Foreign Languages and Cultures – Outstanding Senior 2021

Clubs, Organizations, Leadership, and Service

• Columnist for The Daily Evergreen
• Jazz Band 1
• Jazz Society

Internships and Employment

• WSU School of Music Technical Production Crew
• WSU Global Learning Peer Advisor
• Spanish Conversation Instructor
• Intern at United States – Heartland China Association
• Summer Camp Counselor, Sanborn Western Camps, Colorado

Undergraduate Research

• Honors Thesis: “The Salt of the Earth: Examining the Representation and Cultural Significance of the Hero in Post-socialist Chinese Cinema”
• Studied the hero archetype in Chinese films, specifically contemporary film, how they compare and contrast, and their significance to Chinese culture.

Awards and Recognition

• 3^rd Place, Washington State Preliminary Chinese Bridge Competition
• Outstanding 3^rd-year Chinese student at WSU
• Completion of CET Harbin Intensive Language Program
• Outstanding Soloist Award at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival

Education Abroad:

Went to China in fall 2019 for Chinese intensive language and culture, requiring a language pledge.

Honored Faculty and Mentors

• Xinmin Liu, Languages, Cultures, & Race
• Horace Alexander Young, Music
• Vilma Navarro-Daniels, Languages, Cultures, & Race

Faculty Comments

I remember his receiving an honorary mention in the Speech Contest, one of the three contest areas at the Chinese Bridge Contest, and I was particularly impressed with his remark that he was especially motivated to learn Chinese well because his parents had adopted an orphan girl from southwest China and he wanted to learn about the country and culture she came from—it was such a selfless and heart-warming goal and he has more than lived up to it since.

In fall 2019, he attended the Intensive Language Program at Harbin in northeast China, one of the elite programs, with such challenging pledges as Chinese-only for overseas learners. Upon returning from CET Harbin, his level of Chinese gained new heights noticeably and won genuine praises from instructors and admiration from fellow students in Chinese classes. Xinmin Liu

Personal Statement

I have learned so much from my time at WSU. From cheering on the Cougs at football games to living in China for a semester to playing with the WSU jazz bands, I have had so many great experiences during my time here. Not only have I had numerous opportunities to further my studies in Spanish and Chinese language and culture, but I have also met so many people who have helped me grow and become a better person. I’d personally like to thank Xinmin Liu and the Chinese program for their support in my Chinese studies, Vilma Navarro-Daniels for opening my mind to other cultures and ideas through the study of film, and Horace Alexander Young, who has helped continue my passion for music. Finally, my time at WSU truly would not have been the same without my wonderful friends I have made, who have been with me since those awkward first days as a freshman. We’ve come a long way and it’s been amazing seeing them grow along with me. Go Cougs!

Future Plans

After working as a camp counselor this summer, he will teach in Spain for a year. He wants a career that includes travel, learning about new cultures, perhaps working for a non-profit, and to combine that with writing.