James H. Vernon School’s talented 5th and 6th grade students made an impressive mark at the 2nd Annual CLASS National Chinese Talent Contest—a nationwide event celebrating K-12 students' creativity and skills in Chinese language and culture. This year, our students excelled in multiple categories, earning top awards in singing, dancing, sports and art.

The 5th grade took center stage in the singing category, earning 10 first-place awards for their lively performance of “Happy New Year.” Congratulations to our winners: Annalee Jane Campiglia, Ava Fishberger, Fisher Duxbury, Joshua Torres, Julia D’Anna, June Hux, Milana Isakarov, Oliver Khalife, Paulina Kartsonis and Victoria Peltzer.

Both 5th and 6th grade students displayed remarkable talent in the art category, earning well-deserved recognition. Milana Isakarov secured second place, while June Hux and Katerina Belesis earned third place.

Our 6th grade students showcased elegance and cultural appreciation in their stunning dance performance of “Blue and White Porcelain.” Anna Bakalis, Sharlynn Biel and Alayna Shamalov earned third place for their exceptional performance.

In the sports category, Alayna Shamalov demonstrated impressive skill in aerial yoga, earning a third-place win.

These incredible achievements were made possible under the dedicated guidance of Vernon’s Mandarin teachers, Ms. Wang (5th Grade) and Ms. Song (6th Grade). Their support and encouragement have helped our students excel in their appreciation of Chinese language and culture. Congratulations to all our participants and winners for their outstanding performances!

Date Added: 4/3/2025