Whispering Wind Academy students achieved notable success at the Southern California Chinese Bridge Competition earlier this month, with several earning top placements in their divisions, according to a May 29 announcement.
In the Grades 2–3 division, Laurelin Benefiel secured first place and Quinn Sidoff took second. The Grades 4–6 division saw Samantha Anderson winning first place, Kiara Shah earning second, and Addilyn Lim taking third. Additional students including Donovan Beebe-Caramanna, Garrett Robinett, Jaxon Keane, and Kian Shah received Honorable Mentions for their performances.
Samantha Anderson and Kiara Shah advanced to the Southwest Regional Chinese Bridge Competition in Los Angeles on May 9. After meeting the Chinese Ambassador and participating in cultural activities during the morning session, both competed against peers from five states. Samantha finished in third place—just short of advancing to international competition in China—while Kiara received an Honorable Mention.
Paradise Valley Unified School District operates under a board of school trustees and serves the Paradise Valley area in Arizona. The district offers community learning centers and magnet programs designed to enhance educational opportunities for its students. It also promotes anti-racism, equity, and inclusion policies, and focuses on engaging learners through quality instruction and dynamic experiences, according to the official website.
The district said it is proud of Whispering Wind Academy’s performance at these competitions.
