2010 Merit Scholarships
by Adrienne Fong
The 53rd Annual Merit Scholarship Award luncheon ceremony was held on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Silver Dragon Restaurant. What a wonderful afternoon meeting the scholarship recipients and their proud parents and families. As we enjoyed the delicious lunch, there were constant conversations, smiles and laugher at each of the ten tables. We had over 100 attend the award luncheon. Our President, Roland Hui welcomed everyone. Our guest speaker was Ben Fong-Torres. Ben is a local celebrity. He was raised in Oakland Chinatown. He is a journalist, author and broadcaster. Since 1997, he has co-anchored KTVU-TV’s coverage of the San Francisco Chinese New Year’s Parade. In his message to the young adults, he wanted them to know it was okay to follow your dreams. His life experience is on-going, as he continues to be active in the entertainment field as an interviewer, a writer, a radio columnist and a broadcaster.
The selection of the scholarship winners was no easy task. With the top scholarship of $2500, we received a record number of applications – 70. The students were required to submit a 2-page application listing their scholastic achievements, extracurricular activities, employment, and community service. They also had to submit their high school transcript, SAT test scores, a letter of recommendation and a 500-word essay.
What a response from our members when we asked for suggested essay topics. We had over 14 topics submitted. The essay topic select came from Jennifer Chin. The students wrote a 500-word essay on:
If you could volunteer for any non-profit organization, what organization would you choose. Why did you choose that organization and what experiences and skills would you contribute.
$2500 Scholarship
Richard & Doris Wong Lee Scholarship, presented by Dr. Richard Lee
Steven Lam, Ygnacio Valley High School, University of California, Los Angeles, Psychology
$1000 Scholarships
Joseph S. Lee Scholarship, presented by Dr. Janet Lee
Ryan Fong, Arroyo High School, University of Southern California, Electrical Engineering
Dr. Allan Nunn Scholarship, presented by Richard Fong
Jonathan Lin, Alameda High School, Washington University in St Louis, Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Joshua Fong Scholarship – presented by Lena Fong
Joel Fong, Castro Valley High School, University of California, Irvine, Biology
Susie Oi Young Yip Scholarship – presented by Loretta Siu
Heather Tom, Arroyo High School, University of California, Santa Cruz, Undecided
Victor & Bessie Mar Scholarship – presented by Victor Mar
Tiffany Huynh, Oakland High School. University of California, Davis, Undecided
Al & Becky Wong Scholarship – presented by Al Wong
Jenay Ross, John Swett High School, University of Southern California, Journalism
Freeman and Mary Chan Scholarship – presented by Donna Chan Chu
Olivia Chang, Arroyo High School , University of Pennsylania, Economics
Nancy J. Lee Scholarship – presented by Barbara Hing
Linda Lau, Alameda Science & Technology Institute, University of Los Angeles, Communications
Sidney Fong Scholarship – presented by Esther Fong-Maynard
Deborah Gee – Alameda High School, University of California, Santa Barbara, Undeclared
Gordon & Mary Lee Scholarship – presented by Mary Lee
Elaine Truong, Head-Royce School, Barnard College, Applied Mathematics
Lena Fong Scholarship – presented by Stephen Woo
Julie Liang, El Cerrito High School, University of California, Berkeley, Chemical Engineering
May Jan Mew Scholarship – presented by Arnold Mew
Yenny Wang, Castro Valley High School, University of California, Los Angeles, Biochemistry
Homer Lee Scholarship
Jacob Hernandez, Pinole Valley High School, University of California, Davis, Business
Our scholarships are funded by generous donations from Wa Sung members and friends, and from the annual fund-raising events – Easter Pancake Breakfast, Crab Feed and the Merit Award Golf Tournament.
Back row, from left:
Jonathan Lin, Olivia Chang, Steven Lam, Deborah Gee, Ryan Fong, Joel Fong
Front row:
Ben Fong-Torres, Julie Liang, Tiffany Huynh, Elaine Truong, Heather Tom, Yenny Wang, Linda Lau, Adrienne Fong, Roland Hui.