'YOUTH WHO EXCEL' HONOREES

ARNE DUNCAN
CEO, Chicago Public Schools
 

NOTE:
·         CEO, Arne Duncan is scheduled to present the “Youth Who Excel” Awards to Asian American honorees.

    The Coalition announces that the following ten people have been named 2006 ‘Youth Who Excel’ Award Recipients:

BANGLADESHI AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

Mr. Sami Shah Alam, a resident of Skokie, Illinois, is a junior at Niles North High School. Sami is a courteous and responsible young man who is respected by his peers and faculty alike at Niles North. He has earned the cumulative grade point average that fulfills the requirement for recognition of Junior Honor Roll at his high school. According to the Bangladesh Association of Greater Chicagoland, Sami is an outstanding young man who is dedicated to working for his community. He has proven to be a valuable resource to the Bangladeshi community of Chicago through his extensive volunteer work with the community organization. Over the past six years, Sami has worked as a volunteer at the association’s National Day Celebrations, National Parades, Health Fairs, and various religious activities. Since childhood, Sami’s compassion and commitment have inspired him to help others.

CHINESE AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

Ms. Xianting Chen is a freshman at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, majoring in education. She came to Chicago in 2001 and was an honor student at Thomas Kelly High School. Chen has participated actively in both school and community service programs. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the WIA Youth Program of the Chinese American Service League, dedicating her time as a volunteer teaching assistant to children and a helper of the elderly. From February 2003 to the present, she has been actively involved in the National Youth Conference as an organizer and presenter, working on planning, registration, and performance. In addition, Chen has been president of the Piano Club since October 2002, taking part in the Chicago Public Schools’ Solo Piano Competition and directing club members in performances at social events at high schools and elementary schools.  

FILIPINO AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

Ms. Kimberly Hope Chua, a resident of Lincolnwood, Illinois, is an honor student at Niles West High School. A senior, Kim was recently inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS). Kim has a grade point average of 3.84. Inductees are selected on the basis of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. NHS performs various services for the school and the community throughout the year. She was exposed to community service early on, joining her aunt and cousins on visits to nursing homes to serve refreshments and entertain elderly residents as part of Lions Club activities. Kim also helped collect clothing, non-perishable food, medicine, medical equipment, and supplies for the dental and medical mission to the Philippines, February 7-11, 2005. The mission served over 2,000 patients. She recently joined a “Cotillion” as part of a fundraising drive for educational scholarships that will help deserving but needy students in the Philippines.

INDIAN AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

Ms. Tanvi Arora, a senior at Neuqua Valley High School, is a leader of the Multicultural Club at her school. She has actively participated in her school’s dance and sport activities, representing her school for tennis and badminton. Tanvi has volunteered to serve free Thanksgiving dinners to the needy in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago for several years. The annual Thanksgiving Dinner has been sponsored by the Alliance of Midwest India Associations since 1987. Ms. Arora is also a volunteer at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (Lemont Temple). She has worked at a dental clinic for several months in preparation for college admission. Tanvi teaches dance to boys and girls to prepare them for recital in various social and cultural events. She has won various dance competitions, starting when she was six years old. Her future plan is to become a successful dentist. She wanted to volunteer her services to villages in India once a year. 

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INDONESIAN AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

Ms. Katrina Marie Tulas, a resident of Chicago, Illinois, is an honor student at Gordon Tech High School and is in her junior year. At her school, Katrina is captain of the Dance Team, President of the National Honor Society, and active in the Indonesian Cultural Dance Troupe. In the community, she participates in St. Viator Church’s night ministry for the homeless, tutors students who are struggling with their course work, and takes a leading role in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s annual ministry leadership conference. In addition, she is the first woman president of any club at Gordon Tech High School and was on the first girls’ varsity volleyball team at her high school. Not withstanding her many extra-curriculum and community volunteer activities, Katrina has been on her school’s Honor Roll for five semesters straight. As a result, she received the Presidential Achievement Award for academic excellence.

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JAPANESE AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

Mr. Brandon Robert Mita, a resident of Skokie, Illinois, is an honor student in his senior year at the University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in political science. For the 2005-2006 academic year, Brandon serves as chair for the Asian American Coalition Committee in their continued efforts to establish an Asian American Studies Program at the university. In addition to his school activities, Brandon is exceptionally active within the Japanese American community and its local organizations. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), a chapter of the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States. Brandon serves as the Youth Committee Chair and has begun the process of reviving JACL’s once vigorous Japanese American youth program. Brandon was recently designated to serve as Youth Supervisor for the national JACL Internship Program at JACL’s 2006 National Convention.

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KOREAN AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

Mr. David Hyunbok Lee is a senior at Glenbrook North High School. He is an honor student at his school and a music composer in his hometown of Northbrook, Illinois. From piano lessons at age five to leading the praise group at Calvary Presbyterian Church at the age of thirteen, David’s passion for music has always been manifest. He has played in more than 25 shows, showcasing songs that he wrote himself. He served two years in the Glenbrook North High School choir and another year in the school’s a cappella group “Ow.” His musical path took another turn when hurricane Katrina made its way through the southern states. David’s band performed in September 2005 to raise money for the victims of the hurricane. In November 2005 he played at Soundstage before a crowd of more than 2,000 people to raise funds for Katrina survivors.  

PAKISTANI AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

THAI AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree

Mr. Garn Lertburapa, a resident of Glendale Heights, Illinois, is an honor student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This is his fourth year at the university, where he is majoring in finance and marketing. In addition to studying, he serves as Vice President of the Southeast Asian Student Coalition (SASC). As vice president, his responsibilities are to oversee committees and participate in general and executive meetings. Garn is also an active member of Asian American Students In Alliance (AASIA), participating in cultural activities, volunteer programs, and fundraising for the group. Garn volunteers at the Thai Buddhist Temple, where he helps with various tasks such as looking after the children, and setting up for cultural events.

VIETNAMESE AMERICAN “Youth Who Excel” Honoree