Student Max Rasilla wins second place in 2025 National Chinese Speech Contest

Max Rasilla '25 delivers his speech virtually during the 2025 National Chinese Speech Contest. Max finished second in the contest, which is hosted annually by The American Academy of International Culture and Education.

Alfred University student Max Rasilla has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning second place nationwide in the highly competitive 2025 National Chinese Speech Contest.

Rasilla is a senior from Moraga, CA, majoring in art and design and minoring in Chinese Language and Culture. His speech, titled "Encountering Chinese," shared his personal journey of learning Chinese and the profound impact the language and culture have had on his life and artistic pursuits.

This prestigious contest, hosted annually by The American Academy of International Culture and Education, is the only nationwide Chinese speech competition in the United States. The 2025 competition attracted over 1,000 students from 34 states, ranging from elementary school to university level. The college group final round, held online on March 29, featured 15 outstanding university finalists from across the country, including students from Emory University, Michigan State University, the University of Virginia, the University of Houston, Wake Forest University, and others.

Zhongbei (Daisy) Wu, AU Clinical Associate Professor of Music and Language and Max's mentor, described the competition as intense, with only one contestant receiving first place, two receiving second place, and three receiving third place. The competition was incredibly challenging, requiring not only a four-minute prepared speech but also an impromptu Q&A session, where contestants had to respond spontaneously to two to three questions posed in Chinese by a distinguished panel of judges. This year's panel consisted of esteemed Chinese language professors from MIT, Yale University, and Georgia State University. Wu said Rasilla demonstrated extraordinary composure, linguistic ability, and cultural insight, earning him this prestigious award.

Wu said the achievement marks a historic moment for Alfred University, showcasing the strength of the university's Chinese Language and Culture program and underscoring its commitment to fostering global engagement. She said Rasilla's success is an inspiration to students, reinforcing the value of cross-cultural learning in today's interconnected world.

"I am incredibly proud of Max. Mentoring him has been an absolute privilege, and throughout this competition journey, his unwavering dedication and passion for learning have deeply inspired me," Wu commented. "His success is not only a personal victory but also a reflection of Alfred University's commitment to global education. I have also learned a great deal from him. This moment is one to celebrate, and I look forward to exploring new opportunities to further enhance our students' global learning experiences."

As a ceramic art major, Max has a strong interest in Chinese culture, particularly in traditional Chinese ceramics. Wu said his proficiency in Mandarin Chinese will be an invaluable asset as he explores potential opportunities in Jingdezhen, China, a world-renowned center for ceramic arts.

"Max's remarkable success in the National Chinese Speech Contest has not only brought him personal honor but also serve as an inspiration for future students to embrace language learning and cross-cultural understanding."