“With the passing of Chinese scientist Yuan Longping, China and the world have lost one greatest agricultural scientists,” said Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation (基金会). Quinn also shared his memory of the “father of hybrid rice” in an interview with Xinhua on Sunday.

Quinn first met Yuan in October 2004, when Yuan traveled to Des Moines in the U.S. state of Iowa to receive the World Food Prize. As they walked out of the airport, Quinn received a call and stepped aside to speak. When he turned back a minute or two later, he lost Yuan. “I had never before ‘lost’ a laureate (贵人),” he said. After an anxious search, he found Professor Yuan surrounded by a group of smiling graduate students from Iowa State University who so admired him that they wanted to take him off for a meal and conversation.

Quinn admired Yuan as a teacher. “He always had time to answer questions and speak with young scientists and students. The American high school students we sent to his research center each year always returned filled with knowledge and a deep desire to learn more.”

In Quinn’s eyes, Yuan was incredibly modest, never seeking fame, and focused only on hard work and results that could help lift people out of poverty. With a ‘down to earth’ attitude, Yuan greatly reduced hunger and provided farmers with surplus (多余的) income through his discovery of hybrid rice.

Learning of Yuan’s passing away on Saturday, Quinn issued a statement to send his deepest sympathy to Yuan’s family and colleagues. “Professor Yuan Longping, who was truly beloved in his country and by all of us who knew him, will be greatly missed. His legacy will provide inspiration to generations far into the future, in China and across the world,” Quinn said in the statement.

Gong Linna, renowned Chinese musician and founder of Chinese New Art Music, put her music teaching methods to practice for the first time at the Tracing Roots practice concert and music festival of the Affiliated High School of Peking University on May 23.

The first song of the concert，Search High and Low，is an allusion(暗指)to the classical poem Li Sao, “The road ahead will be long. I shall search high and low.” “It’s arranged to be sung by all performers，indicating that we should all search high and low for our roots,” Gong says.

To explore the education and the popularization of Chinese music, in 2017，Gong established a research and development team, which includes ethnomusicologist, Du Yaxiong, and music historian, Zhao Zhongming, to deliberate her music teaching methods and summarize the vocal skills of Chinese music.

Gong believed that the popularization of Chinese music should rely on primary and secondary schools rather than music academies. The children’s passion for music and their outstanding performance amazed Gong, “When singing, they are completely immersed in the music. Music brings light and richness to one’s spiritual world. So, learning to sing is never about passing examinations, but about enjoying the music.”

Lu Yueming, instructor of the school’s art center, said, “The children worked really hard and kept in mind Gong’s instructions. Seeing their performance, I know that they truly fell in love with traditional Chinese music.”

Lu Yueming, instructor of the school’s art center, said, “The children worked really hard and kept in mind Gong’s instructions. Seeing their performance, I know that they truly fell in love with traditional Chinese music.”

“Seeing the children perform my pieces, I realized I should write more songs for them,” Lao Luo, Gong’s husband said proudly. “It’s a great encouragement for me to see how much they like the songs, and they really need content related to Chinese culture.” With an international vision, Gong will continue to write songs based on Chinese folk music or ancient poems.

Gong said children should learn about the beauty of Chinese music. Only when you know about your own sounds, can you have cultural confidence.

For 65 years, Women of Achievement has been shining a spotlight on the outstanding women. Here are 4 out of 10 finalists in 2020.

Susan Katzman

After a 36-year career with Saint Louis Public Schools, Susan Katzman has aimed at improving lives around. She co-founded the CORO Women in Leadership Alumnae program, an effort for program graduates to continue the work in the community on behalf of women. “My final goal is to make sure that there are fair opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender (性别) or race,” Katzman says.

Sherrill Jackson

After defeating her breast cancer (乳腺癌), Sherrill Jackson co-founded the Breakfast Club, Inc., an African American breast cancer support group now in its 22nd year. “Our task is to provide education, awareness, resources and support for our community about breast cancer and its prevention,” Jackson says.

Jennifer Hillman

The past 20 years, Hillman has focused on charity work—providing support in areas of education, health care, and local businesses. In 2015, Hillman set up the Hillman Scholars program for high school students. She is far more creative to organize the program not only providing funding for students, but also filled with special events and networking opportunities.

Carlene Davis

For 37 years, Carlene Davis has developed her days to teaching children from kindergarten to eighth grade. An operation, though, resulted in Davis’ retirement (退休). However, she never stops. After Davis got to feel better, she continued to teach fourth-graders at Montessori Schools and also began volunteering for American Association of Retired Persons.