The EAS Lounge came alive on Saturday, November 8, 2025, as students from our Chinese Language Program transformed their learning into laughter, storytelling, and heartfelt expression at the annual EAS Chinese Skit and Speech Contest. The event drew a lively audience of students, families, and friends, all of whom gathered to celebrate the joy of language learning and performance.
This year’s contest featured over a hundred enthusiastic participants across six proficiency levels. In total, 43 groups presented original skits, while 14 students delivered individual speeches, showcasing not only linguistic skill but also wit, teamwork, and cultural insight.
The Best Original Skits awards went to Henry Siegler, Mason Pruitt, and Bryson Lee-Kwen for “很 累的书呆子 (A Very Tired Nerd);” Joshua Greghi, Alon Averbouch, and Noorey Shin for “加‘油’ (Add ‘Oil’);” Angela Wu, Alexandra Zhu, and Franada Xu for “回国见亲戚 (Meeting Relatives in China);” and Enoch Chiu, Max Xu, and Emily Zhang for “见父母 (Meeting Girlfriend’s Parents).” Each performance captured the audience’s imagination with humor, creativity, and the authentic use of Chinese language in everyday contexts.
In the speech category, contestants impressed judges with a wide range of topics, from Tang poetry to unforgettable encounters in Chinese cities, from ancient cosmology to personal cultural identities. Prize winners Lucy Liang, Olivia Yip, and Arthur Kao captivated the audience with eloquent reflections on bubble tea culture, Canadian and Chinese cosplay communities, and the significance of Chinese pop songs for a fourth-generation Chinese Canadian, respectively. Their performances demonstrated the program’s emphasis on both linguistic proficiency and critical thought.
A first-year student left the event inspired by the realization of how rapidly language proficiency can develop following the program. Instructors shared that they, too, delighted in seeing the lounge evolve into a stage for students’ theatrical imagination and growing command of Chinese.
Thanks to the generous support of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto and our own Department, winning teams and individuals received prizes, while all participants took home souvenirs in recognition for their hard work and enthusiasm. Local business Vava Cake has also contributed their signature cupcakes for the event, adding a pleasant local flavor to the gathering.
As applause filled the room and students posed proudly for group photos, the contest once again brought together students, instructors, and supporters in a shared celebration of creativity, community, and cross-cultural learning.
The skit “Add ‘Oil’.” A foreigner searches for authentic Sichuan Mapo Tofu on his way to discover the magic ingredient, Lao Gan Ma chilli oil. From right to left: Noorey Shin, Joshua Greghi, and Alon Averbouch
The skit “破坏 (Sabotage).” A “best” friend drugs her blind friend to gain an edge in a cooking competition, only to face an unexpected twist. From right to left: Yvonne Yeh, Annabelle Chin and Isabella Chan-Combrink.
EAS402 student and cosplayer Olivia Yip spoke warmly about cosplay culture across the Pacific in her speech.
EAS402 student Arthur Kao, known among his friends as a “karaoke king,” spoke about his favorite experiences singing Chinese songs with a smile he couldn’t quite hide.
EAS100 skit contest winners. From right to left, back to front: Bryson Lee-Kwen, Mason Pruitt, Henry Siegler, Kai To, Jessy Mclellan-Wang, Matthew Lefebvre, Luka Medic, Serdar Ermis, Gabriel Mcfadyen; Andrei Akopian, Vikas Kapoor, David Tudor, Hyerim Jeon, Alissa Nguyen, Shirin Batra, Maria Miroshinichenko, Tsubasa Ijichi
EAS101 skit contest winners. From right to left, back to front: Dean Chen, Hiroki Tanaka, Jeffery Zhan, George Zhang; Lily You, Danielle Lee, Dorothy Zheng, Franda Xu, Alexandra Zhu, Angela Wu, Stella Chen, Tiana Chan, Mark Parvez, William Liu; Alyssia Yu, Zoey Xi.
EAS300 speech contest winners with award presenters. From right to left: Award presenter - Zhang Meng, Education Counselor, Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto; Contest winners – Lucy Liang, Surie Truong, Rabia Syed, Tyler Cooper, and Christian Fisla; Award presenter – Wang Ying, Education Consul, Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto.