Higley High student advances to global Chinese competition

A Higley High School student has advanced to the top 30 of the Chinese Bridge World Competition after years of studying Mandarin through programs in the Higley Unified School District.

Maxwell Moser, a junior at Higley High School, began learning Mandarin through the district's Dual Language Immersion Program at Coronado Elementary School after moving to Arizona in second grade. He continued his studies at Cooley Middle School and Sossaman Middle School and is enrolled in AP Chinese at Higley High.

Moser also participated in two STARTALK programs at the University of Arizona, where he further developed his language skills and broadened his understanding of Chinese culture.

His language studies led to success in competition. After earning first place in a contest hosted by the Arizona Chinese Language Teachers Association, Moser advanced to the regional level and was nominated to represent the United States at the Chinese Bridge World Competition.

He has since advanced to the competition's top 30 participants worldwide.

Beyond the classroom, Moser has used his language skills to support community and cultural engagement efforts.

In February, he helped coordinate with the Gilbert Mayor's Office to invite Mayor Scott Anderson to speak at the first Chinese Lunar New Year Concert at the Higley Center for Performing Arts.

The event, hosted by Higley High School's Mandarin and orchestra programs, welcomed 25 visiting student performers from China and provided opportunities for cultural exchange through language and music.

Moser also helped encourage local schools to explore sister-school partnerships and other Chinese language and cultural initiatives.

District officials said Moser's achievements highlight the long-term opportunities available through sustained language education and the district's Mandarin immersion program.