2025 USCAC AANHPI Youth Leadership Scholarship Ceremony Successfully Held
5/25/2025 Maryland
Gaithersburg, Maryland – May 25, 2025 – In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the U.S.-China Association of Commerce (USCAC) proudly hosted the 2025 AANHPI Youth Leadership Scholarship Ceremony on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Sunshine Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This annual event honors the outstanding achievements of AANHPI youth in the areas of community service, academic excellence, and leadership.
Shining Youth, Dignified Ceremony
The event opened with the U.S. national anthem, followed by welcoming remarks from Dr. Tang Wei, professor at Georgetown University and Chair of the 2025 Scholarship Committee. Dr. Meirong Liu, Professor at Howard University and Director of the USCAC Education Department, then delivered an inspiring speech.
Distinguished guests in attendance included:
-
Maryland Secretary of State – Susan Lee
-
Honorable Judge – Chung Pak
-
Special Assistant to Montgomery County Executive – Debbie Spielberg
-
Director of MVA Operations – Shawn C. Eum
-
Administrative Assistant, Office of the Secretary of State – Cathy Bauer
-
President of the Virginia Asian Pacific American Alliance – Kee Jun
-
President of the Council on Social Work Education – Dr. Halaevalu Vakalahi
-
Director of the Governor’s Commissions on Asian Pacific American and South Asian American Affairs – Christina W. Poy
-
Regional Director of the White House Initiative on AANHPI – Lanlan Xu
-
USCAC Honorary President – Lisa Liu
Guests delivered congratulatory remarks, commending the young awardees and presenting commendation certificates on behalf of their respective institutions to USCAC for its remarkable contributions to youth development and community service.
Four Awards, A Celebration of Future Leaders
The ceremony recognized winners across four award categories: Distinguished, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each recipient received a certificate and scholarship check from attending guests. Select awardees took the stage to share heartfelt reflections on social responsibility and aspirations for the future.
A special highlight of the event was the return of Jennifer Wan, the Platinum Award winner of USCAC’s inaugural scholarship program, who served as the host for this year’s ceremony. Her journey from award recipient to emcee symbolizes USCAC’s long-term commitment to nurturing young leaders. Her presence brought special meaning and encouragement to all attendees.
Media Coverage Amplifies Youth Voices
The ceremony attracted coverage from major community outlets, including Metro Chinese Weekly and MetricSpaceMedia. Post-event interviews with award recipients, guest speakers, and scholarship judges offered deeper insights into their experiences and passion for community impact. These stories will be shared through print and digital platforms to further amplify the voices of today’s youth.
Passing the Torch, Building the Future
Special thanks were extended to the Scholarship Selection Committee: Dr. Meirong Liu, Dr. Tang Wei, Dr. Xinbin Gu, Dr. Shaolei Teng, and Dr. Yanjun Liao. USCAC Honorary President Lisa Liu presented each judge with a commemorative trophy in appreciation of their expertise and dedication to ensuring a fair and meaningful selection process.
In the closing remarks, Jennifer Wan and Chris Ma expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and encouraged continued community support for the USCAC scholarship initiative to empower more youth in achieving their dreams and contributing to society.
“We hope this meaningful scholarship program continues to grow in reach and impact, becoming a beacon for AANHPI youth across the nation,” Jennifer concluded.
The event concluded with resounding applause and warm group photos, infusing the Memorial Day weekend with cultural pride and youthful energy.
Media Contact:
U.S.-China Association of Commerce (USCAC)
Email: info@uscac.org
Website: www.uscac.org
