Following our support of orphanages in Asia, ATG also provides scholarships here at home to ten young Asian American adoptees each year to attend culture camps such as Catalyst Foundation’s Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families and Vietnamese Heritage Camp. Last year, we raised $1,000, allowing ten youths to spend a few days in the summer connecting with their heritage, bonding with new friends and participating in enriching activities for this year’s Heritage and Culture Camps. Announcing our 2015 Winners!
Shane Milkowski, 7
NY Catalyst
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
To me (Shane) going against the grain means being who you are. For example, being tall does not make you better! I am one of the shortest people in my class. but I am also one of the most athletic.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
I am really good at soccer and basketball. I made a basketball shot backwards from half court and I swished it, which means it did not touch the backboard or the rim! Going against the grain means that you don’t have to be a certain size to play sports or do anything, You just have to believe in yourself!
Clara Connolly
VHC
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
Going against the grain is doing my own thing, even if it’s different from others.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
What I do to do that is dress in shorts and t shirts, play hard at soccer, and take a bath once a month.
Francesca Bianchi
VHC
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
To me “Against the grain” means becoming your own unique individual. I think in today’s world so many people in general become sucked into the electronic age that our personalities are lost because we have so many influences from things such as social media. If I could define “Against the grain” for myself it would be: forming my own personality on what I enjoy, thinking for myself, not caring of what others think, and making my own path instead of following everybody else on the main road. Nobody knows what is to come in the future but one positive thought can change everything.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
I think I go against the grain by being Vietnamese. Being Vietnamese makes me unique and different in a good way. I have a new and interesting culture that I can share with others and it sets me apart from that stereotypical “white girl” that everybody puts, us, teenage girls in. Another thing that I feel makes me unique is being an adoptee. My adoption is part of me and my story so it is a very important part of me that I enjoy sharing with others. I also go “against the grain” with my food preferences. I am a pescaterian and the only meat I eat is fish. This isn’t uncommon for many Vietnamese and I think this is also part of my individualism since most Americans are meat eaters. I am also a dancer, gymnast, musician, and singer. I have a sweet spot for the arts and I think this is going “against the grain” because many girls my age either do soccer, tennis, and other sports with balls or don’t have an interest in anything at all. Going “against the grain” is easier than people think. Simply making your own choices instead of agreeing with everyone else is definitely going “against the grain”.
Anh Pinson
VHC
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
Against the grain means doing something that otherpeople don’t do.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
I go against the grain because I like it when people call me weird and a nerd. I also like to wear the color pink and purple, even though other people think it is a girl color.
Eric Biddulph
VHC
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
To act Against the Grain means to act to promote inclusion and acceptance despite expectations and conformity. This includes raising public awareness, thinking outside the box, and being a leader. Actions such as these create a welcoming community regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other identities. Acting ‘Against the Grain,’ averse to instinctive, thoughtless exclusion, fosters inclusion and human equality.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
One of the ways I go Against the Grain is through my action and leadership advocacy for gender and sexuality equality. I have been active in my school’s sexuality equality campaign since 5th grade. Moving into high school, I joined the G.S.A., Gender-Sexuality Alliance, took part in the annual Day-of-Silence to promote the awareness of closeted non-heterosexuals, and openly distributed information and contacts for the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention hotline for queer-identifying adolescents. And starting next year, as the president of the G.S.A., I plan to launch an anti-hate campaign in early October not only aimed at the elimination of student bullying, but also aimed at the preparation of teachers to better deal with homophobia and hetero-normality in the classroom.
I believe my advocacy and support for the LGBTQ+ community are Against the Grain because my actions promote human equality and the acceptance of individuality.
Lila Wayne, 7
MN Catalyst
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
Against the Grain means doing what you think is right and believe in even if it’s not the same as what most other people are doing. It means making your own decisions.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
If people are being mean to someone I help them and be their friend.
Wyatt Breeden, 8
MN Catalyst
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
We are a unique family that goes against the grain. That means that we aren’t scared to be different. My sister Teagen has lots of spots or birthmarks. She was born in China. My brother Isaac has autism. He can’t talk well and things are hard for him. He goes to a special school.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
I was born in Vietnam. I have black hair and tan skin. No one in my class looks like me. When people make fun of my sister and brother, it makes me feel sad. I love them no matter what. I am proud that we are all different!
Jessie Thomas
VHC
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
Being separate
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
Being nice to someone even if they aren’t being nice back.
Rian Thomas
VHC
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
Going a different way.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
By doing the right thing. If my friends’ are doing something I feel is wrong, I won’t do it.
Luc Surwillo (lower right)
VHC
What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to me?
To me, going with the grain means being part of the mainstream. Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with the mainstream but sometimes the ideas of the mainstream are set by a small or popular group and it’s not ok to follow them without thinking for yourself. Going against the grain means making one’s own decisions but still keeping everyone’s feelings in mind.
How do I go ‘Against The Grain’?
I don’t let the popular trends influence me. I stay true to a small group of friends I really know and really trust. I make my own decisions – I weigh the “pro’s” and “con’s” for decisions and I consider my personal morals and the impact of my actions on others.
