WKU News

Growing up in a large family of six children in Frankfort, Kentucky, Evie always knew she wanted to explore the world beyond her hometown. With two of her siblings adopted from China, Evie was deeply motivated to learn about different languages and cultures from an early age. "My parents were always intentional about making sure my siblings stayed connected to their home culture," she shares. This personal connection to Chinese culture sparked Evie's passion for language learning and set her on a path to explore global education opportunities. 

Homeschooled throughout her academic career, Evie took dual-credit courses through a community college during her senior year as well as online language courses, which further ignited her interest in languages. "I really enjoyed language learning in high school, and I knew I wanted to do something with languages," she reflects. This passion, combined with her family's encouragement, led her to Western Kentucky University (WKU). Walking around the campus, Evie felt a strong sense of community. "You can feel the community… it doesn’t feel intimidating… and I realized I could get the education I wanted here," she recalls. 

Evie decided to double major in English Education for secondary teachers and Chinese. During her visit to WKU, she met Dr. Alex Poole, professor of Spanish and department chair of Modern Languages, and a fervent advocate for the Chinese Flagship Program (CFP). His enthusiasm, along with a recommendation from a former graduate of the program who attended her church, convinced her to explore this intensive program. "I had heard of the Chinese Flagship Program but didn’t know much about it. Dr. Poole was so passionate, and I knew it had to be something special," she explains. 

Despite the program's intensity, Evie has found a supportive community among her fellow Flagship students. "My best friends, including Sarah Gamble who helped me with my video, are from Flagship. The community here is incredible, and while it can be stressful at times, the benefits far outweigh the stress," she says gratefully. 

Participating in various cultural events hosted by the Chinese Flagship Program, such as making dumplings, practicing traditional dances, learning mahjong, and engaging in gift-exchanging traditions for Chinese New Year, has helped Evie immerse herself in the language and culture. These experiences have not only been some of her fondest memories but also invaluable opportunities to reinforce her classroom learning with real-world practice. 

Music has also played a significant role in Evie’s life. Coming from a musically inclined family, with her father, mother, and brother involved in music, she has always found joy in singing. When Instructor Li heard of her musical talents, Evie was encouraged to perform at a karaoke event hosted by the CFP. This led her to collaborate with Instructor Li, and her Flagship friend, Sarah Gamble, on amending a midterm assignment to complete her submission for the Sing with Me music video contest. The contest is a national competition open to middle, high school, and college Chinese language learners. 

This experience not only allowed her to showcase her talents but also helped her learn video editing skills and integrate music into her language learning. "It was one of those projects that made school feel less like work and more like an opportunity to express myself and connect my personal interests with my studies," she shares.  

In late August 2024, Evie and Sarah were recognized as third-place winners in the college submission category with a cover of “上春山," [translated as: Spring Mountain] which is about the positive feelings engendered by the coming of spring and the joy of reuniting with a friend. Sarah Gamble, the co-star, shares that “a lot of work went into creating the video behind the scenes, and learning and performing a song in another language is no small feat. I had a lot of fun acting in it, and I'm really proud for Evie that she's achieved such a great accomplishment.”  

Instructor Na Li also added that she and Flagship are “incredibly proud of Evelyn and Sarah's accomplishment, and it's clear that their hard work has truly paid off. Their success is a testament to their dedication and the vibrant learning environment of our program. I believe they have thoroughly enjoyed their Chinese journey, finding both joy and fulfillment along the way."  

You can watch their music video here. 

Now, in her second year of the CFP, she is focused on increasing her proficiency by spending more intentional time with instructors and language tutors and connecting with the new first-year students in the program, including her own sister, who is not only a CFP member, but also her roommate.  

Reflecting on her journey, Evie is thankful for her family's support and her faith, which have been integral to her growth, both musically and academically. She also expresses deep gratitude to her mother, who homeschooled her and her siblings for 20 years while balancing a career in education and skincare consultancy. "I'm so thankful for the time and effort she put into homeschooling us," Evie says.  

After graduation from Flagship, Evie's plans to teach English overseas, specifically in Taiwan or China, with high school learners. "I realized how much having a teacher who cares deeply about you can help guide you in your studies, and I want to be that for students," she says. She hopes to complete a master’s degree while teaching abroad, furthering her passion for languages and education. 

With several years still ahead at WKU, Evie is focused on making the most of every moment. From language immersion to cultural events, she is committed to building her skills, making meaningful connections, and fully engaging with the vibrant community around her.