[中文版本]

Question: Can you tell us your main top three priorities?

Answer: So the top priorities are to make sure we spend our money wisely. We have a lot of programs that need our help. We have Darnstown Elementary for the autism program, and we have a lot of reading literacy to catch up on, so Hispanic-based schools may need additional help in order to read, so we want to make sure that programs are prioritized. Number two, no drugs, no vaping in our schools. Number three, our teachers need to be trained so they can continue to grow and then make sure that they can teach us better. So those are my three priorities.

Question: How fast do you plan on achieving these goals when you're on the board?

Answer: It will take some time for teachers to be trained and teach. It might take a year or two for them to take additional certifications. What I would like to see is no drugs immediately. So those are out fast! I would like to bring in Safety Resource Officers or School Resource Officers back in to make sure there are no drugs and no vaping. And the first part, that's going to take longer for us to make sure we have programs that are funded correcltly. We will have to do some audits and then find out where the money is being spent.

Question: As a new candidate for the BOE, what kind of legacy do you plan on leaving when you leave the BOE?

Answer: My kids are in the school system as well. They're in elementary going to middle school I want them to be prepared when they are about to go to high school and graduate, I want them to be prepared to come out to have a job or go to college. Right now, it depends on individual hard work, and some people may not have the background or family background that can get them there. I'm going to help to bridge that gap. 

By

Felix Hou 翻译 (Translation) 2024-05-14

[中文版本]

On October 13th, 2023, the Gold Lantern Awards were held at the Kennedy Center, honoring notable Chinese Americans. Among those honored included Bel Leong-Hong, the founder, president, and CEO of Knowledge Advantage Inc, who has a career in the federal government spanning three decades. 

Bel cites her reason for advancing into high level positions in the federal government as wanting to pave the way for future generations’ prosperity and success in the industry. “When I started work, here in the United States…and I didn’t see too many people like me, that could show me the way. And when I got to the Department of Defense… I didn’t see too many people like me in senior positions. That’s when I decided I needed to do something,” Bel commented. When asked about her goals, she said, “It is my life’s passion to make sure that the next generation and the generation after that continue to flourish in this country.” She wanted “to make sure that [future] generations can have role models, and they [can] have ways to go up.”

Bel’s company Knowledge Advantage Inc was created in 1999 to solve the knowledge management challenges facing commercial and government decision-makers. As KAI approaches the midpoint of its third decade, Bel provided insights on where the company will continue to expand in the future. Bel believes KAI will expand into knowledge management and start working with data analytics. “More importantly, I also have a very strong component of growing leadership, and that’s where I’ve been focusing a lot on,” she adds. 

Bel has served as the elected Chair of the Democratic National Council and organized AAPI communities across the country since 2005 to increase AAPI awareness and opportunities. She believes the best way for the AAPI community to become more involved in the political process and be empowered is simply “to step up, be involved, and help each other.” She ended the interview by stating “If you help each other, then you can succeed.” CAPA JRC was very grateful to Bel Leong-Hong for allowing the JRC to interview her. The JRC looks forward to what Bel will accomplish in the future.

By

戴焱 翻译 (Translation) 2024-02-29

[中文版本]

On October 13th, 2023, the Gold Lantern Awards were held at the Kennedy Center, honoring notable Chinese Americans. Among those honored included Yue-Sai Kan, a Chinese-American television host, producer, author, entrepreneur, and humanitarian. She is known for her work in bridging the gap between the East and the West, introducing China to the United States.

At the awards ceremony, JRC members met Ms. Kan and arranged an interview. Although she is already in her 70s, we found that she does not appear as elderly as we had imagined. She wore a vibrant orange top, high-heeled shoes, and wore neatly crafted makeup. During our conversation, she maintained an elegant demeanor, appearing truly youthful.

Ms. Kan noted that many Chinese values in her upbringing have guided her through her career: “Our parents have very special values, for example, the respect for elders, working really hard, saving money, being kind to people, and being close to family. Especially, respect for other people, because if you think about it, the Chinese are very peaceful people. Right now a lot of people think the Chinese are scary because they might go to war, but the Chinese are not conquerors. The most important street in Beijing is called “Eternal Peace”, so in other words, that is their wish. Our job is to let more people know who we are.” 

“Looking East” was the first TV series to introduce Chinese culture to America. Yue-Sai Kan explains, “The main reason I shot the series was because no one had done it before. If no one has done it before, then you should do it.” She has shot thousands of shows and movies over the years, and she shares some of her proudest moments: “I loved interviewing Mother Teresa; I interviewed her in Rome. There was a show I did called “Doing Business in Asia”, where I featured four countries in Asia. That was the longest selling videotapes, it was selling for years and years and years. A specific TV documentary I am proud of is ‘Journey through a Changing China’. It is a program about the changes that happened in 1988/1989, when China was just opening. It was a really exciting time. We aired it all over the country, sponsored by American Express, and the next morning I got a phone call from Senator Inouye, who was the senior senator. That program was put into the Congressional Record. Out of thousands of programs, that was the one put into the Congressional Record, so I am rather proud of that one.”

Aside from producing programs and TV series, Yue-Sai Kan has also started a cosmetics brand, which has since been sold to L’oreal. She says, “I don’t run it anymore, but it was the first cosmetics brand ever produced for Asian women. It uses a lot of Chinese herbs in the makeup. A lot of American women use cosmetics, but not a lot of Chinese use cosmetics, so I knew it was a potential market for China. The idea really isn’t about lipsticks or eyeshadows, the idea is that if you can change the way you look, you can do anything.”

Although our JRC junior reporters haven't seen the influential television programs Yue-Sai Kan produced back in the day, through this interview, we learned about her contributions for the improvement of relations between China and America. Her efforts and life experiences are truly inspiring. At the end of the interview, she shared some advice: "Everybody makes different impacts. I happened to make that kind of impact because the time was important. Now it is a little different. For Chinese Americans, I think because the relationship between China and the US is so bad, there is an opportunity to tell the Chinese story.”

By

贾盈盈 翻译 (Translation) 2024-02-29

[中文版本]

Question: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Response: I'm Shebra Evans. I currently serve on the school board. I am coming to the end of my second term running for reelection. I have one daughter who graduated from Montgomery County Public Schools, one is currently in the school system. And this is a great public school system and I want to continue to do the work, making sure there are more access and opportunities for our students to reach their full potential. So just really looking forward to the conversation tonight and hearing what you all like about our school system and where you think some improvements can happen.

Question: Can you give us a summary of your main top goals of what you are trying to achieve?

Response:  Sure. I am very much interested in making certain that every student [from] very early on has access to their learning, so I'm big on pre -K and expanding that. I would like to eventually make it a universal pre -K, so that's free to everybody, no matter what your income is. I also want to make certain that we can do more in the area of academics, creating more programs for our students. It doesn't matter where you live, what color your skin, your gender, like. I want you to be able to have those opportunities. I think it's important that we continue to have highly qualified teachers and educators in our school system, and I think it's important for there to be a lot of diversity. I think it's important that students see themselves up in front of the classroom and leadership roles so that they can see what they can become and what they can achieve. I want to level the playing field for students so that we're not creating opportunities where one area of the county or particular student group benefits more than another student group.

Question: As a previous board member, what do you think distinguishes you from new upcoming candidates?

Response: Most of my experience and my track record. So not only do I do work at the local level, I'm involved at the state level as well. I'm currently the treasurer for the Maryland State Association of Boards of Education.

I've been able to travel and go to national school board conferences where I can see and hear from other people what their best practices are and what I'm able to see and hear. The Montgomery County is really great.

A lot of things that other schools are trying to do, we're already doing it. So this is a good school system. I have two kids that really help inform my work. So as you all are going through experience, my kids are going through it too.

And I use them as guides when I make decisions.  That outcome impacts not only them but their classmates and kids across the county.  I have relationships developed at local, state level and federal level with our elected officials and they've been very supportive of the work that I've been able to do. And I've been able to see that achievements in the works that I have been doing for years. 

Question: What type of long-lasting Legacy do you want to leave on MCPS?

Response: You know what I want people to remember me as a collaborator, someone who listened to them, someone that they felt like they could approach to talk to you and share their experiences and then feel like what they told me maybe they are going to see that in fields of work, see a difference and make a difference.  That's a good question!  I just want people to know that who you see and the work that I do and I'm very committed. I enjoy doing it.  This is a part-time job. We make $35,000 a year, I don't do it for the money. I hope that I've impacted one student, one family member. I have been able to create a policy where it tackled our lunch problem. I was really concerned and wanted to ensure that we gave a lot of different meal options. I hope people will know all those things about me.

By

蒋晨煜 翻译 (Translation) 2024-05-14

[中文版本]

On October 13th, 2023, the Gold Lantern Awards were held at the Kennedy Center, honoring notable Chinese Americans. Among those honored included Chinese pianist Liu Hao. Hao was born prematurely in 2001 and lost his sight after excessive oxygen treatment at birth. However, his mother has dedicated herself to helping her son learn the piano after Hao displayed his talent at a young age.

“At the start, there were few pieces of sheet music for blind pianists,” Hao said, “My mother would translate music for me. She was very hard working.” Hao started playing piano at seven, and practiced often in China. He immigrated last year to the United States. “After coming here, I found that resources are abundant, and I can mostly self-study,” Hao said. “I can download sheet music online and learn by myself.”

Hao appreciates the feelings that playing piano brings. “I feel happy and relaxed when I play,” Hao said. “I really love music and hope others enjoy piano as well, as it is a very good way to relieve stress.” At just 22, Hao has already performed together with esteemed pianist Lang Lang, won numerous prestigious piano competitions, and starred in the movie "A Piano-Playing Blind Boy,” portraying himself.

At the Gold Lantern Awards award ceremony, Liu Hao was part of the program, playing a stirring piece alongside Wushu, dance, and chorus performances as many ambassadors, politicians, and celebrities watched.  Hao explained that he loves piano and hopes those who enjoy it as well will persevere. “You just need to believe in yourself, and persevere,” Hao said. “Practicing a lot is how you get better.”

By

王瑞思 沈安琪 翻译 (Translation) 2024-02-29

[中文版本]

On October 13th, JRC junior reporters attended the "Gold Lantern Awards". There, we met outstanding Chinese Americans, including community leaders and other well-known figures. Not only did we interview award recipients, but by representing junior reporters and attending the event, we were also interviewed by other journalists. It was a memorable and meaningful experience.

The "Gold Lantern Awards: Night of Inspirational Brilliance," aimed at recognizing outstanding contributions by Chinese-Americans, took place in the capital of the United States, Washington D.C., in 2023. Figures from Chinese communities in politics, business, technology, arts, education, and more gathered at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

President Biden sent a congratulatory message to the awards ceremony, applauding the outstanding awardees and expressing gratitude for the remarkable contributions of the Chinese-American community to American society. He acknowledged that the spirit of the Chinese diaspora is an inseparable part of the American spirit, of which he is proud and grateful. Congratulations also came from the Mayor of Washington D.C., among others. 

The "Gold Lantern Awards" were established in 2021 and are organized by the Washington D.C. Chinese American Museum. The award aims to recognize outstanding achievements, leadership, and significant contributions to the Chinese-American community and American society as a whole. Jenny Liu, Deputy Director of the Washington D.C. Chinese American Museum, said, "The lantern is a symbol of Chinese culture. The gold lantern symbolizes not only the outstanding achievements of the Chinese community but also the contributions they have made to the community and American society."

Chinese-American author Tang Tingting, TV host Jin Yuxi, forensic scientist and criminal forensic expert Li Changyu received the "Gold Lantern Lifetime Achievement Award." Bel Leong-Hong, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and advocate for Asian American communities; community leaders Larry La, Paul Li, Stephany Yu, among others, received the "Community Service Award"; and student hero Peter Wang received the "Youth Leadership Award."

The hosts shared inspiring stories behind the awardees and featured captivating artistic performances. Guests at the event listened attentively to the deeply moving stories and enjoyed culturally rich performances with Chinese characteristics. The event was not only a celebration of Chinese-American achievements but also a recognition of the contributions of the entire Chinese-American community to American society.

After the awards ceremony, the Washington D.C. Chinese American Museum prepared exquisite "Gold Lantern" souvenirs for each attending guest, allowing the light of the gold lantern to shine into the hearts of everyone present.

By

贾盈盈 孙嘉融 沈安琪 戴焱 王瑞思 翻译 (Translation) 2024-02-29

[中文版本]

———With the primaries imminent, seven candidates for the Montgomery County Board of Education shared their campaign philosophies at Thomas Wootton High School to garner support from the Chinese community.

May 14, 2024, is the primary election day in Maryland. The election for the Board of Education, the responsible leadership and supervisory body for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system, is in full swing. Children's education and the quality of public schools have always been top concerns for Chinese parents, who have high expectations and demands for local education. The candidates for the Montgomery County Board of Education pay great attention to the increasingly populous and socially active Chinese community. On the evening of May 4, at the Thomas Wootton High School cafeteria, seven candidates for the Board of Education participated in a forum hosted by the Montgomery County Chinese Parents Association, Wootton PTSA, Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Calvin Li Foundation, and Chinese American Parent-Student Association. The candidates addressed issues of concern to Chinese parents and students, outlined their campaign philosophies, and sought support from the Chinese community.

The candidates, including Lynne Harris and Rita Montoya (At-Large), Brenda Diaz, Ricky Fai Mui, and Matalie Zimmerman (District 2), Shebra Evans, and Laura Stewart (District 4), attended the forum. The meeting was moderated by Dingmei Zhou, co-founder and former president of the Montgomery County Chinese Parents Association, who posed questions to the candidates on behalf of Chinese parents. The Chinese parents actively participated, listening attentively to the candidates' campaign philosophies and submitting questions to the candidates on paper slips.

Thomas Wootton High School has a high percentage of Chinese students. In recent years, the school has received multiple bomb threats, and its facilities are relatively old. School safety and the repeatedly delayed renovation plans are major concerns for Chinese parents. Lynne Harris, the current incumbent elected in 2020, responded by saying the Board is focused on gradual renovation projects due to legislative and financial barriers to obtaining full renovation funding. However, they are still actively striving for it. Meanwhile, they are enhancing school safety measures, such as installing cameras and conducting quarterly assessments, to ensure effective responses to emergencies.

Rita Montoya, another candidate, said that as a mother who sends her children to school every day, she is most concerned about their safety at school. She believes this is a core issue the Board must ensure and prioritize. She emphasized the need to re-examine existing policies and attract more partners and resources for upgrades rather than waiting for problems to arise before taking action. This would be her top priority if elected.

Brenda Diaz pointed out that Poolesville High School had similar issues in the past but has since resolved them. She noted the safety hazards in Wootton High School's gym, fitness center, and restrooms, which need immediate attention. She would visit the school to understand the situation better and implement effective improvements.

Moderator Dingmei Zhou asked about the inclusiveness and cultural sensitivity of the public school curriculum. She said, "Identity is crucial for the well-being of every child. How do you plan to ensure that the school curriculum includes the history and contributions of Asian Americans and other minorities? Do you agree this impacts the mental health and identity development of Asian American students?" Laura Stewart responded by highlighting her efforts to promote a bill in Annapolis and across the state to reflect our diverse society's history, including Asian Americans. She believes it is essential for every child to learn about their origins and history in their curriculum, which enhances their sense of belonging and effectively combats school bullying.

Shebra Evans stated that she has always believed that finding oneself in the curriculum is a crucial aspect of our diverse society. As a Board member, she has promoted adding identity-related content to textbooks, but much more needs to be done. She and her colleagues will continue their efforts to ensure the perpetuation of multiculturalism in the school system.

Matalie Zimmerman, a teacher, said she shows her students two things in the classroom: a mirror to see themselves and a window to see others' experiences. Empathy can better help understand others. She also noted that only 2% of educators in the U.S. are Asian Americans, and only 1% of administrators are Asian Americans. She encouraged more Asian Americans to participate in education.

Ricky Fai Mui, the only Chinese candidate, whose Chinese name is Mei Ruihui, came from a Chinese immigrant family. He moved to Montgomery County with his family from Atlanta in 2019. He has served at the Naval Academy, holds an MBA, and currently works in senior consulting management at a consulting firm. He has been studying the status of different cultures in mainstream American society and is committed to promoting mutual understanding and inclusion between cultures. He noted that while Chinese Americans have contributed significantly to American society, important traditional holidays such as the Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival are not given due recognition. In the future, he will strive to improve the quality of education in MCPS, eliminate school drugs and violence, and ensure school district safety.

During the two-and-a-half-hour forum, the candidates also addressed common concerns among Chinese parents, such as the insufficient level of gifted programs, campus bullying, discrimination against Asian Americans, and student mental health.

A representative of the Montgomery County Chinese Parents Association stated that the forum was organized to let American society better understand the contributions and demands of the Chinese community and to make their voices heard. Through dialogue with the candidates, they aimed to increase awareness of their campaign platforms and instill confidence in voting for candidates who can best represent the interests of the Chinese community. They hope more people will actively participate in elections and engage in more social activities.

By

蒙郡华人家长会小记者俱乐部 翻译 (Translation) 2024-05-13

[中文版本]

On October 13th, 2023, the Gold Lantern Awards were held at the Kennedy Center, honoring notable Chinese Americans. Among those honored included fifteen year old Peter Wang, who died in a Florida school shooting during his attempts to save his classmates. At the event, the director and scriptwriter, respectively Margaret ShaBi Hong and Elizabeth Wang, of the movie based on his story, titled “See Me Once More, My Dear Kid”, accepted the award on behalf of the brave student. Before the ceremony began, members of Capa JRC sat down with and interviewed Elizabeth Wang. 

“Almost as soon as I heard the news about the shooting, when I was a sophomore in college, it was shocking to me”, Elizabeth commented. She was born and raised in China, where they were not aware of the concept that schools would be so unsafe. It was a heartbreaking reality for her to face, and they knew immediately upon hearing the news that they wanted to write about this heroic story.

The film takes a unique perspective, focusing on Peter Wang’s mother and her grief with losing her son. Elizabeth explained, “There are a lot of news reports and awards given to Peter, but focusing on the broken family and how they gain the strength to continue with their lives is a really empowering perspective to take”. Her goal was for his family and other people around the world to see this empowerment, and find strength to continue on with their own lives, despite tragedies that occur.

The film covers a highly emotional topic, making it an easy assumption that writing about it would be difficult, but Elizabeth actually had a different experience. While writing the script, they had to do research on how many kids would die from school shootings each year, and she argued that this made her want to continue even more, because it made them realize how important it was to spread awareness. However, the most challenging part was during the filming, where many actors and crew would sometimes struggle emotionally with this heavy topic. Elizabeth quickly turns it around and says, “Finding a way to guide the team through their emotional hardships, especially since this was filmed during the pandemic, taught me a lot”. 

Elizabeth recalls a meaningful moment during a screening of the film, where they saw the audience very emotionally touched and felt that the movie brought awareness to teenager safety in school. She adds that while this one movie cannot affect policy, it will help people think about how to make their communities safer and more peaceful. 

Elizabeth Wang and Margaret ShaBi Hong were able to take a tragic event and use it as a tool to provide comfort and spread awareness. “See Me Once More, My Dear Kid” is a truly empowering and inspiring film, and JRC members are grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the behind-the-scenes process. JRC wishes all the best to Elizabeth and ShaBi Hong and we look forward to what they will do in the future!

By

Web Master 翻译 (Translation) 2024-02-29

[中文版本]

Dear Myself,

Happy Thanksgiving!

You might think it's quite selfish to write a gratitude letter to yourself, but I hope you don't feel that way. I'm thrilled to be able to write to myself because the greatest achievements in life are often those we strive for on our own. I appreciate my own growth.

Lately, studies have been keeping me busy, so it's even more important to communicate with family and appreciate their support. I know there are times when my mood isn't at its best, or I'm dealing with too much, but I always maintain a balanced mindset, facing everything with a relaxed attitude. I'm very proud to be able to rise up in times of low spirits, and I appreciate the fighting spirit I have every day.

In this season of gratitude and love, I'm grateful for your diligent studying and sense of responsibility. Just need to be a bit more disciplined, correcting those lazy habits. But that's okay! Everything in life and growth accumulates gradually.

I believe that through my efforts, I will ultimately achieve all my goals and overcome any obstacles! I will forever be your greatest supporter.

Forever loving you!

Yao Jialu

By

姚嘉璐 翻译 (Translation) 2024-01-15

[中文版本]

Every year during Lunar New Year, Zaidao classmates organize a New Year's service event for the Chinese elderly around us. This has become a tradition for us, and we hope to have new ideas for the event each year. In past years, when celebrating the New Year with the elderly, we have made Lunar New Year's care packages/cards for the elderly and organized a Spring Festival performance. This year, Doris Wang and I decided to try something new. During the Lantern Festival, we solved riddles and organized an array of arts and crafts at a senior center.

On February 19th, 2024, Zaidao classmates held the Lantern Festival event at Heritage House. Loneliness is a common issue for the elderly in nursing homes, especially during a family-central holiday such as Lunar New Year, so we wanted to spend more time with them.

To start the event off, Doris and I wished the elderly a happy Lunar New Year and introduced the Zaidao website to them. We heard that many of the elderly here enjoy guessing riddles, so we prepared many lantern riddles for them. Each Zaidao student held a lantern and a riddle, and after reading the riddle, the elderly would raise their hands to guess. Those who answered correctly would receive a lantern from the students. Unexpectedly, the elderly were very enthusiastic, with many opting to yell out the answers without even raising their hands. The room was filled with joy and eager participation; the lanterns quickly awarded to the winners of each round. 

Our second activity was to do arts and crafts with the elderly. My mother recently went to China and brought back a variety of diy paper lanterns. We placed some lanterns on each table, then each Zaidao student went to assist a table of seniors with the lantern making. Since it was the Year of the Dragon, all the lanterns were in the shape of dragons. Making the lanterns was actually quite a simple process, but seeing the elderly proudly holding their own handmade lanterns gave the Zaidao students a great sense of accomplishment. After finishing, everyone took a photo together with their lanterns.

We originally planned to make tangyuan (sweet rice balls) with the elderly, but unfortunately, we didn't have enough time. So, we boiled some store-bought black sesame tangyuan in the kitchen, and after dinner, we gave each elderly person two tangyuan. Everyone enjoyed the tangyuan and had a happy Lantern Festival.

Zaidao's Lantern Festival this year was very successful and brought smiles to many seniors at Heritage House. The Zaidao students felt a great sense of accomplishment and everyone was very satisfied with the event.

By

贾盈盈 翻译 (Translation) 2024-04-07