While most American high school students in foreign language programs are learning Spanish or French, students in the Peninsula School District are thriving in Chinese programs. They have won top honors in Chinese competitions and taken part in immersion activities to speak only Chinese for a whole day. This article in the Kitsap Sun features Peninsula School District Chinese language teacher Heidi Steele reflecting on the growing popularity of learning Chinese to prepare for careers. Local students took first place in Chinese poetry recitals, and the Gig Harbor High School team won first place in the Chinese Knowledge Bowl for the second year in a row.

Christina Hallock | For Gig Harbor Life