HUSD News Stories

What began in a Mandarin immersion classroom has taken Higley High School junior Maxwell Moser to the world stage, representing the United States and placing among the top 30 in the world at the Chinese Bridge World Competition.

Maxwell began learning Mandarin in the Dual Language Immersion Program at Coronado Elementary School, where he spent five years building a strong foundation in the language after transferring to Arizona in second grade. He continued his Mandarin studies at Cooley Middle School and Sossaman Middle School and is now an AP Chinese student at Higley High School in the Higley Unified School District. 

His talent for Mandarin extends beyond the traditional classroom. Maxwell participated in two STARTALK programs at the University of Arizona, where he further developed his Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture. 

Years of continuous study led Maxwell to Chinese language competitions. After earning First Place in a competition hosted by the Arizona Chinese Language Teachers Association (AZCLTA), he advanced to the regional level. His performance there earned him a nomination to represent the United States at the Chinese Bridge World Competition, where he earned Third Prize, finishing among the top 30 in the world, ranking 15th overall by total score. He also received a one-semester study-abroad scholarship.

Maxwell has also used his language and cultural experiences to serve the broader community. In February, as a core member of the Mandarin & Music Group, he helped connect with the Gilbert Mayor’s Office and invite Mayor Anderson to serve as a guest speaker at the first Chinese Lunar New Year Concert at the Higley Center for Performing Arts. Hosted by the Higley High School Mandarin and Orchestra programs, the event also welcomed 25 visiting student performers from China, creating an opportunity for local students and community members to connect through language, music, and culture. He also helped encourage neighboring schools to explore sister-school partnerships with schools in China and additional Chinese language and cultural initiatives.

Maxwell’s journey illustrates where years of sustained language education can lead. His experience is an inspiration to younger learners, and an example of the impact of HUSD's Mandarin DLI Program.