Monday evening in the Yawkey Athletic Center, the Office of AHANA Student Programs hosted the Asian-American Scholarship Banquet, a night honoring five outstanding students who have demonstrated both academic achievement as well as continual service both to the Asian-American and wider communities.
The evening's event honored Jane Lee, A&S '08, Rafael Quizon; A&S '08; Danielle A. Cardona, A&S '08; and Joanne Wu; LSOE '08. The recipient of the scholarship was Kuong Ly, A&S '08, who is currently studying abroad, leaving his friend Chen Lim, A&S '07, to receive the award from University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., and speak on his behalf.
Established in 1995, the scholarship provides partial tuition for senior year to juniors who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting Asian-American awareness, maintained impressive academic standings, and served Boston College and other communities.
In order to qualify for the scholarship, students must adhere to four requirements.
First, they must be full-time BC juniors. Secondly, applicants need to be citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States.
In addition, there is an academic requirement enforcing a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3. And finally, what often makes the difference between applicants and nominees is the requirement stating that students must be "active in community service to the Asian-American and wider communities on and/or off campus." Each finalist fulfilled this in their own unique way.
"On campus, I do a lot through the Korean Students Association, which I will be the president of next year," explained Lee. "For example, we volunteer at Rosie's Place, Wide Horizons Culture Camp, and Hamilton Olympics."
Many students, like Lee, began their involvement early.
"My freshman year, I got involved with the Philippine Intercollegiate Network Dialogue, which encompasses all the Philippine cultural clubs in New England, where I served as the national director and co-chair. In addition, I'm a member of SEASA," said Cordona.
"On campus, I've been an active member in the Philippine Society of BC and other culture clubs," added Quizon. "I'm also on the Executive Board of SEASA. In the greater Boston area, I've volunteered in the St. Francis House and at service programs through PSBC."
Two alumni who were scholarship recipients in the past also spoke, including Annie Le, LSOE '07, last year's recipient who discussed her experience and what the scholarship means to her.
A topic of discussion and debate on Monday evening centered around the fact that the Asian- American Scholarship is one of the few scholarships on campus yet to be named after an influential individual.
One of the names that came up as a possible candidate was Yuri Kochiyama, a civil rights activist who worked closely with Malcolm X. Other names included Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Maxine Hong Kingston, and Carlos Bullosa. After a dinner consisting of dumplings, Curry chicken, and chocolate cake, everyone involved left in high spirits.
"For me personally, being made a finalist is an honor and it's so encouraging. The award itself sets a bar of excellence for people in the Asian Pacific American community to strive for," said Lee.
"This year, everybody deserved to win. Definitely felt good to be nominated; I've wanted to do this since my sophomore year," said Cordona. n
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