Skip To Main Content

Mandarin Immersion Students Show Language Proficiency Earning Top Spots in Speech Competition

Mandarin Immersion Students Show Language Proficiency Earning Top Spots in Speech Competition


Demonstrating knowledge and enthusiasm for the Chinese language, 50 Redwood City School District (RCSD) students took part in the 47th annual Chinese Mandarin Speech Contest. The event, hosted by Chinese Language Teacher Association of California (CLTAC), brings together students from across the state of California who are ready to display their speech skills.

Students from Orion Alternative School and Kennedy Middle School prepared and practiced speeches to be presented in Mandarin, competing with more than 350 peers from a total of 33 California schools.

RCSD Mandarin Immersion program and contest participants come from diverse learning backgrounds, with many students studying Mandarin as a second or third language. 

District participation in the CLTAC competition increased nearly threefold from last year as the RCSD Mandarin Immersion program has continued to grow.

Orion Alternative School Administrator Winnie Wong congratulated all students and thanked teachers, administrators, and parents for their unwavering commitment. 

“Your consistent high quality and engaging instruction set up a solid foundation for our students,” she said. “Your continuous challenge and support bring their learning to the next level. This is a huge milestone in our students’ Mandarin learning journey. It is truly a team effort.”

Results announced by CLTAC are as follows:

Orion Alternative Elementary School:

1st Place 

Hantsbarger, Eliana - 2nd grade 

Dupree, Maple - 3rd grade 

Seeberger, Ryan - 5th grade 
 

2nd Place 

Kowalczyk, Graham (Teddy) - 1st grade 

Matthews, Clara - 2nd grade 

Seeberger, Nia - 3rd grade 

Lin, Tessa - 3rd grade

Hanrigou, Raphael - 5th grade
 

3rd Place 

Shade-Cowan, Geny - 1st grade 

Lam, Ava - 2nd grade 

Hanrigou, Vincent - 3rd grade 

Fung, Sierra - 3rd grade 

Ruhl, Olivia - 3rd grade 

Calderon, Irayda - 5th grade 
 

Honorable Mention

Salon, Fiona - 1st grade 

Huang, Riker - 3rd grade 

Velasquez, Alexis - 3rd grade 

Campos, Pablo - 4th grade 


Kennedy Middle School: 

1st Place 

Lim, Jia Ying - 6th grade 
 

2nd Place 

Hayes, June - 6th grade


RCSD’s K-8 Mandarin Immersion program brings together both Mandarin- and English-speaking students and families for the opportunity of a promising future of being bilingual, biliterate, and academically enriched. The K-5 program is housed at Orion Alternative School and feeds into Kennedy Middle School for the 6-8 strand. Speech contest host, the CLTAC, was formed in 1964 with a goal of promoting the study and teaching of Chinese language and culture in California.
 

More of Our Stories

Play and Pause Buttons for Slideshow
TLC Teacher Charlene Dela Pena interacts with one of her students

The school recently received an award of appreciation for their support of students with disabilities from the San Mateo County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and the Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

Read More about Taft Community School’s Therapeutic Learning Center Earns Acclaim for Student Support and Excellence in Special Education
HVAC System

The Board of Trustees approved multiple initiatives aimed at improving climate control in local schools. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to optimize learning conditions for students across the district, a priority identified early last fall.

Read More about As Summer 2025 Approaches, District Advances Climate Control Projects Across Schools by Quickly Approving Final Steps for Implementation
Where Every Voice Belongs: Orion Co-Op’s Multicultural Studies Earns Countywide Recognition

The five-month program seeks to foster cultural awareness, promote diversity and highlight inclusivity through the collaboration of parents, students, and teachers, culminating in a weeklong multicultural experience. 

Read More about Where Every Voice Belongs: Orion Co-Op’s Multicultural Studies Earns Countywide Recognition
Blossoming Beds and Blooming Brains: A Community Partner Helps Adelante Selby’s Garden Plant a Glow Up

The robust garden space and outdoor classroom is a tranquil area where students can connect curriculum standards to the world around them. That space is getting an update thanks to a donation of lumber and supplies from Big Creek Lumber, and to the dedicated parent volunteers and teacher, Ms. Forker, who applied for the gardening grant.

Read More about Blossoming Beds and Blooming Brains: A Community Partner Helps Adelante Selby’s Garden Plant a Glow Up
Students playing with clay

In the 2025-26 school year, RCSD is expanding its TK program, increasing from 14 to 17 classes. This expansion, supported by a significant investment of approximately $700,000, reflects the district’s commitment to early childhood education and meeting the growing demand from families. As of April 2025, the district has already received an overwhelming response, with approximately 400 applications demonstrating the community’s strong interest and support for this California educational initiative.

Read More about RCSD’s Growing TK Program Helps 4-Year-Olds Thrive — Here’s How Parents Can Support the Adventure
2025 California Distinguished School Seal

Just 336 schools were selected this year by analyzing data reported through the 2024 California School Dashboard. The prestigious school recognition program honors two categories of exceptional schools: those Closing the Achievement Gap and those demonstrating Exceptional Student Performance. 

Read More about Gryphons Soar as a 2025 California Distinguished School
Roy Cloud 8th grade Teacher Xa Mai Checks with a Student

Following the success of the elementary school Illustrative Mathematics program, Imagine IM K-5, committee members had selected Imagine IM 6-8 for a 2024-25 pilot period. The Board of Trustees recently approved official adoption of the curriculum for the upcoming school year.

Read More about Building for Success: Middle School Math Adoption Fosters Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking
HVAC System

The first phase of installations will begin this summer at Adelante Selby, Hoover, Roosevelt, and Taft, as these schools require fewer structural and electrical modifications. The remaining campuses will receive upgrades in subsequent phases until every school is equipped with a modern HVAC system.

Read More about RCSD Board Approves Purchase of HVAC Equipment for First Phase Implementation