K-State students receive awards at Chinese, Japanese language speech contests

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Sources: Kyoko Mizuno, 785-532-1921, suesue@k-state.edu
Note to editor: Derek Burke is a graduate of Spearville High School.
News release prepared by: Sara Shellenberger, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

K-STATE STUDENTS RECEIVE AWARDS AT CHINESE, JAPANESE LANGUAGE SPEECH CONTESTS

MANHATTAN -- Several students from Kansas State University recently received awards for their performance in regional Chinese- and Japanese-language speech contests.

Five K-State students participated and won awards at the third Midwest Chinese Speech Contest at Northwestern University in Chicago. The contest was sponsored by Northwestern University and the People's Republic of China Consulate General in Chicago and included about 60 students from 21 universities in the Midwest.

"Students have really done an excellent job," said Wei Wu, K-State instructor of modern languages. "This was our first time participating in this contest and it is only the second year of having a Chinese program at K-State."

Students and their awards include:

Michele Featherston, sophomore in sociology, Leawood, third place in second-year students category; Derek Burke, junior in political science, third place in first-year students category, and Michaela Valdois, senior in history, second place for third-year students category, both of Manhattan; Lauren Stockwell, sophomore in political science, Overland Park, third place in second-year students category; and Richard Lin, senior in finance, Topeka, third place in second-year heritage students.

In addition, one K-State student competed and placed in the 21st annual Japanese Language Speech Contest hosted by the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago. Thomas Vehlewald, senior in mechanical engineering, Overland Park, received second place in Category 4, the most advanced category in this 10-state regional competition.

"Both speech contests are the highest standard Asian language competition in which K-State students can participate," said Kyoko Mizuno, K-State instructor of modern languages. "These students should be very proud."