Emily Chan
Technology has the power to connect us, but then why is there an alarming trend ofâŚ
Legacy Program
Asian American Youth Program
A youth initiative supporting Asian American adolescents navigating the intersection of two cultures — turning experiences of diversity and adversity into strengths.
The Youth Ambassadors Scholarship
Five Years of Essays
Each year AAYP put a single question to Asian American students and asked them to answer it in their own words. 28 students were recognized between 2015 and 2019, and every winning essay is here in full.
The Winners
2019
6 winners
The prompt
Most people would agree that our world is confronted with a multitude of problems. Choose a universal problem and offer solutions for its remedy.
Katherine Chen
Our world is anything but perfect. Every day we are surrounded by many serious issuesâŚ.
Shannon Li
As a queer woman of color, bringing light to the LGBT community and fighting forâŚ
Maisha Maliha
If I ask you to close your eyes and imagine a superhero flying around the skyâŚ
Meril Mousoom
I scurry out from my bedroom, eyes down low. If Iâm quick, they wonât catch meâŚ
Gabriel Radu
I vividly remember the time I overnighted in the on-call room, pretending I was aâŚ
2018
6 winners
The prompt
All cultures that immigrated to the United States have contributed to the mosaic of American Culture. What unique contributions can you, as an Asian American, contribute to our modern American society?
Alexandria Ang
Blonde radiant hair. Eyes as blue as a cerulean sea. Fair skin with a pretty faceâŚ
Katherine Hui
My grandfather has calluses on his fingertips where his youth used to be, under nailsâŚ
Elaine Lau
ABC is an acronym I identify with. No, Iâm not a part of the television broadcastingâŚ
Matthew Miyasaka
I had my first existential crisis in middle school, partially because of my realizationâŚ
Alexander Radu
It was Chinese school on Saturday mornings, followed by an afternoon ofâŚ
Angel Zheng
The first thing I think of when I am asked to tell my immigration history is myâŚ
2017
6 winners
The prompt
What differentiates you from others as a great leader? OR What does it mean to become a leader?
Sherry Chen
Making my way through the narrow and crowded hallways on the way to EnglishâŚ
Evelyn Choong
Mulan is a unique and popular Asian figure to people of all ages. In the movie, sheâŚ
Madison Li
What does it mean to become a leader? No, really- what does it truly mean to becomeâŚ
Garhay Mei
Garhay Hedy Mei. Thatâs me. Not Gary, not Garfield, not Garbage â my name isâŚ
Xiaolin (Lynn) Rong
What is a leader? This is a question all students strive to find an answer toâŚ
Onsang Yau
In that afternoon, with the dimming dusk lingering its final beam of light throughâŚ
2016
6 winners
The prompt
As a member of the Asian American community, how can you make a difference in your community?
Hui Xian (Anna) Liu
Labeled as âfresh off the boatâ and surrounded by family who speaks ChineseâŚ
Adam Lu
The pungent marijuana odor in the projects nauseated me. The occasional midnightâŚ
Nistha Bade Shrestha
âAre you alright?â your mother shouts from outside. âYes!â you stammer, staring downâŚ
Kitri Sundaram
In the United States, if you are arrested and cannot afford a lawyer one will be providedâŚ
Queenie Tang
When Iâm asked where I am from, I always hesitate to answer. Iâm never sure of whatâŚ
Sophia Zhao
âWhatâs your name?â my new friend asked me. There was a grin on his faceâŚ
2015
4 winners
The prompt
What are the challenges of being Asian American?
Nancy Cao
Sometimes I think I want a nice, thick slice of pepperoni pizza oozing with cheeseâŚ
Kristin Hon
Every Saturday morning, my grandmother took her prayer beads, beautiful woodenâŚ
Angela Ma Lentini
My name is Angela Ma Lentini.
Yue Sunny Zhao
I remember daily walks in a big park, a crowded red train car, serene templesâŚ
The work continues.
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