ATG was honored to offer a new Leadership scholarship this year, thanks to benefactor Sunna Lee. The winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship — $1,000 of which will be donated to a 501(c)(3) non-profit of his/her choosing to give back.
We received applications from worthy candidates around the country, all of whom impressed us with their exceptional leadership skills, talent, knowledge, passion, charisma and commitment to make a difference. Candidates were scored based on their GPA, leadership/community involvement, letters of recommendation, presentation and essay that demonstrated his/her ability to change the perception of the Asian American stereotype. The top finalists were selected based on these criteria:
1. Fearless and not influenced by what others say. Stays true to his/her vision and open to learn.
2. Has chosen a medium in which to influence change.
3. Charismatic enough to influence and deliver change.
After interviews, one winner will be selected and announced soon, so stay tuned! We proudly announce the…
2012 ATG Sunna Lee Scholarship Finalists
Cindy Dinh (Houston, TX)
Age: 23
GPA: 3.95
About: Graduate from Rice University (Magna Cum Laude B.A. Sociology; Health Policy Studies) and currently attending Harvard Kennedy School of Government pursuing a Master’s of Public Policy (MPP)
Honors/Community/Leadership Experience highlights: Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship, Harry S. Truman Scholar, Board Member and Student Affairs Liaison (OCA), Volunteer teacher for Huong Vuong Vietnamese language school, External Vice President of Rice University Vietnamese Students Association, Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar, Leadership Rice
On “What makes a good leader?”
“Leadership inevitably happens at the crossroads of opportunity and dilemma. Great leadership adds in the vision, charisma, organization and ability to inspire others.”
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
“Going against the grain is a personal decision. It’s deciding to take initiative and act based on your beliefs and values. The status quo should not be a limiting factor, but the catalyst to changing the world for the better. “
A Haiku for Asian Americans:
Count us in, not out
We need seats at the table
Go against the grain
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
“Through grassroots initiatives and my future career in public policy, I hope to empower the Asian American community and debunk the stereotypes of an apathetic youth, an unprepared woman in politics, or an uncultured second-generation Asian American. I truly believe that bicultural, bilingual individuals are in the best position to connect the immigrant generation to mainstream America and include them into the fabric of our community. With this in mind, I have led groups of high school and college students to increase the dismally low number of voter registration, to inform people about how to register as a bone marrow donor, and to educate individuals on the importance of filling out the Census 2010 and how this affects our community.”
Rebekah Kim (Fullerton, CA)
Age: 27
GPA: 4.0
About: Graduate of Ohio State University (B.A. Korean) and currently attending the University of Southern California pursuing a M.A. in Teaching
Honors/Community/Leadership Experience highlights: United States of America Olympian (Beijing Olympics Games), 2 Time Athlete of the year, OSU Scarlet and Gray Leadership Award, 7 Time USSS All-American Award; Leadership Team at Sarang Community Church, Bay Area Rescue Mission
On “What makes a good leader?”
“Every leader must be raised and taught and must therefore, be teachable…A leader with a teachable heart, regardless f the shortcoming she may have, will in the end bear life lessons which can transform and make great impact on people’s lives…A good leader must know exactly where she is coming from…must know where she is going…is aligned with her passion and goals. She knows where she is effective and where she is not…Furthermore, a good leader knows when and how to say ‘no.’A leader should have a giving and servant-like heart, [but] is not merely a slave to be pushed around…and knows the boundaries of her own and those of others….A good leader never ceases to motivate and encourage others, especially when people are lost without hope. [A leader is ] a seeker of the truth [who] not only accepts herself, but accepts the society she lives in. She holds true to what is right and just in her own heart through her actions, as well as her actions in life. Therefore, it can never be the title, rank or position that makes a good leader, but rather the character of the person that does.”
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
“A person ‘going against the grain’ is not only a trailblazer, but is also someone who dares to thrive on unfamiliar grounds. Their drive is passion, empowerment, and a whole lot of “everything is possible” attitude.”
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
“I think I go against the grain by believing in the truth that I’ve been entrusted with certain talents and abilities to dream and to be a part of something that is bigger than myself. I am teaching, equipping and empowering our younger generation to conquer their own dreams and fears – not letting them justify their shortcomings or circumstances – and doing it all so that they can do the same for others. The other week I was invited to a school dance (one of the schools I’ve been speaking at) and I had a fifth grader come up to me and thank me because I helped her overcome her fear of dancing in front of people. It forced me to bust out some of my special moves that I thought were long gone, but it did the trick!”
Jeffrey Sun (Cambridge, MA)
Age: 26
GPA: 3.64
About: Graduate of Yale University (B.A. Political Science) and plans to pursue a MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management
Honors/Community/Leadership Experience highlights: Yale Topol Fellow, National Sigma Chi Leadership Award; Program Associate of One Acre Fund; President of Silliman College Council, Founder of Yale Club Sports Advisory Board, Elected Representative of Yale College Council, Elected Representative of Yale Alumni Association
On “What makes a good leader?”
“A leader must know oneself. Without having an understanding of one’s identity – and being confident in it- one cannot hope to succeed…A good leader must have a vision and goals…A good leader will work for the change he or she wants to see…Good leaders are individuals who draw from their internal strength to motivate themselves to work hard to achieve a vision.”
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
“To me, ‘going against the grain’ means questioning the status quo. It means having the vision to innovate and see the world not for what it is, but for what it could be.”
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
Yvonne Tran (Oakland, CA)
Age: 26
GPA: 3.04
About: plans to pursue a MBA in Design Strategy at California College of the Arts in the Fall
Honors/Community/Leadership Experience highlights: California State Assembly Recognition of Leadership, University Service Award, Cross-Cultural Bridges Award, Senior Co-Excellence Award; Member of ReWrite Collective, Member of Oakland Sisters Collective, Board Member of Californians for Justice, Intern for USAction, Co-Facilitator of Students for a Progressive Asian American Movement
On “What makes a good leader?”
“A strong leader needs to laugh often and at themselves frequently. A capable and accountable leader is important but not sustainable if they do not harbor also compassion. It is a sense of loving kindness for themselves when they make mistakes and for others when they do the same. It is not about excusing poor behavior but also to see it for what it is and moving forward without creating a worse situation. It is the ability to see the connections we all have with each other so that when we lead, we lead from our hearts and not from our ego. Our character is defined by our actions, so we must move in the world as leaders in ways that we would be proud of.”
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
“Going against the grain means being aware that the conventional and the expected never leads to greatness. It is the passion to re-imagine the way we can relate to each other and convey the possibility of another perspective, view, or world that creates impact. That new world is going against the grain of the old, established, and institutional.”
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
“I go against the grain by not only the work I do in the community, but I’ve also learned that how one moves in the world can be just as impactful. I struggle everyday to live true to the selves I’ve discovered within around my politics, my gender, my queerness, the stories I want to tell, and the type of change I want to make in this world. Re-imagining the communities we live and work in and cultivating vision to follow through with it is the ultimate symbol of going against the grain.”
For more information on the ATG Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship, visit the Scholarship Page.
