Graduation | May 31, 2025
On May 31, KAYF concluded the 2024-2025 WAFL Program with its annual Graduation ceremony.
The students were joined by KAYF Board Members Alex Mun, Dan Kim, and Irwin Park, who extended their warm wishes to the students and the graduating class. Executive Director Eri Kim announced this year’s recipients of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and the awardees of KAYF scholarships. After a round of WAFL trivia, the graduating seniors shared their plans for the future and which colleges they will be heading to in the fall.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025!
Andrew Kang, Princeton University
Claire Ha, UC Irvine
David Hu, University of Pennsylvania
Ethan Lee, Princeton University
Eugene Seo, Rice University
Janice Lee, Yale University
Jonah Kim, Georgia Tech
Katie Kim, Syracuse University
Lonnie Moon, University of Pennsylvania
Matthew Ji, Carnegie Mellon University
Matthew Wooton, United States Military Academy West Point
Philip Kim, Cornell University
Yang Wu, Cornell University
2025 KAYF Scholarship Awardees
Go-Getter Award ($200)
Luke Ahn
Eva Choi
Joelle Kim
Myah Kimson
Irene Moon
Seungho Park
Leading By Example Award ($300)
Olivia Bang
Hannah Kim
Olivia Lee
Ethan Pak
Wen Wu
Asian American Excellence Award ($500)
Suan Cho
Grace Kim
Chloe Koo
Jessica Pak
Career Forum | May 10, 2025
On May 10, the WAFL Program held the 2025 Career Forum.
The Career Forum is an annual event for the WAFL students to meet with Asian American young professionals from various backgrounds. It is an opportunity for the students to ask questions about and gain insight on professional careers they might like to pursue after high school. This year’s Career Forum featured professionals with backgrounds in STEM, finance, entrepreneurship, and sports. Keep reading to learn about this year’s panelists!
Megan Cho | Software Engineer, Disney
Hey! I'm Megan, and I'm a Software Engineer at Disney. I graduated in 2022 from UCLA in Linguistics and Computer Science, with a minor in Film & TV. I picked up CS later on in my college career, being interested in tech within entertainment. I'd be happy to answer any questions regarding a similar trajectory, as well as battling imposter syndrome for interviews.
Milyza Flores | Program Manager, Agile Defense
Hi! I’m Milyza and I’m a Program Manager at Agile Defense. I’ve had a varied career history - from investment banking, to startup product management, to freelancing for entrepreneurs, to now government project management. I’ve worked within New York and Hawaii and remotely across Latin America. My career history shows you don’t have to have things “figured out,” and that you can follow what makes most sense for you in the moment.
Andrew K. Han | Financial Advisor, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
Andrew K. Han is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management and has nearly a decade of experience in financial services. He helps individuals and businesses to achieve their financial goals and assists with financial planning – trust and estates, retirement, and business succession. Andrew was raised in Bergen County and still resides in the area. Fortunately, he was blessed with many great relationships, especially strong mentors who have positively impacted his life. He hopes to pass on the same blessing to the younger generation and the community. In his spare time, he enjoys long walks on the beach.
Kyung il Lee | Managing Partner, Sagaponack
My name is Kyung il Lee, and I am the Managing Partner of Sagaponack, a restaurant in the Flatiron District of New York City. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, I have worked in various roles, from taking calls at takeout restaurants and bussing tables to bartending, event coordination, and management. I consider myself a lifelong student, always eager to grow and learn, striving for continuous improvement.
Tom Park | Mechanical Engineer, Boyce Technologies
I am a mechanical engineering professional with 5 years of experience seeking roles in mechanical design, medical device, and mechatronic space. I enjoy the product development process. I am constantly applying and developing my skills as a design engineer. I enjoy working in tight-knit multifaceted teams where there is opportunity to both distribute my expertise and rapidly learn from others. In general, I believe it is important to fail early and fail fast in order to succeed. When I am not focusing on my work, I devote some time to pursuing personal projects that allow me to feed my curiosity, stay sharp, and help others. Often these projects involve some degree of mechanical design, electronics, 3D printing, and woodworking.
Robynn Ree | LPGA Professional Golfer
Robynn Ree is a Korean American golfer who grew up and lives in Redondo Beach, California. She matriculated at the University of Southern California in 2015 and instantly became one of the top college players in the country. In 2016, she was an All-American selection.
Robynn entered LPGA Q-School at the end of 2017 and earned full status on tour by finishing in the top 20. She took a leave of absence and joined the LPGA as a rookie in 2018. She graduated from USC in 2021.
Dr. Juny Rhee | Physical Therapist
Juny Rhee, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist and business owner with a passion for helping people move better and feel stronger. He works with a wide range of orthopedic clients, from everyday aches and pains to post-surgical rehab, with a special focus on ACL recovery. Known for his friendly approach and dedication to individualized care, Juny combines clinical expertise with a welcoming atmosphere to support each patient’s goals—whether it’s returning to sport, staying active, or simply moving pain-free.
WAFL Speech Competition | April 19 & 26, 2025
On April 19 and 26, KAYF held the annual We Are Future Leaders Speech Competition.
A staple of the WAFL Program, the Speech Competition is an opportunity for our students to conduct research on, write, and present a speech on a topic of their choosing. This year’s competition covered an array of topics including how burn-out culture affects young people today, how social media can warp our self-image, and the value of social justice movements. Over a span of two weeks, the students diligently prepared their speeches to compete for a first-place cash prize of $1,000.
Without further ado, here are the winners of the 2025 WAFL Speech Competition!
First Place ($1,000)
Jessica Pak, 11th Grade, New York
What Banchan & Family Means to Me
Second Place ($500)
Irene Moon, 9th Grade, New York
“The Catalyst of Youth & Generations of Opportunity”: On Those Who Came Before Us
Third Place ($300)
Matthew Wooton, 12th Grade, Texas
On Sacrifice & Enacting Positive Change
Fourth Place ($300)
Lonnie Moon, 12th Grade, New York
On the Burdens & Responsibilities of a First Born Child
Fifth Place ($200)
Chloe Koo, 11th Grade, New Jersey
On Choosing Empathy & Social Justice
Sixth Place ($200)
Eugene Seo, 12th Grade, Nevada
On Choosing Kindness and Humility When Building Relationships
Seventh Place ($100)
Hannah Choi, 11th Grade, California
Grace Kim, 11th Grade, New Jersey
Kyle Lee, 11th Grade, New York
Mason Lee, 11th Grade, New york
Yeeun Park, 10th Grade, New Jersey
Congratulations to this year’s winners, and THANK YOU to all who participated!
Film Screening and Q&A: Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of the Comfort Women Issue With Director Miki Dezaki | March 29, 2025
On March 29 , the WAFL Program held a screening of Shusenjo: The Main Battleground for the Comfort Women Issue (2019).
The session kicked off with a historical overview by Executive Director Eri Kim on Korea’s colonial history, who the comfort women were, and the effects of the first public testimonies by these survivors in the 90s. 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 his subjects, revelations he had on his film-making journey, and his insight on the future of this historical issue.
WAFL Incubator: For Our Peers, By Our Peers | March 22, 2025
On March 22, our students presented their mock start-up projects as part of the first WAFL Incubator.
Over two weeks, the WAFL students worked in groups to create a mock start-up and pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges made of the KAYF board. The theme of the project was “For Our Peers, By Our Peers,” encouraging our students to think about services and products that would benefit the lives of Gen Z. The students were tasked with creating an organized business model, including a market analysis, strategy, funding, and financial projections. The project culminated on the 22nd where the students presented their start-ups in teams. Business ideas included subscription-based tutoring modules, online platforms connecting high school and college students with internships in their area, and an app for local students to trade clothes.
The winning team, Freedom Finances, pitched a “gamified” financial education platform for Gen Z and young professionals that would provide personalized wealth roadmaps encouraging responsible financial practices while making it fun and engaging.
Each member of the winning team received $50 gift cards donated by the KAYF board. Congratulations to David Hu, Jessica Pak, Lonnie Moon, Matthew Ji, Philip Kim, and Yeeun Park!
Public Speaking Workshop | February 15, 2025
On February 15, the WAFL Program had its second Public Speaking Workshop of the school year.
The WAFL students were joined by Mrs. Courtney Ricketts, an instructor from New York Speech Coaching. This week’s session focused on how to deliver a presentation in front of an audience confidently and effectively. The students did impromptu speech exercises in front of the class as well as in smaller groups to practice their speaking skills. The workshop also included exercises on body language and gestures to bolster their confidence and delivery.
This session is a precursor to an upcoming group project, where the WAFL students will work in teams to create a mock start-up and pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.
Public Speaking Workshop | February 1, 2025
On February 1, the WAFL Program held the first of two Public Speaking Workshops of the school year.
The students were joined by Tricia Veldman, an instructor from New York Speech Coaching. This week’s topic focused on educating our students on how to carry oneself confidently when speaking in public. Ms. Veldman covered the fundamentals of confident speech, speaking spontaneously, and how to most effectively share one’s personal narrative. Throughout the session, the instructor gave the students personalized feedback and had the students practice various exercises in breakout rooms with each other.
Asian American Narratives Workshop & AAPI Civic Engagement With Make Us Visible NY And Assemblymember Steven Raga | January 4, 2025
On January 4, the WAFL Program held an Asian American Narratives Workshop with Make Us Visible NY.
Make Us Visible NY is a bipartisan nonprofit organization that advocates for the inclusion of AAPI history in K-12 schools across America and solutions to anti-Asian American violence. The students were joined by Christine Dai and Helen Suh Singson, co-directors of the New York chapter of MUV, to discuss the work they do and how to tell our stories as young Asian Americans.
During the session, Ms. Dai and Ms. Suh Singson discussed the benefits of learning Asian American history in school and how this contributes to a healthy development of AAPI youth. The students then participated in breakout sessions where the students opened up about their experiences and understandings of their Asian American identities. The MUVNY reps also led discussions on developing and building public narratives that our students can use for public testimonies, media interviews, and community events.
To conclude the day, the WAFL students were joined by Assemblymember Steven Raga, who discussed his career as a New York City elected official, especially as a representative of a majority AAPI district. He discussed the ways he and other Asian American elected officials work to advocate for the community, emphasizing the importance of on-the-ground canvassing efforts and building coalitions with other ethnic minority groups.
Film Screening and Q&A: Jeronimo: The Untold Tales of Koreans in Cuba With Director Joseph Juhn | December 7, 2024
On December 7, KAYF hosted a film screening of Jeronimo: The Untold Tales of Koreans in Cuba (2019, dir. Joseph Juhn).
The film tells the story of Jeronimo Lim Kim, a Korean-Cuban revolutionary who became an accomplished government official in the Castro regime before returning to his ethnic roots and dedicating his later life to reconstructing his identity as a Korean in Cuba.
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 grappling with dual identities. The students also shared their own experiences and how the film has given them new perspectives on their own identities as members of the diaspora.
Let’s Talk About College: Welcome Back WAFL Alumni! | Nov. 23, 2024
On November 23, the WAFL Program held a Let’s Talk About College workshop and invited a few of our graduates to speak about their college experiences. This year’s panel included Joon Kwon (2023), Marie Kim (2023), Olivia Lee (2023), and Danielle Yoon (2024). They spoke about their experiences with college admissions, their day-to-day as college students, and how they find the right balance between their school, work, and personal lives. They also answered student questions specific to the schools and programs they are enrolled in to give more insight about their lives after graduating from high school and the WAFL Program.
Keep reading to learn more about our panelists!
JOON KWON, CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ECONOMICS
Hey! I'm Joon and I am currently studying at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pursuing a BS in Information Systems with an additional major in Economics and a minor in Human-Computer Interaction. Ultimately, I want to integrate my studies with my experiences to better understand our revolving world of tech systems, business strategy, and most importantly people. Currently, I've found that product managers sit comfortably on this axis so I'm excited to explore this career path through networking and skills development. Outside of academics, I'm a huge pickleballer and rock climber, both in Pittsburgh and back home in Johns Creek, Georgia. I also run a small flower bouquet business on Instagram on @jooniesflowerss!
MARIE KIM, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, HISTORY
Hi! I’m Marie and I’ll be a sophomore at Georgetown University (A.B. in History) after transferring from a different university after my first year. I’m also an ‘23 alumni of the WAFL program. If you have any questions on what transferring or the Georgetown application process is like, feel free to ask me any questions.
OLIVIA LEE, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Hi! I'm Olivia and I'm from Massachusetts and I'm a second-year at Northwestern. I study biomedical engineering but am new to the engineering aspect but I love it so far. I'd love to talk about anything, college life, living away from home, etc.
DANIELLE YOON, YALE UNIVERSITY, POLITICAL SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS
Danielle Yoon is from Frisco, Texas, and is currently a freshman at Yale University interested in studying Political Science and Economics. On campus, she is part of the Yale Undergraduate Consulting Group, Yale Political Institute, Yale Symphony Orchestra, and Yale Literary Magazine. As a cellist, she was selected to be on NPR's From The Top, Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), and the New England Conservatory's International Morningside Music Bridge Program, among others. She was named a 2022 Texas Young Master by the Texas Cultural Trust and Texas Commission on the Arts, and is a 2022 and 2024 National YoungArts Award Winner. Danielle also presided over her high school's Model United Nations, Asian American Student Association, and orchestra program, and served as the senior representative in her district council. She was part of the WAFL program for all four years of high school!
WAFL Field Trip: SoHo Art Galleries | Nov. 16, 2024
On November 16, the WAFL students took their first field trip to several art galleries in SoHo, New York.
The first stop was Canal Projects, a nonprofit contemporary art gallery that highlights and supports international artists at pivotal moments in their careers. The students explored Anne Duk Hee Jordan’s immersive art installation, Snailing, which uses long curtains coiled in the shape of snail shells to create cozy enclosures where the students listened to music written by the artist and learned about the remarkable story of Jeremy the snail.
The next stop was Eden Gallery where the students checked out the colorful contemporary artwork, including many sculptures by David Kracov. After, we headed to the Park West Gallery to see their extensive collection of pieces from Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali’s estates.
We also had a photo contest during the field trip. The WAFL students had a great time photographing the artwork and each other. Congratulations to the winners, Grace Kim (11th Grade, NJ) and Irene Moon (9th Grade, NY)!
After checking out the exhibits, we headed over to Tomiño for Spanish tapas before making our way back home. Thank you to all the WAFL students and KAYF board members who joined us!
Pictured above: Irene and Yeeun strike a post at the Eden Gallery in SoHo.
College Prep Seminar & Essay Writing Workshop | Nov. 9, 2024
On November 9, the WAFL Program held its annual College Prep Seminar & Essay Writing Workshop. This week was led by Ed Kim, VP of Education & Training at Code Ninjas, who has many years of experience working with high school students to achieve their higher education goals. Ed’s presentation covered the college admissions process, what admissions officers look for, and how students can stand out from other applicants.
Student Testimonies
“[The workshop] was very helpful and I took many notes about college admissions and how to write the essays. Since I am just a sophomore, this was a great way to be familiar with what to expect and to put less pressure on myself next year when the time comes.” - Erin, 10th Grade
“[As a junior], the workshop was extremely helpful. All my questions about the college application process were answered due to Ed's breadth of coverage in his presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, and I have lots to take away from it. Thank you Ed, it was perfect!” - Lauren, 11th Grade
“My favorite part was when we asked questions and he answered them thoroughly. I felt like that was very important since the questions came from actual students that are experiencing the process of college apps and curious which stuff are more beneficial.” - Emilia, 11th Grade
“It really helped me understand more deeply about college essays when he showed the example of a previous student's essay. Learning the writing methods and storytelling elements are crucial and Ed really made understanding it easier.” - Kaylee, 11th Grade
WAFL Orientation | Oct. 26, 2024
AND WE’RE BACK! On October 26, KAYF kicked off the 2024-2025 WAFL Program with our first online session. During the orientation, KAYF Executive Director Eri Kim discussed the program schedule, student conduct policy, and how students can qualify for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. This was followed by student introductions for the new WAFL class to get to know each other.
To close, we announced an upcoming field trip in November to a local art gallery in New York. We also announced that KAYF is recruiting interns from the WAFL class to assist with creating marketing materials, conducting alumni outreach, and more.
The WAFL Program has been conducted online since 2020 and is open to Asian American teens nationwide. This year, we have 21 new students joining our roster for a total of 72 students representing 14 states across the US as well as a province in South Korea.
2024 WAFL Orientation Camp | Oct. 12-14, 2024
From October 12 to 14, the Korean American Youth Foundation hosted the WAFL Orientation Camp at Hands In 4 Youth in West Milford, NJ. This is the first time we have been able to host the camp since the pandemic, and we are thrilled to share that 16 WAFL students, including three from West Virginia and Oklahoma, participated in the three-days, two-nights camp.
On Day 1, the students got to know each other with introductions and icebreakers. The students broke out into teams of four, created team names, and designed unique posters representing their group. The groups then competed with each other in team-building games.
To close out the first night of the camp, we held a film screening of Jeronimo: The Untold Tales of Koreans in Cuba. This was followed by a special Q&A with the director of the documentary, Joseph Juhn, who took questions from the students and shared his insights on filmmaking, navigating multiple cultural identities, and the diaspora as the future of Korea.
We kicked off Day 2 of the camp by warming up with a nature walk and an improv speech activity. The students then worked as teams for the weekend’s biggest project, KAYF x Shark Tank: Be the Change You Want to See.
As part of this project, the teams brainstormed issues or problems they wanted to address and worked together to pitch their ideas and solutions to a panel of “sharks” made up of KAYF board members. The sharks spoke with each group and helped them flesh out their ideas, which ranged from innovative golfing accessories to accessibility for people with disabilities.
After a busy morning of brainstorming and discussion, the students went outside for some much-needed fresh air and outdoor activities. Led by staff members of Hands In 4 Youth, the WAFL students played team-building games, climbed challenge courses and rock walls, and tried their hands at archery.
In the evening, the students finished up their Shark Tank presentations and pitched their business ideas to the judges. The winning team GEWI (Ethan Lee, William Kim, Grace Kim, and Irene Moon) presented their project Garden Nana, a vertical gardening product that emphasized sustainability and supporting local farms and businesses.
To celebrate the last night of the WAFL camp, we went outside for a bonfire to make smores (and we couldn’t forget the instant noodles, of course!)
After a busy weekend, we concluded the WAFL Orientation Camp with some basketball, volleyball, and final reflections before making our way back home.
