January 1, 2001

  NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ASSOCIATIONS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS (NCACLS)

                         HAI-HWA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

                ESSAY CONTEST ON CHINESE HISTORY AND CULTURE

               Sponsored by HAI-HWA Cultural Foundation, Republic of China


NCACLS announces its essay contest on Chinese history and culture for senior high school students (grades 9 - 11) and junior high school students (grades 6 - 8).  The contest is being offered to encourage every high school student who is attending a Chinese language school to learn more about Chinese history and culture, to become aware of ethnic diversity around the world, and to appreciate his/her own cultural heritage.

The essay must be original work which may be written either in Chinese for no more than two thousand characters or typed, double-spaced, in English for no more than five pages on 8.5" x 11" white paper with your name on the back of each page.  Chinese essays must be handwritten on the provided form, starting from right to left and top to bottom; feel free to make additional copies of this form if needed.  Do NOT fold or staple your essayThe essay must be submitted with a signed official application form.  The essay will be judged by NCACLS-appointed judges; the decision of the judges is final and cannot be appealed. All essays will become the property of NCACLS and will not be returned.

Topics for Senior Groups: choose one of the following three topics:

(1)  "The Importance of Learning Chinese Language"

     The Chinese language is now spoken by more then 1.2 billion people.  China is a rising power in the world.  Discuss why it is important to learn Chinese in the 21st century.

(2)  "The Population of China "

     China now has more than 1.2 billion citizens and is the most populated nation in world. Explore the impact of China¡¦s population on China and world.

(3)  "The Democracy in China"

      For nearly 100 years, since the revolution in 1911, the Chinese people have been ruled by warlords, the Kuomintang and the Communist party.  Recently, the Chinese experienced the first peaceful transfer of power in Taiwan.  The Democratic Progressive Party won the election and took over the government.  Explore the reason for the slow and winding progress of democracy in China.

Topics for Junior Groups: choose one of the following three topics:

(1)  "The Importance of Learning Chinese Language"

     The Chinese language is now spoken by more than 1.2 billion people.  China is a rising power in the world.  Discuss why it is important to learn Chinese in the 21st century.
 

(2)    "The experience of growing up as a Chinese-American"

Describe the experience of growing up as a Chinese-American.

(3)    "China-My Homeland"

China, with its beautiful land and diverse people, is one of the richest civilizations in the world in terms of history, resources, and culture.  Describe the things that you, as an overseas Chinese youth, love about your homeland.

Scholarship Awards (Awards for both Chinese and English submissions):
Senior Groups (grades 9 - 11)

First Place         (1) ----- $ 600.00 Cash Scholarship
Second Place        (1) ----- $ 300.00 Cash Scholarship
Third Place         (1) ----- $ 150.00 Cash Scholarship
Fourth Place         (5) ----- $ 80.00 Cash Scholarship
Honorable Mention Award    (20) ----- $ 20.00 Cash Scholarship

Junior Groups (grades 6 - 8)

First Place         (1) ----- $ 300.00 Cash Scholarship
Second Place         (1) ----- $ 150.00 Cash Scholarship
Third Place         (1) ----- $ 80.00 Cash Scholarship
Fourth Place         (5) ----- $ 40.00 Cash Scholarship
Honorable Mention Award    (20) ----- $ 15.00 Cash Scholarship

Each winner will receive an Award Certificate.

The postmark deadline for the submission of entries is April 2, 2001.
Winners of scholarship awards will be announced by July 15, 2001.

Please mail your essay together with the application form to:

Dr. N. C. Yang
4640 Timberlane Dr.
Macon, GA  31210-3120

P.S. If you need to be notified that we have received your essay, please include a self-addressed stamped    envelope. We will send you notification immediately after we have received it.