American teenager shines in a global Chinese language contest

Cambry Gerardi, a 13-year-old student from the Houston Independent School District, was in the top 15 in the finals for the 12th "Chinese Bridge" contest for non-Chinese secondary school students. The competition was held in Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan Province, from October 18 to November 2.

Gerardi's enthusiasm for Chinese culture has grown in the seven years that she's studied the Chinese language.She hopes to become an actress in China once she's finished her studies. "I really love Chinese culture. I hope that there will be more chances for me to learn about this historical country, and to meet more like-minded friends," said Gerardi.

During the finals of the "Chinese Bridge" competition, Gerardi and the other contestants had the opportunity to visit the Shaolin Temple and the Longmen Grottoes along with other historical sites in Henan Province.

More than 120 secondary school students representing 105 countries competed in the last days of the finals. From March to September, the preliminary rounds of this year's competition were held at regional contests around the world.

Cambry Gerardi won first place in the secondary school students group in the Southern USA Final Competition, which was held at Xavier University in New Orleans in Louisiana on April 28.