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Left to right: Rae
Duan, Maria Long, Don Wei, David Yuan, Tian Liang,
Jack Wang
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I was only a toddler then, without awareness and
lacking connection to the real world. I was a
new resident, the Chinese entering America. I
was unfamiliar to the environment and discontent with
society around me. The Great Wall Chinese School
changed all this.
The school held its first class in the living room
of the apartment I lived in. I felt a sense of
sanguinity about, with parents and friends alike.
They shared the common goal of integrating the Chinese
language and passing down the culture to their
children. That first day and the gathering of
ideals marked a beginning to something that will
always be a part of my personal beloved memories.
This establishment and the people that made it
possible are special to me. It underlined an
atmosphere where I could learn and grow, adapting to a
new life with those that understood me most. I
made friends, I gained confidence, and I matured
through the irreplaceable help of the Great Wall
Chinese School.
I look back today, and remember those great times.
I can still picture the warm and wholesome setting,
where friends and family gathered for annual Chinese
New Year festivities. I can still imagine the
performances the classes put on - all the laughter,
all the enjoyment.  I
can recall the camping trips, when we would enjoy
spending time in the presence of mother nature.
And even still I can think back to the day when we
held the first class. Such the simple idea it
was, but now the hallmark achievement that has
influenced so many.
With joint togetherness and cooperation, knowledge
taught and knowledge learned, laughter shared and
friendships born, it is a place where all look forward
to going each day of the week. The Chinese
school is more than just a school. It is a
community.
It is difficult to comprehend what the school has
become. Its limits have spread far and wide,
dwarfing the establishment it had started out to be.
I have the great honor of being amongst the first
graduating class of the school, as well as to be able
to express my thoughts on its influence on my personal
behalf. I speak for all its students who have
gone and future ones to come when I say thank you,
to all the Great Wall Chinese School has been.
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