there was me: like a penguin, my mother holding my hand through the chaos of it all.

The airport was only the start of the events that followed. I couldn’t believe that China was not the city that is recognized as “the city that doesn’t sleep.” It was completely dark, around 1:00 a.m., but the streets were still filled with people. The smells that filled the air were enough to shake me wide awake, and the lights and sights made me stop and take in the beauty of it all.

The scents, people, busyness, and attractions all make up the magnificent country of China. As a Chinese-European, I can tell you that even though I may not understand each and every detail that people may say in Chinese, I know one thing for sure: China is the definition of paradise.

One quote that my mother has told me is “千里之行，始于足下.” When I think about China, I truly take this into account. My message for you—whether you are Chinese, American, or another nationality—is this: China is open to anyone willing to learn or visit. You don’t need to be “accepted” by a few when you are wanted by many. Always remember, life is short, so don’t waste it planning your journey and learning Chinese by yourself when you can be learning Chinese with billions of people willing to share their experiences. You are the only person who can decide who you are, who you will be, where you will go, and what you will do. China is the place where your journey can start.

(First Prize)

By

Isabella Rose Olvesen 徐天恩 英文初中组 2025-12-17

When my friends asked me where I came from, I said China. I told them about holidays like Chinese New Year and Yuan Xiao Jie, where people eat yuan xiao. Then I talked about the foods I eat on those days, like fish, chicken, or other sorts of meat. Then I talked about how those holidays impact my life. Then I talked about my beliefs and how that impacts my day-to-day life.

I talked about the history of China, such as the Warring States period, the emperors who ruled, and the challenges they overcame. I talked about China being a very early country, and I also talked about the things it invented, like the compass, gunpowder, and even paper.

I talked about the Silk Road and the people China traded with, and the wars it fought against other countries, such as Mongolia, against Japan, and during the Western occupation in the Qing dynasty. I talked about the role China played in World War II and the things that happened during that time.

Then I talked about my trip to China and the places I visited, such as Chengdu to see the pandas. I also talked about going to the capital and going inside the Forbidden Palace. I told them about the national parks and how the water there was so colorful. I told them about the mountains that were huge and beautiful, the rivers that were long and had strong currents, and the fast trains that made my ears pop.

I told them about flying home and the differences between China and America, such as the temperature and the sights. I finished by asking them about their culture.

I believe that if we share our cultures, we can learn from each other and become better people. By informing and educating one another about our past and present, we can learn.

(Third Prize)

By

Alex Huang 黄四之 英文初中组 2025-12-17

…I’ll talk about the basic things about China, like the location and culture.

I’ll start off with the geographical location. China is a relatively large country located in Asia. I actually don’t know that much else, but I’ll say that I think it’s in southern Asia, next to India, above the Indian Ocean, and to the left of the Pacific Ocean. That way my friends can have a rough idea of where China is, and I won’t have to get in trouble for dishonesty.

Oh yeah, and the capital of China is Beijing (北京). A famous landmark that may or may not be in Beijing is the Great Wall of China, which stretches for hundreds of feet. It first started construction around 3400 BCE. (I think. Or maybe I’m just thinking of cuneiform. But that’s a whole other region.)

Next, I’ll go over the culture of China. Specifically the most commonly known festival: Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year is the new year of the lunar calendar, which Chinese people use. It’s usually in January, February, or March. One can celebrate Lunar New Year with red lanterns and red dragon decorations. There also might be a local festival happening that one can attend. Personally, I like to wear my gold horse necklace with a red string, go with my sister to my next-door-neighbor’s house, play video games for hours, and eat a feast with my family and my next-door-neighbor’s family. …Okay, maybe that was a one-time thing, but it was still fun.

Then, I’ll discuss Chinese zodiacs. The horse necklace that I wore to my neighbor’s house is actually symbolizing that my Chinese zodiac is the horse. If my friends don’t know what a Chinese zodiac is, I’ll say: “Cerealously?” (“Seriously” and “cereal” mashed together.) After they nod, I’ll proceed to explain that the Chinese zodiac is also based on the lunar calendar (remember that from earlier?), and that it’s basically the same as the American zodiacs, except that the zodiacs change every year instead of every month. There’s 12 zodiacs, and the zodiacs rotate every year, so somebody with the same zodiac as you is a multiple of 12 years older/younger than you. Or they can be born in the same year as you, and in that case, they would still have the same zodiac. I don’t remember all 12 of the zodiacs, but the ones that I do are listed here (in no particular order): Mouse, Rabbit, Dog, Ox, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Tiger, Rooster, Pig.

FOOD is a big part of culture! I’ll talk about traditional foods and how food from different regions will taste. A food that is used in a festival is the moon cake. It’s included in the moon festival, which takes place in the middle of autumn. The Chinese name for the moon festival, 中秋节, literally means “mid-autumn holiday”. 中 means middle, 秋 means autumn, and 节 means holiday. Moving on to regional food. The most popular kind of Chinese food is from Sichuan (四川), which is numbingly spicy. It’s spiciness is because the Sichuan region is hot, so the Sichuan people use spice to cool down. (Or something like that. I’m not really sure how it works.)

Finally, I’ll finish with a little bit of history. Ancient China had eras called “dynasties”. Each dynasty had a king (国王). I’m pretty sure a new dynasty began when a new king started ruling. Since I don’t know that much about history, I’ll list the one dynasty I know: the Tang Dynasty.

After I’m done with Chinese history, I’ll say, “And…that’s it!”

(Third Prize)

By

Barbara He 何芳菲 英文初中组 2025-12-17