18/11/2024

SALCC Students Shine in Taiwan ICDF Mandarin Music Video Competition

By Embassy of the Republic of China 

The Global Second Place finishers -- Leah Jones and Precious Fontenelle -- won US$150.00 for
their efforts. The first team which won Popularity Awards comprised Bryant Carasco, Jadel
Francis, Jovon Benti and Merlaner Joseph, while the second team comprised Kiernan Lambert,

Kimmannie Henry, Urith Cox, Lencha Pindar, Annabelle Casimir, and Geanna Marius. One team
received US$80.00 while the other received US$50.00.
In the videos, the students depicted the friendships and fun and leisure activities they engage in
to balance their college life, including picnics, hikes, and tree climbing.
Organized annually by TaiwanICDF, Mandarin students from Taiwan’s friendly nations are
invited to participate in the global music video competition. This year’s competition saw seven
entries from Saint Lucia, all submitted by SALCC teams and set to the song “Friends,” which
celebrates friendship and genuine connections — a fitting theme given the close relationship
between Taiwan and Saint Lucia. Additionally, Rosa Emmanuel and Jayida Joinville from St.
Joseph’s Convent performed the song “Side by Side”. You can watch most of the videos on the
TaiwanICDF School YouTube channel.
The SALCC students were recognized and rewarded for their impressive efforts during a brief
ceremony held at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College on Friday afternoon, November 8, 2024.
H. E. Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, congratulated the participants
for their outstanding performances, noting that 25 teams from 8 countries competed in this year’s
competition.
Ambassador Chen said Mandarin, which is spoken by over 730 million people worldwide, is also
a doorway to a rich culture and a rapidly growing job market. He told the students that learning
Mandarin can open up new pathways and help shape a brighter future.
“I want to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College
for collaborating with our Mandarin teacher, Mr. Andres Chi, to create a well-rounded language
learning environment,” Ambassador Chen said. “Since the Taiwan Embassy began working with
the Ministry of Education on the Mandarin Pioneer Program two years ago, we have seen
remarkable progress. This year, participation in the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language
(TOCFL) reached a record high, with 73 participants, including 12 from Sir Arthur Lewis
Community College. The participants achieved an outstanding pass rate of 98.61%. It is also a
testament to Teacher Chi’s dedicated instruction and the hard work of the students.”
Ambassador Chen said the Mandarin Music Video Competition aims to highlight students’
progress in learning Mandarin while also showcasing their creativity and media editing skills. He
stated that it was inspiring to see the winning teams each performing the same song, “Friends”,
but in uniquely expressive ways, demonstrating their talent and personal touch. He also recalled
SALCC students performing the song impressively at the opening ceremony of the Saint Lucia-
Taiwan Partnership Trade Show in early November, adding that learning Mandarin is an essential
investment.
“The Taiwan Embassy is committed to working closely with the Government of Saint Lucia and
Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to provide more high-quality opportunities for Mandarin
learning in Saint Lucia,” Ambassador Chen stated.

Also expressing commendations to the outstanding students was Dr. Madgerie Jameson-Charles,
Principal of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, who said the students’ ability to use music to
bridge cultures was both admirable and inspiring.
“This moment is a testament to your hard work, dedication and creativity,” Dr. Jameson-Charles
told the students. “In a world where music transcends boundaries and connects hearts, you have
shown that you possess not only exceptional musical talents, but also the spirit of innovation and
collaboration. Competing on an international stage and securing the commendable second place
is no small feet. It highlights your ability to shine brightly amidst the fierce competition and
diverse talents from across the globe.” Mr. Andres Chi, Mandarin Teacher at the Taiwan Technical Mission attached to SALCC, also
expressed congratulations to the outstanding students. Since he began teaching Mandarin as an
elective subject recently, he has been instrumental in helping students learn the language by
incorporating Saint Lucian and Taiwanese culture into his lessons.
Also present at the awards ceremony were Dr. Kathy Depradine, Dean of Humanities and
Sciences at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College; Mrs. Tracy Pilgrim-George, Senior
Advancement Officer at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC); Mrs. Selena
Chang, Deputy Counselor at the Taiwan Embassy; and other SALCC students.

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