Area School Districts Collaborate To Host Second Chinese Student Cultural Performance

To celebrate what they have learned in their Mandarin classes, students from three area school districts are coming together for the second Chinese Student Cultural Performance.

The 100-minute show will be held on January 30 in John Hersey High School's Theater, 1900 E. Thomas St. in Arlington Heights. The show begins at 7:20 p.m.

High School Districts 214, 211, and Glenbard High School District 87 students will perform a variety of dances, including the Lion and Dragon dances, songs, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Yo-yo, poems, skits, and instrumental. Additionally, there will be a special Erhu performance by Betti Xiang, a professional musician and a martial arts demonstration called Shaolin Kung Fu by Master Zhiqiang Si, a teacher at the Bei Dou Shao Lin Kung Fu Academy in Palatine.

Mandarin Chinese has been taught for several years in each school district, and this show is an opportunity to expose others to the Chinese language and culture, according to George Kang, the show's organizer and a Mandarin teacher at Prospect and Rolling Meadows high schools.

"This show will not only showcase what our students have learned, but it will promote the Chinese culture to community members and future Mandarin learners in a more relaxed atmosphere," Kang said. "Also, an added benefit to current Mandarin students is that they will be engaged in hands-on activities that are directly tied to the AP Chinese exam."

Student performers are from Glenbard West High school in District 87, Conant, Fremd and Schaumburg high schools in District 211, and Buffalo Grove, John Hersey, Prospect, and Rolling Meadows High Schools in District 214. This is the fifth year Mandarin has been taught in District 87, fifth year in District 211, and sixth year in District 214.

The free-of-charge event is open to the public. For more information, contact Mandarin teacher George Kang at george.kang@d214.org.