AASA Board Spring 2013

Who I Am: I am a sophomore from Trumbull College, and am a Filipino Canadian with a knack for painting, reading Christian and art history, folding origami, playing the piano, and sushi. I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, and attended high school in Vancouver, Canada. I plan to major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, and will hopefully end up (eons from now) a heart surgeon.

Why AASA: I am Filipino Canadian but have come to call Asian American issues my own. We live in such a globalized world that stereotypes prevailing in the last great superpower nation have repercussions for Asians the world over. Through AASA I seek to highlight Yale’s Asian American community’s unity in its diversity by advocating common goals such as political empowerment and cultural awareness.

Fun Fact: My culinary specialties are chocolate soufflé and macaron de Paris.

Who I Am:I am an Asian American from Georgia with parents from Vietnam and Hong Kong, the youngest of three girls, a Morsel in the Class of 2015, and a Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry major hoping to eventually become a surgeon, a researcher, and a good mother. I love hip-hop and ballroom, mythology and random science facts, guitars and chocolate, and my family.

Why AASA: Being a part of the Asian American community has always been a big part of my life, so naturally I was drawn to AASA when I came to Yale. AASA is a community where all the member groups can come together, draw strength from each other, learn about each others' cultures, collaborate with each other, and be a big extended family of diverse backgrounds with a unified voice. AASA has allowed me to learn more about and explore what it means to be Asian American politically, socially, culturally, etc. As Co-Moderator, I hope to help set a stronger foundation for Asian American leaders and bring the Asian American community closer together.

Fun Fact: I'm the tallest one in my family.

Why AASA:

Fun Fact:

Who I amA sophomore in Branford, interested in a variety of subjects, from computer science and math, to political science and history. I grew up in Queens, New York, then moved to Long Island, New York. I'm a premed student (in particular, highly interested in healthcare IT and health economics), but haven't decided on a major just yet (the perks of a liberal arts education). If you're not finding me studying in the library, you can find me volunteering, researching, or playing basketball. I am also an avid fan of the New York Giants, Knicks, Yankees, and Rangers.

Distinguishing Trait: The Asian-American community has come a long way. We've elected Asian-American leaders to political office last November. The Asian-American community has made strides, but still face challenges. We still face economic disenfranchisement, political isolation, and racial discrimination. AASA provides a forum where Asian-American student organizations can collaborate and reach out, where students can learn of the issues facing the Asian-American community, and where everybody can make a difference. As PAEC co-chair, I'm humbled, fired up, and ready.

Fun Fact:In middle school, I was a waterboy for New York Giants during their training camp.

Who I Am:

Why AASA:

Fun Fact:

Who I Am:I'm an international student who was born in Beijing, but has spent most of my life in Hong Kong, New Jersey, and Shanghai. I am not entirely sure what I'll be majoring in, but tentatively I'm on the pre-med track and am considering Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Outside of reading, watching TV, and essentially any other sedentary activity, I enjoy horseback riding.

Why AASA: I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I joined AASA, but I am so thankful that I did. Being a part of AASA has enabled me to join in the conversation on what being Asian American means and to better understand my own cultural identity. Furthermore, it is an incredibly rewarding experience to learn about the issues that Asian Americans face and to take action with regards to those issues.

Fun Fact: My family can't seem to settle down. We've moved at least ten times in the past eighteen years.

Who I am: I am a Silliman sophomore studying life, a New Yorker who grew up speaking Mandarin, a poet who oil paints, a student who teaches, a pragmatic dreamer, and a friend and daughter. I like warm chocolate chip cookies, soft robes, and movies that make me smile through tears. I believe in living comfortably, laughing freely, and loving slowly.

Why AASA?: As an AASA board member, I am a part of an eclectic family of peers, cultures, and organizations. I am excited to be a part of AASA's voice of community and empowerment. I think it is important not only for individual cultures to celebrate themselves, but also for diverse cultures to come together to celebrate each other, and as part of AASA, I can help facilitate that collaboration.

Why AASA:

Fun Fact:

Who I Am: I am a freshman in Saybrook, planning on majoring in computer science and something else - not too sure yet. I love playing music and am in various instrumental groups at Yale.

Why AASA: I'm very interested in different Asian cultures and I felt that AASA was a great way to explore diversity.

Fun Fact: I love college basketball... March Madness is my favorite sports event of the year.