2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
2021 PRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
KAYF:WAFL Career Forum | May 1, 2021
On May 1, KAYF held its annual Career Forum for the WAFL students. This year, KAYF hosted the Career Forum via Zoom and opened the session to high school students outside of the WAFL program. This year’s panel was composed of 11 Korean American young professionals with working experience in various fields, from finance to public service. After a round of brief introductions, the students entered breakout rooms in small groups to meet with the panelists, ask their questions, and learn more about careers they might like to pursue after high school.
Student Testimonies
Olivia: “I found the Career Forum to be really refreshing and relieving. I often imagine successful individuals like the speakers to have had a clear direction from the start, so it was motivating to hear directly from them that goals can change as individuals change, and what’s most important is to have the courage to try something new.”
Ellen: “It was intriguing to see how all of the panelists never really anticipated to be where they were. Most of the panelists started in a major that they didn't necessarily like and ended up in a different career path that fulfilled them more. I feel like all of these panelists really showed that there is nothing wrong with taking a chance and allowing oneself to do what they really want to do.”
Danielle: “One thing that really stood out to me that all of the panelists emphasized was the importance of doing things for yourself. It's so easy to slip into this cycle of people-pleasing and seeking validation from others, but in the long run, this mindset is extremely dangerous and will only hold you back from doing what you truly love. The panelists were so willing to help, and I could tell that they truly wanted only the best for us. They answered all of our questions in a honest, thorough manner to the best of their ability. I really appreciate all of them giving up their time to speak with us!”
Social Issues Awareness: Dating Violence, SA, Consent, and Communication | April 17, 2021
On April 17, WAFL had a session covering dating violence, sexual assault, consent, and communication. The workshop was led by the volunteers of the Youth Community Project Team (YCPT), a youth-led community group from the Korean American Family Services Center that upholds KAFSC’s mission to spread awareness of domestic violence and educate others to promote a violence-free society.
The session included presentations on how to recognize dating violence, intervention tools and techniques, and the nuances of giving and revoking consent. The students also had group workshops where they critiqued problematic media representation of relationships and dating, and discussed how they would respond to certain scenarios in a relationship with a significant other or their peers. The workshop was an important opportunity for the students to think critically about taking action, standing up for oneself, and to look out for the people around them.
Student Testimonies
Olivia: “My favorite part of the meeting was having uncomfortable but necessary close conversations with people in Breakout Rooms about each other’s perspectives on a certain situation. We were able to think for ourselves and be open minded to other points of view at the same time.”
Eunice: “The workshop was overall extremely educational; I learned lots of new terms such as ‘locker room banter’ and that even what seems like the smallest of things in society, such as talking about someone's body, is definitely not okay.”
Jacob: “Overall I really liked the workshop, and it was really interesting to work with the other people. One thing that kind of surprised me was that just joking around with some friends about a girl can be considered harassment, even if it was meant as a joke. I will try to remember this, and try not to make these kinds of jokes with friends.”
Shusenjo Film Screening and Q&A | April 3, 2021
On April 3, the WAFL Program held a screening of Shusenjo: The Main Battleground for the Comfort Women Issue (2019). Following the screening, the students were joined by Director Miki Dezaki for a Q&A on the documentary and the film-making process.
Shusenjo is a documentary about the comfort women (girls and women from Japanese-occupied territories who were mobilized into a system of sexual slavery during the Asia-Pacific War), and how this issue is discussed in contemporary geopolitics. The film not only interviews right-wing historical revisionists who deny the coercive nature of this wartime system, but also elevates the voices of the scholars, historians, and activists who continue to advocate for the reparations and justice of the survivor-victims. Above all else, the students were encouraged to watch the film and think about the comfort women issue from a human-rights perspective rather than a nationalist one. The film was also made available to the WAFL parents and KAYF board members (with English and Korean subtitles.)
During the Q&A, the students asked Mr. Dezaki questions ranging from his experience interviewing historical denialists, revelations he had on his film-making journey, and his insight on the future of this historical issue.
Student Testimonies
Ellen: “I thought that the documentary itself was very powerful. I left the meeting feeling a myriad of emotions whether it be anger at ignorance or empathy for the victims. Prior to the meeting, I was aware of the fact that many people doubted the existence of comfort women but I was not aware of the extent of the ignorance. Seeing/hearing all the arguments presented and diving deeper into the comfort women issue was so informative for me not only as a Korean but also as a woman on the impacts of misogyny.”
Danielle: “The highlight of the meeting for me was definitely the discussion we got to have with Miki Dezaki. It was so interesting to be able to get insight on the film from the director's perspective, and it helped push my understanding on the issue of comfort women even further.”
Ella: “I did not know anything about the comfort women at all before, so the movie was very educational. But more than that, I think the whole film was very heartbreaking, for whole countries to be so involved and dedicated to making everyone believe that this did not happen.”
Grace: “I didn't really have much knowledge about the comfort women. [...] However, with this screening and the Q&A I learned so much about the sexual slavery system that Korean girls and young women had to go through. My parents watched the screening with me and they told me what they knew as well.”
Sean: “This meeting was very helpful and educational for me. I learned many new things about the history of comfort women and how the fight for the comfort women is still happening. I would like to thank Miki for creating this wonderful film.”
wafl Speech competition | march 6 and 20, 2021
On March 6 and March 20, KAYF held its annual WAFL Speech Competition. Representing 12 states from across the US, 70 students presented their speeches on topics that are important to them. The students competed for monetary prizes of $1,000, $500, $300, $150, $100, and a $100 Amazon gift card. The WAFL students were joined by a panel of judges made up of KAYF board members and WAFL alumni.
The first place winner was Angeline Yu, a junior at Vista Ridge High School in Texas. Angeline spoke about navigating mental health as a Korean American, and her own mental health journey. “Diagnosis or not, my struggles don’t go away, but with this diagnosis I was able to learn more about the way I work; I was able to meet myself in a different light.” Angeline said in her speech. “We must all acknowledge and address the harmful stigma that we may all carry on the issues of mental health. Today, I am no longer a stranger to myself. I know myself.”
The second place winner was Ella Mohanram, a sophomore at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut. Ella spoke about social media censorship, the importance of free speech, and the responsibility social media platforms have to contain mis-information and hate speech. “Dangerous voices with the potential to incite violence can spread faster and have devastating effects on the real world,” Ella said. “One’s right of freedom speech should not demean or endanger someone else’s life. It should not promote racism, it should not promote violence.”
Danielle Yoon, a freshman at Independence High School in Texas, placed third in the Competition. Danielle spoke about growing up, the importance of staying true to yourself, and learning about who you are in the COVID-19 era. “When COVID hit, staying at home turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I hadn’t been at such ease and comfort in a long time, and I felt a sense of relief being able to finish out the school year without constantly double-checking myself,” Danielle said. “I started to realize that, no matter what you do, someone is always going to have something to say. All the choices are wrong to begin with, so why not choose the wrong choice you want to? I’ve been doing things because I want to, and I genuinely enjoy it. This has allowed me to come back to myself.”
The fourth place winner was Ellen Ko, a freshman at Amity Regional High School in Connecticut, who spoke about the importance of having positive Asian American representation in literature and media. “Fiction showcases who we are; stories are castles of our hopes, dreams, fears, and goals. But the books I read consisted of white characters, which made it more difficult for me to come to terms with my own identity,” Ellen said. “Representation means there’s more to minorities than just harmful stereotypes. Representation can bring life and beauty to previously two-dimensional, mundane characters, and allow for kids like me to see themselves as beautiful and strong, and not just as side characters that fade in the background.”
The fifth place winner, Debby Lee, is a senior at Bayside High School in New York. Debby spoke about why dating is overrated and the benefits to being single. “Being single gives you opportunity to pursue your interests as an individual,” Debby said. “Maintaining a healthy relationship [with yourself] and staying single helps you focus on yourself more by developing self-love through self-care. This is really important because you need to love yourself first before loving others.”
Finally, the winner of the Popular Award was Joon Kwon, a sophomore at Northview High School in Georgia. Joon spoke about listening to the mind and having empathy from the heart, and the importance of balancing the two. “I learned that my impulse at heart would more often than not make bad decisions, but my mind was there to provide the balance,” Joon said. “In order to make responsible decisions, you have to consider both with your mind and your heart in tandem. Every decision you make relies on this core principle, and this principle of balance and unity between the two helps you become a better, more authentic version of yourself.”
Student Debate Workshop | February 20, 2021
On February 20, the KAYF Program held the Student Debate Workshop with the New York City Urban Debate League. Led by Stefan Bauschard and instructors from the Debate League, the students learned about the rules and foundations for conducting an academic debate. They also learned about active learning as an essential part of debating, as in creating arguments, figuring out how to respond to counter-arguments, and creating a synthesis of their points. In break-out sessions with individual instructors, the students debated each other on the topic, "The Internet should/should not be free."
Student Testimonies
Lina: "One takeaway I gained [from the workshop] was that I found out that it actually COULD be fun to argue with people! But, of course, arguing while using logical facts backing up the argument."
Grace: "It was really helpful for me because I am usually bad at public speaking and arguing formally. It was really educational and I am really grateful that I got to be a part of it! It was awesome!"
Joon: "I learned how important a strong opening statement was. I believe it's more important than any rebuttals. Without a sturdy foundation, nothing can be built upon it."
Samuel: "I remember listening to evidence and connections I didn't even think about. This made the workshop much more intriguing as I listened to new ideas."
Public Speaking, Part 2 | February 6, 2021
On February 2, KAYF held part 2 of the Public Speaking Workshop for the WAFL students with New York Speech Coaching. The students were joined again by Caleb Shomaker, Associate Instructor of NYSC, for a session on debate strategies and how to develop and present arguments in a debate setting.
After covering basic skills like active listening and techniques to frame their arguments, the students had breakout sessions to form arguments on whether or not artificial intelligence is beneficial to human society. The students collaborated with each other and worked among themselves to structure a group argument, which they then presented to the rest of their peers.
Student Testimonies
Danielle: “My favorite part of the meeting was hearing everyone's developed arguments in the debate. All of the groups did a great job whipping up their point of view in a short amount of time. It was really helpful to also hear feedback on what we could improve on individually and as a group.”
Edward: “I really loved the public speaking session. I struggled with talking and stuttering and this session opened me up to lots of different techniques that make me an overall better speaker.”
Olivia: “I was able to tackle my struggles with confidence as I commit to learning technical skills. I think that this approach that I was taught became an incredible breakthrough for me.”
Public Speaking, Part 1 | January 23, 2021
On January 23, the KAYF:WAFL Program held Part 1 of the Public Speaking Workshop with New York Speech Coaching. Joined by Associate Instructor Caleb Shomaker, the students learned about strategies for dealing with anxieties around public speaking, as well as tips on how to be assertive and confident when presenting one’s ideas to an audience. Exercises from the session taught the importance of maintaining commitment, conciseness, and relaxed stillness when speaking. Other exercises included how to improve one’s posture and body language. The session also covered how to maintain a connection with others when presenting and discussing ideas to other people via Zoom.
Student Testimonies
Jennifer: I learned a lot from watching others speak in front of the class and seeing what Caleb had to say. One takeaway was to make my sound intonation go downwards rather than upwards when I am making a concluding sentence.
Ellen: I thought that Caleb was super engaging! I especially liked how he called on people and forced them to come out of their shell a bit more. I feel like with Zoom and online meetings it's really hard to get people to unmute and speak as opposed to in person meetings but Caleb was still able to keep people engaged. I think that his calling on people at random forced everyone to really pay attention to the meeting which was super beneficial.
Heewon: Caleb was an excellent speaker who let the participants feel included in the presentation and not isolated. He made the atmosphere fun and enjoyable.
The Koreas: North & South with Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) | January 9, 2021
On January 9, the WAFL Program had its session on The Koreas: North and South. The guest speaker for the session was Sarah Kim, Development Coordinator of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK). LiNK is an international NGO working with the North Korean people as they achieve their liberty, and also empowers North Koreans who have reached freedom to be changemakers, advocates, and leaders on this human rights issue.
During the session, students learned about the dangerous trek that thousands of North Koreans make every year to achieve their freedom from an oppressive government, as well as the role that LiNK plays in their journey and their lives after escaping the regime. Sarah Kim of LiNK emphasized the importance of recognizing the humanity of North Korean defectors, and how we as Korean Americans can challenge the mainstream narratives around the North Korean people. Sarah Kim’s talk was followed by a Q&A with the students, with questions ranging from the work the organization does at the ground level and how the students can get involved in LiNK.
Student Testimonies
Grace: I really liked watching the video that shows what the refugees have to go through to gain freedom. It really shows the hardships that they face and I learned a lot about what they have to go through. I did not realize that the escaping process was so risky and hard. It makes me very happy that there is a program like LiNK that is devoted to helping North-Koreans wanting to escape. It also shows the type of determination that these people have to risk their life in order to have a chance at a better one.
Danielle: It was extremely eye-opening and shifted how I viewed North Koreans and my potential in being able to contribute to positive change. LiNK showed me I can still make an impact even though I live across the world and am still a kid. Further, even though North Koreans may have less fortunate circumstances, that does not diminish their ability to think and feel as big and complex as us.
Sean: It was helpful to me because as a South Korean, I always wanted to know more about North Korea. I found the session very educational because it taught us more about North Korea. I hope that all the people who escaped from North Korea are safe and I hope that someday Korea will be combined again.
Mental Health Workshop with Womankind NYC | December 19, 2020
On December 19, KAYF held a Mental Health Workshop for our WAFL students with Womankind NYC, a non-profit organization that provides services for survivors of domestic violence and mental health services.
Sharon Chung, an art therapist and youth advocate for Womankind, joined the students to talk about emotional intelligence and healthy coping skills. During her presentation, she discussed the stigma around seeking mental health services, the importance of listening to our bodies and caring for our mental well-being, and how to cope with stress and negative feelings in healthy ways. The students also did an exercise where they expressed their inner feelings on paper and shared with their peers how they experience stress and negative emotions.
Student Testimonies
Grace: “Personally, I truly enjoyed the Mental Health Workshop and I learned a lot of things that I did not know. It is very important to be educated on the topic of mental health as it plays such a big role in our lives. Many people ignore their mental health and believe that physical health is something that needs to be taken care of more. However, I learned that mental health is something that cannot be ignored. It is a very crucial part of our everyday lives! I learned that simple body reactions can tell a lot about our mental health.”
Rachel: “[Sharon Chung] was very engaging and did not expect us to be completely vulnerable but still let us be comfortable and safe. [...] I loved that we focused on mental health especially because I've just been going through some stuff but I really appreciated it and the timing was impeccable!”
Hannah: “I found [the workshop] very helpful and educational, since it reinforced the idea that asking for mental health help is okay. I think this was extremely well done and I loved it a lot.”
FINANCE SEMINAR PART 2 WITH CENTS ABILITY | DECEMBER 12, 2020
On December 12, KAYF held part 2 of the Finance Seminar with non-profit organization Cents Ability.
The WAFL students were joined by Cents Ability volunteer Free Mondesire, who led two presentations on (1) college cents, and (2) investments. Free covered topics that included applying for student financial aid, different ways to finance a college education, and smart ways to invest for the future.
Free’s presentations were followed by volunteer Anna Tse’s talk on the stock market. Anna discussed how to make smart investment decisions, resources to research which stocks one might like to invest in, and the importance of having conversations with one’s family about potential investments.
STUDENT TESTIMONIES
Olivia: “My favorite was seeing real-life examples (like of kids my age engaging in finance), it just helped everything sink in as something relevant and possible for me at this time.”
Grace: “I learned a lot of important knowledge. I found this to be a really crucial seminar because I am coming to the age where I have to make loans for college, build up credit, and other things. I need to start using the things that I learned and apply them. One thing that I learned from this seminar was about the risks that can come from investing and the things that can be done to minimize those risks. For example, one could invest in many different companies instead of just investing all their money into one.”
FINANCE seminar part 1 with cents ability | December 5, 2020
On December 5, KAYF held Part 1 of the Finance Seminar with non-profit organization Cents Ability. The purpose of the workshop was to cultivate financial literacy in our WAFL students, and to provide them with educational tools to manage their finances as they prepare for life after high school.
Free Mondesire, a volunteer at Cents Ability, led two workshops on (1) Budgeting and (2) Saving and Banking. She discussed the importance of maintaining your finances from a younger age, and how the students can save money to achieve their goals.
This was followed by a presentation on Credit by Cents Ability volunteer Tracy Vu. She spoke to the students about the importance of building good credit and avoiding predatory lenders.
STUDENT TESTIMONIES
Eugene: “I loved how there were several examples to make the information being provided much easier to understand. Providing real world examples proved to help me understand what actions to take and avoid. I was also able to generalize a time frame to accomplish financial goals in order to receive benefits.”
Danielle: “My favorite part of the meeting was when we talked about real-life examples of people who have poorly managed their money and people who have successfully managed their money to see the spectrum of impact being financially smart can have on people's lives.”
Phillip: “I think it was a really cool and insightful meeting as it helped prepare us for the future in which we will have to worry about debt, credit, identity theft, etc. It was very helpful as it taught me about things that I will need to worry about in the near future.“
Korean Diaspora and Jeronimo Film Screening with joseph juhn | november 14, 2020
On November 14, KAYF hosted a film screening of Jeronimo: The Untold Tales of Koreans in Cuba (2019, dir. Joseph Juhn).
To kick off the meeting, the WAFL students were introduced to the concept of diaspora, or the displacement of a racial/ethnic group from their homeland due to circumstances like colonization, war, and labor migration. The students then shared with their peers how they experience their individual Korean identities.
After watching the film, the students were joined by the director of Jeronimo, Joseph Juhn, for a Q&A. After sharing his experiences and how he understands his identity, Joseph Juhn answered questions from the students ranging from the film-making process to advise on grappling with dual identities.
One student asked, "Do you have any advice for us Korean American teens who are also struggling with our identities?"
"I say continue to struggle," Joseph Juhn said in response. "Continue to wrestle with it. Don't give up. Only by struggling and wrestling do you end up transcending the very boundaries that confine you. Ultimately, your goal is not to stay Korean or American, or to stay Korean American; it is a philosophical and existential journey for you. Ultimately, you will walk out as human, an enlightened human who can embrace anyone of any background, but it only begins as you struggle with your own Korean American identity."
Student Testimonies
Joon: "In that fusion [of identities], it creates a different dynamic, and that's like with us and the music they were playing in the film. That Cuban version of Arirang is not going to be Cuban music, it's not going to be like Korean music, but it is still music and still cultural. Watching that made me feel like I am also that way [...] it's about that balance of being right in the middle. Like a Venn diagram."
Rachel: "The film emphasized the need for a really strong and good community to be surrounded with, and to have people who love you and care for you and have the same ideals for you in order to keep pursuing that identity you strive for."
Rudy: "The film gave me hope -- that a lost identity isn't lost forever."
Jaeseo: "The film made me feel more prideful in my Korean roots. [...] I feel like all kids [of the diaspora] share that conflicting emotion on how you should define yourself and your identity. The fact that they were so willing and interested in pursuing their Korean heritage motivates me to do the same."
College Prep Seminar with C2 Education | October 24, 2020
On October 24, KAYF held a College Preparation Seminar for the WAFL students. Led by Ed Kim of C2 Education, the Seminar covered the college admissions process and how to write an impressive college essay. Ed Kim also shared his experiences as a Korean-American, as a student, and as a working professional to provide the students with guidance on their futures.
The students had opportunities to ask Ed Kim an array of questions, ranging from AP/IB courses, standardized testing, and applying for college in the era of COVID-19.
Following Ed Kim’s presentation, the students had breakout sessions with their cohorts. The cohorts discussed their plans for after high school, what kind of college experience they would like to have, and what fields of study they are interested in. The students then came up with creative names for their cohorts
Student Testimonies
“[My favorite part was] when he mentioned that even if we feel like we have nothing and feel like our resumes aren’t good enough compared to other people, there’s no need to worry because you've actually accomplished so much in your life.”
“Ed Kim was amazing! I loved that he was so interactive even though it was through a computer screen.”
“As the first born of immigrants, it’s kind of hard to navigate through these very traditional American ideas and Ed was a big help in clarifying the college process to me!”
“Ed Kim was very blunt and reassuring, which is a combination of traits that’s hard to achieve when it comes to talking about the college application process.”
Orientation | October 10, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, KAYF is conducting the WAFL high school leadership program online (with little to no chance of that changing over the course of the school year.) Despite these new adjustments, we are thrilled to announce that we have opened this year's WAFL Program to Korean American high school students across the United States for the first time in KAYF's history.
One benefit of the transition to remote learning is that we have expanded our WAFL class to a total of 83 students, representing twelve states across the US. Additionally, 100 percent of last year's WAFL students have returned for the new school year. Perhaps the greatest benefit of expanding the WAFL program nationwide is the diversity of our students' backgrounds and upbringings, so that they may learn from each other's experiences and continue to grow into competent and well-rounded leaders.
During the first session on Saturday, October 10, KAYF Program Coordinator Eri Kim gave an overview of the 2020-2021 WAFL Program schedule and how the students may qualify for the Presidential Service Award.