Gravette student earns award in Chinese language competition

— A Gravette High School student, Tatiana Polydore, recently was awarded third place in the Southern Region Chinese Language Competition held in Texas.

Polydore, who will be a senior this year at GHS, competed with students from several southern states.

The award was presented in Houston by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was held in late April.

Along with the recognition, she received numerous items from China relating to that nation and its culture.

Tatiana is the daughter of Greg and Joy Polydore of Bella Vista. She was a member of the Chinese II class last year at GHS. The classes, Chinese I and II, are offered to GHS students and throughout Arkansas by a daily television connection.

Before moving to northwest Arkansas, the petite young lady had begun studying Chinese while attending school in Texas.

State Award

Early in the second semester last year, Tatiana was named second place winner in Chinese proficiency competition among Arkansas students.

That competition was held on the University of Central Arkansas campus in Conway. UCA oversees the Confucius Institute of Arkansas program which last year provided the daily classroom instruction to participating schools.

Classes will again be offered this year to GHS students. Teri Finnell, local classroom facilitator, said she anticipated about 10 students in the classes again this year.

Learning the Chinese language “is a challenge,” Tatiana said. It is a challenge she faces with determination and enthusiasm.

A very competitive young lady, she hopes to learn and make use of the language proficiency in the business world, or possibly through a governmental or diplomatic profession.

She also added that she is hopeful to be able to spend several weeks in China to absorb, first-hand, more of the language and culture of the Chinese people.

News, Pages 9 on 06/20/2012