Niles North senior Emily Khek was recognized as the 2013-2014 outstanding student for her proficiency in the Chinese language.

She was recognized for this achievement by her Chinese teacher, Miss Yan Qian, who was honored to present this award to Khek. “Emily’s interest in Chinese language and culture goes beyond our Chinese classroom. She often shares with her classmates and me what she hears from the radio or TV about Chinese culture,” Qian said.

This outstanding student has taken Chinese at Niles North for all four years of her high school career. In April 2012, Khek participated in the Midwest Chinese Speech Contest and earned a silver medal for non-heritage speakers. “I feel honored to have received this award out of all of the many amazing Chinese speakers at our school. I wouldn’t have been able to be this successful in learning the language without my teacher’s help,” Khek said.

Khek looks forward to continuing her passion for the Chinese language when she is in college and beyond.