Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest
Yin Yu Tang is a late Qing dynasty merchant's house that was originally located in Huizhou in southeast China. Through a cultural exchange project with Huizhou, the Peabody Essex Museum dismantled and moved the over 200-year old house to Salem, Massachusetts. The house was re-erected at the museum as part of the PEM's transformation and expansion in June 2003.
In celebration of the unique learning opportunities Yin Yu Tang provides, PEM recently launched the Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest. Designed for middle and high school students, contestants were required to research quotes and household objects from the Huang family then write an essay detailing the daily life of an imaginary resident of Yin Yu Tang. Additional criteria included a well-reasoned consideration of the topic, an understanding of Chinese art and culture, effective use of primary and secondary sources, originality, and proper grammar. A panel of judges, which included museum curators, writers, and educators, evaluated entries.
First, second and third place finalists in two age categories were selected from a pool of entries from both middle and high school students in public, independent, and home schools from throughout New England.
Results for the 2008 Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest
The award ceremony for the Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest took place in the Chinese house on May 18, 2008. In attendance were Osaremen Okolo, Emma City, and Aletha Spang. Photo courtesy of Bruce MacLaren.
Click the titles below to read the winning submissions (PDF format).
Middle School
1st place - Emma City, Milton Academy, Milton, MA
To Face Another Day
2nd place - Osaremen Okolo, Milton Academy, Milton, MA
The Diary of: Huang Ai
3rd place - Aletha Spang, Saltonstall School, Salem, MA
Glowing Lanterns
High School
1st place - Kayla Demers, Gorham Middle/High School, Gorham, NH
The Return of Huang Xiqi
2nd place - Elizabeth Shih, The Chinese Language School, Lexington, MA
Looking Through a Glass Window
3rd place - Leah Glidden, Noble High School, North Berwick, ME
My Place in Yin Yu Tang
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