The Youth4AM SHSAT Summer Camp & Leadership Development Program had its 5th annual Closing Ceremony on Saturday, August 12th, 2023 from 9:30am to 11:30am EST to celebrate the end of classes and students’ and TAs’ hard work during the summer! Keynote speaker CEO Angela Hu began the ceremony with a presentation on the impact of AI.
Each of Youth4AM’s student-run departments presented on their progress and duties this year. Academics Manager Adrian Shiu presented on the Academics Department’s evaluation project and learning material management. Administration Director Raymond Guo presented on program admissions, managing SYEP and Ladders for Leaders participants, promotion, and post-program awards. IT Director Christopher Chin and IT Manager Jennifer Chen presented on maintenance of the NYRA website and Google Drive. Marketing Director Erica Liu presented about how the Marketing Department organizes ceremonies, seminars, and recruitments as well as future plans for expanding outreach. Ethan Lam talked about his experience in China and how that will lay the foundation for a future project. Students Alexa, Rainier, and Sophia; TA Leader Clemens; TA Manager Carol Xu, and TA Director Raymond Guo gave testimonials about memorable times in the program and what they have learned.
Elected officials Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Assemblyman Ron Kim, Assemblyman William Colton, and Congresswoman Grace Meng spoke on education and the power of the voice of the youth. Congresswoman Grace Meng talked about public safety and anti-Asian hate, the SHSAT, and the initiative of the Lunar New Year holiday; Assemblyman William Colton talked about the fight to save the SHSAT and the necessity of more gifted and talented programs; and all elected officials highly appraised the success of Youth4AM and encouraged students to serve the community and register to vote.
Finally, awards were presented to students and TAs to recognize them for their efforts. The audience left the ceremony knowing how hard everyone has worked this year.
New York State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein is a member of the New York State Asian Pacific American Task Force, has spoken out against AAPI hate speech, and sponsored a bill to require the administration of the TASC examination in Chinese or Korean for students fluent in those languages but have limited English proficiency.
Assemblyman Braunstein reminded our attendees the importance of voting and making sure your voice is heard:
“I appreciate the work that Youth4AM does is its focus on civil engagement… You need to recognize the power you have. Tell your family to register to vote. Make sure to take the opportunity to make your voices heard.”
Assemblyman Weprin, representing 24th assembly district in Queens, has devoted decades of his life to public service and has an extensive background in finance. He is currently chair of the Committee on Insurance, member of the Committee on Banks, and member of the Asian Pacific American Task Force.
“I want to congratulate Youth4AM for helping create the next generation of leaders that will take our city into the future fighting for justice and solidarity for the people of New York City, equality and education for our children and a safer and better New York City for everyone.”
New York State Assemblyman William Colton is currently Majority Whip and has served the New York State Assembly for more than 20 years. He is a member of the Asian Pacific American Task Force and recently joined colleagues and advocates to call for passing legislation that would mandate inclusion of Asian American history into school curriculum.
“We need to create more specialized programs… our education system needs to meet the needs of our children… I want to thank Youth4AM for having this program and it’s been it doing year by year and so many young people have been helped by it.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng, the first and only Asian American Member of Congress from New York State. She is First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and recently passed HR 3525, establishing a commission to study creating a national museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. Since 2013, Congresswoman Meng has fought to expand opportunities for communities of color, young people, families, small businesses, and women.
“You cannot just pick and choose a part of the problem and try to address it. Yes, diversity is a problem at our SHSAT schools, but you can’t try to take away the SHSAT test and not fight to fully expand gifted and talented programs at the elementary levels. We need to make sure you are doing well in school and on the exam. I also want to encourage you to be civic minded.”
Assemblyman Ron Kim helped establish Lunar New Year as a NYC school holiday and is a co-founder of the New York State Asian Pacific American Task Force. He is the first Korean-American ever elected to the New York State Legislature.
“I think it is important for us to come together in the next generation whether you like the SHSAT or not, I think it is beyond that. Despite the fact that we as Asian Americans have been part of this country for multiple generations and have built the foundations of this country we oftentimes are still treated like foreigners in our own backyards. That is not good enough. I want you to study hard and aspire to not go to just a good college but go beyond. Think big.”
Thank you so much to everyone who attended our Closing Ceremony. We want to congratulate all the students and TAs for completing the program and helping it run so smoothly. We hope those of you who enjoyed this program will return next year. We would also like to wish our students the best of luck on your SHSATs this fall!
