I just a attended an awarding event that highlighted
respectable achievers in the Asian American community. It was such an honor and
pride to be there and I can’t help but think of a recent conversation I had
with a veteran, who I might say validated the ingenuity of Asians. He said he
wanted to go back to school so he could teach Math as he stressed, “our
children are losing it.” With his observation of academic leniency among our
youth today, he expressed concern that America might lose its edge to China.
Being Asian myself, I take pride in that but at the same time I don’t think it
really is a bad thing – we are basically just becoming more – globally united.
How about that? As much as I hate to bring up any topic that identifies any
race, the “but’s” are quite obvious. I went to a college here in the US where
25% of the student body were international students from Asia who populated 40%
of the honor roll. English was our
second language (third for me) but we spoke the language and we ace our English
classes. Asian students excelled in Math and in computers and turned in their
projects and homework - on time!
And I might add, we didn’t’ party, we just went to school, just eager to learn. And oh, we didn’t watch TV that much
either except for CNN. On the other hand, I don’t want to be an egotistic,
ungrateful immigrant because with all truthfulness, it's this country that
provided great resources and convenient facilities for these students to excel.
I do hope that our young generation would see these resources and turn them
into gold. And, I don't worry much about losing the edge to China. We just need
China, period.
I felt really very privileged to have worked with the Utah Asian
Chamber of Commerce this year to celebrate and award outstanding Asian Americans in the
community. It was an honor to be one of the graphic designers and photographers for the event.
With the collaboration of the UACC board, we came up with a
theme, designed to celebrate the Asian American and the Pacific Islander
heritage month.
The committee is composed of volunteers and for such big an
event, it’s impressive how the committee was able put together a
well-coordinated event in a short amount of time. Congratulations to the Gala committee!
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|
Gala Chair, Maria Recto (2nd left) with family and event
sponsors, Manny and Heidi Evangelista (right)
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Gala Committee
Maria Celia Recto – Chair
Agnes Higley – Co Chair
Board Members:
Eunice Jones
Ze Min Xiao
Lisa Cheng
Shilpi Culmer
Mary Jose Smith
Rick Lam
Silvana Watanabe
Judge Ray Uno
Robert Rendon
Sindee Ngo
Cindy Thomas
Leslie Nuon
Roger Tsai
Sarah Lu
Pamela Okumura
Maria Maier
Shu Zhao
Yvonne Tran-Estrada
The event started with a silent auction, an avenue to generate funds for the organization's scholarship program.
The event started with a silent auction, an avenue to generate funds for the organization's scholarship program.
Hosted by lovely and articulate, Erin Collard of B98.7 FM, the show itself kicked off with a live drum beat as graceful, jovial polynesian dancers lined into the ballroom hall.
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| Ailine's Touch of Polynesia |
While enjoying a sumptuous dinner prepared by Executive Chef Scott Monell, the audience were entertained by the Katutubo Philippine Dance Ensemble. The cultural group presented a colorful pre-colonization royalty dance from the Southern part of Philippine called Singkil.
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| The Katutubo Philippine Dance Ensemble, Singkil |
Knowing the awardees and what they have accomplished is just
the best of all! Their work and stories are quite an inspiration.
Honoring our Awardees:
2013 Outstanding Asian Professionals
Vivian S. Lee, MD. PhD, MBA
Dr. Vivian Lee has served as Senior VP for Health Sciences
at the U of U, Dean of the University's School of Medicine, and CEO of
University of Utah Health Care. In
this position, she is responsible for an annual budget of more than $2.3
billion; a healthcare system comprising of four hospitals, numerous clinical
and research specialty centers like the Hunstman Cancer Institute and John
Moran Eye Center, a network of 10 neighborhood health centers, an insurance
plan, and over 1,200 board of certified physicians, and five colleges including
the School of Medicine, of which she also serves as Dean, the College of
Nursing, Pharmacy, Health and the most recently, Dentistry.
Michael Le, Principal Broker Trinamic Realty
Michael owns and manages over six commercial strip malls,
downtown convenience stores and patented a novelty product that is being sold
and distributed in many retail stores throughout the United States. He also owns a manufactured home park
with 40 units and 12 acres residential development zoned for 100 homes.
Xiaoming Sheng, Ph.D.
Chairman of Board of Governors, Chinese Association for Science and
Technology, USA
Dr. Xiaoming Sheng received his Bachelor's and Master's
degrees in Engineering from University of Science and Technology of China, and
Ph.D. in Statistics from University of Alberta. He is an Associate Professor in
the Department of Pediatrics at University of Utah. He is co-director of the
Study Design and Biostatistics Center at the University of Utah Center for
Clinical and Translational Science, and appointed chair of the University's
Statistics Committee and director of the Master of Statistics program in
2013-2016. He is a lifetime member of the Chinese Association for Science and
Technology, USA and its Utah Chapter. He was elected CAST-USA President in
2012, and CAST-UT President in 2008 and 2009.
2013 Outstanding Asian Business Owner Awards
Imelda "Erni" Hernandez Armstrong is the President
and CEO of Freestyle Marketing Group, an advertising agency. Erni started this business in
2000. In 2012, Freestyle Marketing Group had capitalized billings of $2.53
million. The business has its 2013 projection set at $2.95 million- a 17%
increase from last year. From new
business development to copywriting, account planning, and other roles within
marketing -Erni's done it and she produced incredible results. Her largest clients include Industrial
Supply, Xinsurance, and Heatwurx.
Paul Seo is the owner of Creative Award, a trophy and award
business. Creative Awards started
in 1976 after Paul's father left O.C. Tanner. In 1986, Paul took over his father's business so that his
Dad could finally retire. Under
Paul's management and new creative ideas in customizing awards, the business
gradually expanded. Out of state
clients as far as New York has remained faithful and very pleased with Paul's
creative attention to details and contemporary design. One of Paul's major
achievements is making a pioneer breakthrough in this cookie cutter industry.
Utah Asian Charitable Foundation
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| 2013 Scholars with Utah Asian Charitable Foundation Chair, Eunice Jones and Co-Chair, Robert Rendon |
2013 Scholarship Recipients
$1000 Scholarship Recipients
Quyah Tram Pham is pursuing a degree in Mechanical
Engineering at the University of Utah.
An immigrant from Vietnam, her father always reminds her “education is
the only way you can change your life”. Quyah is an active member of the Bennion Center Service
Corp. and the Asian American Student Association. She has been awarded with
several art and academic awards and honors in Mathematics and Physics. “Participating in these organizations
gives me the opportunity to help our community through variety of events, such
as raising money for poor people and disabled children”. This scholarship is
sponsored by Dr. Dinesh and Kalpana Patel.
Ler Wah is a
refugee from Thailand, currently attending Salt Lake Community College. His goal is to attain a Master’s degree
in Public Administration (MPA) at the University of Utah. While attending school and working
full-time to support his family, Ler also finds time to help in his community
by helping the needy and those who are struggling with the English language.
Kevin Han migrated to United States from China with his
family when he was 3 years of age.
Growing up, Kevin has always been fascinated with how and why things
work, especially with the mechanics behind a car’s power train. Because of this, he is majoring in
Mechanical Engineering and he eventually wants to achieve his Master’s
Degree. Kevin is currently
practicing as a support engineer at Edwards Life Sciences. He is an active member of the Asian
Student Association at Salt Lake Community College and the UOCA, organizations
that raise awareness of the Asian cultures.
Victoria Au is
attending Itineris Early College High School in West Jordan, with hopes to
pursue a degree in Sports Science at the University of Utah. Her dream is to become a physician one
day. “I am passionate about helping those with health problems, especially
those who are not able to obtain health care due to financial reasons. Making a
difference and knowing I have changed someone’s life for the better is what’s
most rewarding”. Victoria is currently a student liaison officer to the United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Campus Initiative Chapter at the University of
Utah.
Emilio Camu is a 20-year old Filipino advocate of Asian
Americans pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, minor in Asian
American Studies at the University of Utah. Emilio plans on pursuing a Master’s degree in either
Educational Leadership & Policy or Asian American Studies, in order to
obtain a position in Higher Education Student Affairs. “I want to be an
advocate on an administrative level for Asians and Asian Americans in higher
institutions especially for Middle East, Southeast and South Asian groups that
have been underrepresented”.
Brian Truong is
a sophomore student at the University of Utah. He is pursuing a Bachelor’s of
Science degree in Biology, preparatory to Dental Medicine. Brian first started to explore his
leadership skills and abilities by becoming Vice President of M.E.S.A, Bulletin
Editor of Key Club, and becoming appointed as a Senator in West High School’s
Student Government. “I identify myself as Vietnamese American because I believe
that it is important to know and understand where one comes from. This understanding gives an individual
a greater social-psychological perspective on society and it helps diversify
the community”.
Stephanie Yu is
a freshman at the University of Utah.
She is currently in the cohort of the Diversity Scholars program and a
member of the Honors College on campus.
She is involved in the Vietnamese American Student Association and
Chinese American Association.
Stephanie also plans to double major in Business and Mandarin Chinese.
“I am hoping to use these skills to form a friendly connection between China
and the United States’ marketing system”.
500 Scholarship Recipients
Augustina Tang is a full-time student at Salt Lake Community
College, as well as a high school student while maintaining a cumulative 3.9
GPA for both. Augustina has deep
interest in the environment and animals.
Sudha Shrestha
is a junior at the University of Utah. She is currently working on a double
major in Mass Communication and Sociology. She is pursuing her PhD in Sociology and teaching as a
professor. This scholarship is sponsored by Ishleen Management Corporation.
Thinh Nguyen is at freshman at the University of Utah. His
dream is to expand the development of the aviation field and to graduate with a
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. This scholarship is sponsored by
Capital Trading.
Pang Prounh is a freshman at the Salt Lake Community
College. Her goal is to be the
first Cambodian woman dentist in Salt Lake City. This scholarship is sponsored
by First Utah Bank.
Karen Quach is
a senior in high school and a sophomore in college. She is currently on track for getting her Associate’s Degree
in General Studies at Itineris Early College High School and Salt Lake
Community College.
Alec Lam
started his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah when he was 15. He
has been published in two separate scientific papers: one where he investigated
the long-term health effects of high fructose corn syrup and the other where he
did a further investigation of failed pharmaceuticals. This scholarship is
sponsored by J.J. Wong.
Dharani Adhikari is a junior at Salt Lake Community College
and is planning to transfer to the University of Utah in the fall. He is directly involved with the
Bhutanese Community in Utah (BCA) as a founder member.
Andrea Soleta
is an International student from the Philippines. She finished her Associate of Science in General Studies at
LDS Business College. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Political Science at Brigham Young University.
Congratulations to all our awardees. You all are an
inspiration!
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| Ailine's Touch of Polynesia |
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| Joseph Buenaflor from the Filipino community singing the National Anthem |
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| The Katutubo Phlippine Dance Ensemble |
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