OGDEN — The public is invited to a talk by Kela Harrington about her experiences this past summer studying Chinese in Zhengzhou, Central China.
Kela, 15, will speak around noon Nov. 25, following the worship services at Congregational United Church of Christ, 3350 Harrison Blvd., in Ogden.
Kela was the youngest of 80 high school and college students from throughout the nation selected from 3,000 applicants to study Mandarin Chinese on scholarship from the U.S. State Department of Cultural Affairs “to develop understanding and positive relationships with other countries and people.”
The State Department program trains American youth in critical languages such as Turkish, Russian, Arabic and Mandarin Chinese.
Living with a Chinese family with a daughter her age, Kela walked to the local high school daily for classes.
Local Chinese students attend school from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. with lunch and dinner at school.
“Their hard work puts them ahead in the world,” Kela said.
Kela is the granddaughter of Gordon and Polly Harrington, of Ogden.
She and her parents, Jonathan, an absentee member of Congregational United Church of Christ, and Yiqi Harrington, live in Mercer Island, Wash.
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