Eric, Kirstie, Doris, and Carolyn
Nervous, excited, impatient, unwillingness, just some of the emotions going through the heads of the different students for the first time as they walk in the Asian Resource Center, located in Chinatown. With the students coming from all of Western Washington, from the Eastside of Mercer Island and Bellevue, to the Westside of West Seattle, to the North end of Ballard to Shoreline, to the South end of Renton, Rainier Beach and even down to Olympia, along with people in the heart of Seattle, a diverse group arrive to the start of the Northwest Asian Weekly’s, Summer Youth Leadership Program. A program filled with activities, important guest speakers, different workshops and food make it a unique experience for these Asian American students.
One of the most important benefits gained from this program is the activities provided. No one expected that in the short three weeks the students are able to do this much activities. Each of these activities had their own purposes, not just some futile works to kill time. As students, they were delighted to obtain from the works of the others; as Asian Americans, they were shocked to realize the inequalities and discrimination which people had encountered previously. From the games the students played and projects they accomplished, they learn how to achieve as a group. Along with the field trips, they exposed themselves into different fields of careers. Last but not least, the journals let them reflect what they gained, learned, or felt during the day. As time went on, the students began to change their view toward these activities that they participated in enthusiastically.
Activities in the program also include listening and interacting with prominent guess speakers n the community. From the Cambodian rap group The 2nd Language to a panel comprised of Microsoft staff members; the students are enlightened by the impact of different minority role models in the fields of art, technology, and politics. The coordinators, volunteers, and students decided to join this program for various reasons. Whether their parents forced them to or they had nothing to do in the summer, the experiences is valuable and unforgettable. “I joined the program because I wanted to get out during the summer, meet new people, and grab opportunities to grab more leadership skills and meet famous people,” says Jocelyn Lam, a student in the 2005 SYLP program. Volunteer Garrett Zhang, a graduate from the program in 2004 adds, “The reasons why I wanted to volunteer are food, friends, and fun because I want to lead people and help them to become a leader.” Everyone emerges and changes so that each person acquires different qualities: new friends, an opportunity to voice their opinions, and leadership skills.
The students also gain a clearer sense of leadership along with diversity which are emphasized in the program. The students learn from various speakers and workshops that diversity is essential because it strengthens the society to become better as awhile. Leaders are also crucial to the people because they help the community become unified. They need to be sensible and open minded to the groups that are not as strong in the community, but also consider the majority and make decisions that benefit the whole group. When discriminated against, they are not to be discouraged but prove themselves by being consistent and persistent in all that they do. The program is helping students to become leaders and help them to be aware of the significance of diversity so we could profit the society and give a stronger voice to the Asian community.
With the many experiences encountered by the students, each and everyone of them have different impact to each of them. The program is a good and unique one in which these students are able to interact with their diverse community. Their feelings end up changing in the end and they have an unforgettable three weeks with new friends, experiences, and memories never to be forgotten.
