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In March, as the spring breeze blew gently and warmth gradually returned, the Tzu Chi Academy in Toronto held its “Jing Si Aphorisms Storytelling and Speech Contest” for middle and upper-grade students on March 29th in a joyful and warm atmosphere.
Students from the middle and upper grades of the Tzu Chi Academy, Toronto gathered for the event. Esteemed judges, teachers, and parents were also invited to come together and listen as the children shared the wisdom and inspiration of Jing Si Aphorisms with heartfelt dedication.
Gathering of Goodwill in the Warmth of Spring
The “Jing Si Aphorisms Storytelling and Speech Contest” at the Tzu Chi Toronto Academy was divided into middle and senior grade groups, with six classes and a total of 23 students enthusiastically participating, fully showcasing their achievements in language learning and their journeys of personal growth.
Today (March 29), we were also very honored to have several distinguished guests attend to provide guidance and serve as judges, including: Ms. Mei-Shan Shih, President of the Eastern Canada Chinese Schools Association; Mr. Won-Pei Wang, President of the Council of Asian-Canadian Associations; Ms. Mei-Chun Liu, former principal of the Tzu Chi Academy, Toronto; and Ms. Su-Wen Chang, former principal of the Tzu Chi Academy, North Toronto.
We also warmly welcomed Ms. Tsai-Feng Hsu, Deputy Director of the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto, for her guidance.
Children’s voices share the Dharma; Jing Si Aphorisms take root in heart and action
“May you continue to diligently improve, accumulating confidence and wisdom with every effort, and become role models for learning.” This time, two upper-grade students served as the emcees. With poise and confidence, they guided the pace of the event, infusing it with warmth and order through their clear articulation and appropriate stage presence. They not only showcased excellent language skills but also embodied a spirit of responsibility and service.
On the day of the event, the students, dressed in their Tzu Chi Academy uniforms, appeared focused and determined, with confident smiles on their faces. As the contest officially began, the contestants took the stage one by one, using their clear and sincere voices to narrate stories based on Jing Si Aphorisms.
Some students spoke on “making concentration a habit, for an undistracted mind leads to stability,” relating their own learning experiences and how they developed good study habits. Others shared stories on “maintaining a heart of gratitude, respect, and love,” reflecting on thankfulness and appreciation in the small moments of family life. Still others used lively role-playing to transform abstract principles into concrete scenarios, earning rounds of appreciative applause from the audience.
Applause is encouragement—and a flow of love
The event featured not only the students’ dedicated performances but also the accompaniment and support of teachers and parents. Parents listened quietly, giving enthusiastic applause at the end of their children’s speeches and using their phones to record these precious moments of growth. Within the applause was encouragement, and even more so, a flow of love.
“Seeds of goodness sprout; progress is seen in learning.” The contest specially invited several guests who care about Chinese language education and humanistic development to serve as judges. With feedback that was both warm and professional, the judges provided direction for the students, offering systematic guidance on appearance, stage presence, and language expression.
During the feedback session, it was mentioned: “What truly moves people is not just the delivery of language, but the courage to participate in the speech and the sincerity of the heart.” This statement, like a new Jing Si Aphorism, quietly planted a seed in the children’s hearts. The judges fully affirmed the efforts and performances of all students, emphasizing that regardless of whether they won an award, the children had already gained growth and honor. They offered their sincere blessings, encouraging the children to continue improving and moving forward.
Integrating Dharma into Life for Enduring Goodness and Beauty
After careful evaluation by the judges, the “Jing Si Aphorisms Storytelling and Speech Contest” awarded first, second, and third prizes, as well as merit awards, in both the middle and upper-grade divisions.
The results not only recognized outstanding students but also served to encourage the excellent performance of all participants, allowing more students to gain a sense of achievement and motivation for growth. This reflects the humanistic educational spirit of “using contest to promote learning, and using learning to promote action.”
The contest concluded perfectly in a warm, encouraging, and grateful atmosphere. No one was merely a “contestant”; every student was a practitioner on the path of learning Jing Si Aphorisms. This contest was not just a display of language, but a journey of the soul. May the children, accompanied by Jing Si Aphorisms, put goodness and love into practice in their daily lives, allowing these values to take root, sprout, and flourish endlessly.