On May 21th, the Jersey Shore Chinese School Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (JSCS-TCML) in New Jersey hosted the first achievement exhibition and closing ceremony. In the ceremony, 26 students were awarded the first graduation certificate of the JSCS-TCML, and 3 students won the Perfect Attendance Award.

The adult students of the basic class taught by Ms. Bright Lin recited the Tang poem "Poem of Farmers", showing the results of three months of learning, and won lots of applause from guests and their families. The advanced class taught by Mrs. Jennifer Wei used many idioms in their daily conversations, successfully demonstrating their Chinese proficiency. Complemented with the soul-stirring piano music with modern dance, the students of Ms. Lifeng Mao’s elite class recited Zhimo Xu's poem "Chance", giving a wonderful performance. Then, the students from the intermediate class of Ms. Kuanni Chien sang the classic song "The Moon Represents My Heart" and led the audience to sing together. In the end, with the wonderful singing of "Happy Birthday", the students presented a cake to celebrate the closing ceremony of JSCS-TCML.

The closing ceremony was hosted by Ms. Chimin Hu. JSCS Principal I-Chung Young thanked the Oversea Community Affairs Council (OCAC) and Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York (TECO-NY) for their support. The establishment of the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning has brought a new atmosphere to the Jersey Shore Chinese School. OCAC associate advisor Jessica Lee, New Jersey Assemblywoman, Vicky Flynn, Holmdel Township Committee DJ Luccarelli, and former principals of JSCS were all present. Although the director of TECO-NY, Forrest Chen, was unable to attend, he still sent his blessings. Forrest Chen said that the JSCS-TCML is the newest learning center established in New Jersey this year, and is currently one of the most effective learning centers in the east coast of United States. This is a key project for educational cooperation between Taiwan and the United States. JSCS-TCML provides Mandarin teaching with Taiwanese culture, which enhances understanding of different ethnic groups. He would like to thank all the staff of JSCS-TCML for their efforts, and to look forward to having opportunities to cooperate with the community in the future.

New Jersey Assemblywoman, Vicky Flynn said that it was great to be here to celebrate the accomplishment of the first semester of JSCS-TCML. She thinks it is so lucky for Holmdel to have Jersey Shore Chinese School at William Satz School every Saturday morning and now there is the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning too. It is amazing to put all these programs together. Maybe one day she will join the program to learn Mandarin. Holmdel Township Committee Luccarelli said it is an honor to come to the celebration. He thinks it is important to have JSCS-TCML in the Holmdel community. He saw the food JSCS-TCML prepared, he would like to try the Taiwanese food after the ceremony.  

The JSCS-TCML managing director, Cindy Chiang, introduced the history of Jersey Shore Chinese School, as well as the curriculum of TCML. She thanked all the teachers and the administrative team. She presented the various activities since TCML’s establishment, including the opening ceremony, New Year's celebration, Bell Works ribbon-cutting ceremony, karaoke competition, typing competition, word recognition competition, Taiwan Food Festival and Dragon Boat Festival. These activities show that JSCS-TCML not only has excellent language and cultural courses, but also has many rich extra-curricular activities. She invited everyone to tell friends and families to come to JSCS-TCML to learn Mandarin and get to know Taiwan.