GVA Students Shine in Prestigious 2025 Chinese Bridge Competition in Los Angeles

2025 Chinese Bridge Regional Winners

We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of two Global Village Academy students who earned top honors at the 2025 Regional Chinese Bridge Competition in Los Angeles in May.

Calvin Hodges, middle school champion from GVA North, won First Prize in the Secondary Level, impressing judges with both his language skills and cultural insight. Calvin recited an original Chinese poem and eloquently used the phrase “Perseverance can carve through metal” to describe his dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer like Michael Phelps. His performance was a moving example of how language and personal passion can come together to inspire.

Thanachrid Sangrit Uparanukraw, primary school winner from GVA Douglas County, claimed 1st place in the Elementary Division, captivating the audience with a vibrant display of Chinese culture. Dressed in traditional costume, he performed music and dance that showcased both talent and deep cultural appreciation. His performance included waist drum playing and Chinese folk tunes.

The Chinese Bridge is a prestigious international competition that brings together the most talented non-native Chinese speakers from around the world. Designed to promote cultural exchange and inspire a love for the Chinese language, this year’s regional event featured top students from five western states.

Congratulations to Calvin, Thanachrid, and the entire GVA team for this outstanding success! Your hard work, dedication, and passion for global learning continue to make us proud.

2025 Chinese Bridge Colorado Winners

In April, Global Village Academy Aurora proudly hosted the 2025 Colorado State Chinese Bridge Competition, welcoming Mandarin language learners for a vibrant day of cultural exchange and academic celebration. Students showcased their skills through speeches, performances, and creative displays; each one was a powerful reflection of their dedication to learning Chinese and exploring global perspectives.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to everyone who contributed to the event’s success. From the hardworking students and supportive families to the tireless staff, judges, and volunteers, your efforts made this celebration of language and culture truly unforgettable. We are proud of our entire GVA community for the collaboration, preparation, and pride you brought to this event.

Please join us in congratulating the following state-level winners:

Elementary Division Winners

• 1st Place: Thanachrid Sangrit Uparanukraw (GVA-DC) and Jacob Mcanally - 4th Grade (GVA-A)
• 2nd Place: Emma Ayala - 4th Grade (GVA-A)
• 3rd Place: Kinley Jenica Cox (GVA-DC), Isabella Carrillo - 5th Grade (GVA-N), Leiyu Kassa - 3rd Grade (GVA-N)

Middle School Division Winners

• 1st Place: Calvin Hodges - 8th Grade (GVA-N)
• 2nd Place: Valentina Ho - 8th Grade (GVA-A)
• 3rd Place: Lindsey Rojas Berto - 8th Grade (GVA-A), Adrian Jose Gonzalez (GVA-DC), Emily Clara Perlinger (GVA-DC)
• Merit Award: Ximena Galindo (GVA-N)

• GVA-A Mandarin Team: Lichang Tan, Lily Li, Yang Chen, Mengxue Zhang, and Simei Chen
• Ms. Lou Laoshi (GVA-DC)
• Ms. Wen Cai (GVA-N) – Outstanding Judge Award
• Ms. Li Shang (GVA-N) – Coordinator Recognition for her exceptional contributions to organizing the event.