Annual New York Turkish Contest
The Turkish Cultural Center of New York held the 7th International Turkish Language Olympics in which 356 students from various schools competed in 11 categories.
Students demonstrate their skills in seven categories including essay, grammar, poetry, singing, painting, folklore and talent categories.
Singing, poetry, and folklore competitors in the final elimination, where 35 of students vied for top honors and a trip to the final competition in Turkiye, completed the initial stage of the Language Olympics last night.
Aciya Jenkins from Central Jersey was awarded 1st place in the singing contest, while Nikolai Lue from Brooklyn Amity school took second and Ahsem Khan from the Pioneer Science Academy took third.
Amina Mekic from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, born in Bosnia during the Kosovo Conflict in the mid-90s, received the most uproarious applause for her peace poem, saying it came from the deepest reaches of her heart.
While Mekic received uproarious applause, she was beat out by Yiming Kudelaitijang from Brooklyn Amity.
The Brooklyn Amity School team was awarded with first place for their performance of a traditional Turkish dance, "Elazig - Trakya - Ege," in the "folklore" category.
Every year on the East Coast, the Turkish Cultural center organizes initial elimination rounds for theTurkish Language Olimpiad to choose winners to compete in Turkiye with other students from all over the world.
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