Greetings and welcome to the NAAAP Boston Annual Scholarship Gala! The National Association of Asian American Professionals-Boston Chapter is proud to be honoring the recipients of our Future Leaders Awards. For 2011, we are awarding two $3,500 scholarships to two very deserving students!

Tonight, we are celebrating our 22nd year of our Scholarship Program. Over the past 22 years, we have built a reputation as the premiere Asian American scholarship program in the greater Boston area. The accomplishments of the students are a testament to the success of the program. And in these difficult economic times, NAAAP Boston's commitment to our future leaders is stronger than ever. In total, we have awarded over $120,000 o 68 Asian American high school seniors. And this is all possible because of the support of our members, sponsors and the community.

We have a great program tonight - our keynote, Dongsup Samuel Kim, is the Senior Program Director at the Emmanual Gospel Center in Boston. He is also a former NAAAP Boston President from 2005 to 2006, and Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2007 to 2008, and was a corporate attorney at Gesmer Updegrove LLP. In addition, Eliza Leung of the Lee Family will talk about the Richard T.N. Lee Scholarship Fund. And you will hear to the students talk about their inspiring backgrounds and visions of their future.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the officers, board of directors and committee directors of NAAAP Boston. Their passion and leadership make NAAAP Boston one of the largest and fastest growing Pan-Asian organizations in the North America. I want to give special thanks to the Scholarship Committee, whose extraordinary efforts has made tonight's event possible. I also want to express our tremendous appreciation to our Corporate Sponsors for their generous support for the organization and the Gala. Lastly, I want to thank you for your continuing support and commitment to NAAAP Boston.

Enjoy the evening's festivities!

Sincerely yours,

Samson Lee
President and CEO 

Born out of grassroots fundraising efforts by NAAAP Boston members 22 years ago, the NAAAP Boston Future Leaders Scholarship began from donations from members who shared a commitment in building a strong foundation of future Asian American leaders from the ranks of deserving graduating high school seniors.

Today, the NAAAP Boston Scholarship Committee owes its tremendous success to the charitable support of individual donors and corporate sponsors such as Liberty Mutual, The Richard T.N. Lee Scholarship Fund, and Ocean Spray. It is through their generosity that the NAAAP Boston Future Leaders Awards have become the premier local Asian American Scholarship.

In 2011, the NAAAP Boston Scholarship Committee is awarding a total of $7,000 in college scholarships to two outstanding local graduating high school seniors. These NAAAP Boston Future Leaders Scholars were selected based on academic achievement, a commitment to community service, and leadership excellence.

Born out of grassroots fundraising efforts by NAAAP Boston members 22 years ago, the NAAAP Boston Future Leaders Scholarship began from donations from members who shared a commitment in building a strong foundation of future Asian American leaders from the ranks of deserving graduating high school seniors.

Today, the NAAAP Boston Scholarship Committee owes its tremendous success to the charitable support of individual donors and corporate sponsors such as Liberty Mutual, The Richard T.N. Lee Scholarship Fund, and Ocean Spray. It is through their generosity that the NAAAP Boston Future Leaders Awards have become the premier local Asian American Scholarship.

In 2011, the NAAAP Boston Scholarship Committee is awarding a total of $7,000 in college scholarships to two outstanding local graduating high school seniors. These NAAAP Boston Future Leaders Scholars were selected based on academic achievement, a commitment to community service, and leadership excellence.

Sandy Liang of Boston Latin School (The NAAAP-Boston Liberty Mutual Future Leader Scholarship Award Winner), who will be attending Harvard University in the Fall.

Justin Lin of Josiah Quincy Upper School (The NAAAP-Boston Richard T.N. Lee Future Leader Scholarship Award Winner), who will be attending Framingham State University in the Fall. 

Sandy Liang of Boston Latin School (The NAAAP-Boston Liberty Mutual Future Leader Scholarship Award Winner), who will be attending Harvard University in the Fall.

Justin Lin of Josiah Quincy Upper School (The NAAAP-Boston Richard T.N. Lee Future Leader Scholarship Award Winner), who will be attending Framingham State University in the Fall. 

Founded in 2010, the Richard T.N. Lee Scholarship Fund is a memorial scholarship fund to support deserving high school seniors in their pursuit of obtaining higher education.

About Mr. Richard T.N. Lee:
Mr. Lee grew up in a rural village in southern China and arrived in the United States at age 13 to join his father's hand laundry business in Watertown. His mother stayed behind, and money was sent home to support the extended family in China. he did not speak English when he arrived, and was put into a kindergarten class. He made it to second grade, when, in his mid-teens, he left his studies to work with his father. The 12-hour workdays six days a week were something Mr. Lee got used to as a teenager, after he joined his father's laundry business, to help keep the immigrant family afloat financially.

When the United States entered World War II, he joined the US Army, serving stateside. When asked later why he never took vacations, he would often say that he had seen enough of the country during his Army days.

He went back to China in 1947 and was introduced to his future bride, Chou B.K. They were both 21 when they married, and their honeymoon was a boat ride from Hong Kong to San Francisco. A train brought them to Boston, and they settled into a home in Chinatown in the 1950's.

Mr. Lee worked at Cathay House, a bustling restaurant in Chinatown, and would quietly mention to family members the celebrities he served during his years there. He later worked at Fantasy Island in Salem, where he became a manager. After more than a half century in the restaurant industry, Mr. Lee retired at age 72.

His legacy is a typical immigrant coming over, going back to China to get a bride, coming back, working hard, raising a family, to get better housing, better education for his kids, trying to push them in the right direction, have grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and sons Paul and Thomas, Mr. Lee left a daughter, Elizabeth W.W., of Brookline; three grandsons; and four granddaughters.

Mr. Richard T.N. Lee had always been an avid supporter of education.

Founded in 2010, the Richard T.N. Lee Scholarship Fund is a memorial scholarship fund to support deserving high school seniors in their pursuit of obtaining higher education.

About Mr. Richard T.N. Lee:
Mr. Lee grew up in a rural village in southern China and arrived in the United States at age 13 to join his father's hand laundry business in Watertown. His mother stayed behind, and money was sent home to support the extended family in China. he did not speak English when he arrived, and was put into a kindergarten class. He made it to second grade, when, in his mid-teens, he left his studies to work with his father. The 12-hour workdays six days a week were something Mr. Lee got used to as a teenager, after he joined his father's laundry business, to help keep the immigrant family afloat financially.

When the United States entered World War II, he joined the US Army, serving stateside. When asked later why he never took vacations, he would often say that he had seen enough of the country during his Army days.

He went back to China in 1947 and was introduced to his future bride, Chou B.K. They were both 21 when they married, and their honeymoon was a boat ride from Hong Kong to San Francisco. A train brought them to Boston, and they settled into a home in Chinatown in the 1950's.

Mr. Lee worked at Cathay House, a bustling restaurant in Chinatown, and would quietly mention to family members the celebrities he served during his years there. He later worked at Fantasy Island in Salem, where he became a manager. After more than a half century in the restaurant industry, Mr. Lee retired at age 72.

His legacy is a typical immigrant coming over, going back to China to get a bride, coming back, working hard, raising a family, to get better housing, better education for his kids, trying to push them in the right direction, have grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and sons Paul and Thomas, Mr. Lee left a daughter, Elizabeth W.W., of Brookline; three grandsons; and four granddaughters.

Mr. Richard T.N. Lee had always been an avid supporter of education.

Sam Kim is currently the Senior Program Director of Emmanuel Gospel Center; Project Director of the Youth Violence Systems Project; and Executive Vice President & Board member of Boston's Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC).

After serving as a naval officer during the first Persian Gulf conflict, Sam attended Cornell Law School and earned his J.D. in 1996. For over 15 years, he practiced business law and provided strategic advice and counsel to organizations of diverse size, stage, and mission. Sam was a partner at the law firm of Gesmer Updegrove LLP prior to being convinced to apply his experience and skill sets toward full-time public service and joining the Emmanuel Gospel Center staff in 2009. Sam was also the past President and Board Chairman of the National Association of Asian American Professionals-Boston. He was a principle force in the growth of the organization.

Sam has diverse knowledge and experience in leading and facilitating complex transactions and diverse groups through their various transition stages toward common goals. Sam has been recognized and has spoken at many events and forums on issues of leadership, entrepreneurship, community service and faith.

Sam Kim is currently the Senior Program Director of Emmanuel Gospel Center; Project Director of the Youth Violence Systems Project; and Executive Vice President & Board member of Boston's Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC).

After serving as a naval officer during the first Persian Gulf conflict, Sam attended Cornell Law School and earned his J.D. in 1996. For over 15 years, he practiced business law and provided strategic advice and counsel to organizations of diverse size, stage, and mission. Sam was a partner at the law firm of Gesmer Updegrove LLP prior to being convinced to apply his experience and skill sets toward full-time public service and joining the Emmanuel Gospel Center staff in 2009. Sam was also the past President and Board Chairman of the National Association of Asian American Professionals-Boston. He was a principle force in the growth of the organization.

Sam has diverse knowledge and experience in leading and facilitating complex transactions and diverse groups through their various transition stages toward common goals. Sam has been recognized and has spoken at many events and forums on issues of leadership, entrepreneurship, community service and faith.

Justin Lin grew up in the Boston area his whole life. Being around the South End / Chinatown neighborhood, he attended the Josiah Quincy Schools for 13 years. He is a graduate of the Josiah Quincy Upper School. Justin owes much of his leadership and academic success to a program called Minds Matter. This wonderful program aided him with his SATs and the college application process. This program also encouraged him to reach out of his comfort zone and to explore academic areas that he would not have had the opportunity to do so. In 2009, he attended a summer school program with undergraduate students at Harvard University, taking a Marine Biology course for seven weeks.

During the summer of 2010, he enrolled at Phillips Exeter Academy's summer program. This required him to live on campus for five weeks and to be away from his parents for the first time. Initially, he was very nervous. Over the course of these five weeks, his sense of independence grew. He made new friends in classes such as Geometry, Psychology, and English Literature classes, as well as during his free time around campus. It was a summer in which he found who he was.

Currently, Justin is a junior instructor at the Chinese Merchants Association of Boston. He teaches kung fu and lion dance to younger students. He has been with this program since 2005 and has taught for four years. Through teaching younger students this ancient Chinese art, he was inspired to become an educator at the elementary school level. He has been accepted to Framingham State University to study elementary education. "I am now chasing my dreams in becoming a successful and engaged teacher." Through the aid of the Richard T.N. Lee NAAAP Boston Scholarship, Justin will make that dream into a reality.

Justin Lin grew up in the Boston area his whole life. Being around the South End / Chinatown neighborhood, he attended the Josiah Quincy Schools for 13 years. He is a graduate of the Josiah Quincy Upper School. Justin owes much of his leadership and academic success to a program called Minds Matter. This wonderful program aided him with his SATs and the college application process. This program also encouraged him to reach out of his comfort zone and to explore academic areas that he would not have had the opportunity to do so. In 2009, he attended a summer school program with undergraduate students at Harvard University, taking a Marine Biology course for seven weeks.

During the summer of 2010, he enrolled at Phillips Exeter Academy's summer program. This required him to live on campus for five weeks and to be away from his parents for the first time. Initially, he was very nervous. Over the course of these five weeks, his sense of independence grew. He made new friends in classes such as Geometry, Psychology, and English Literature classes, as well as during his free time around campus. It was a summer in which he found who he was.

Currently, Justin is a junior instructor at the Chinese Merchants Association of Boston. He teaches kung fu and lion dance to younger students. He has been with this program since 2005 and has taught for four years. Through teaching younger students this ancient Chinese art, he was inspired to become an educator at the elementary school level. He has been accepted to Framingham State University to study elementary education. "I am now chasing my dreams in becoming a successful and engaged teacher." Through the aid of the Richard T.N. Lee NAAAP Boston Scholarship, Justin will make that dream into a reality.

Born in Boston, Sandy currently lives in Allston-Brighton. She is a graduate of the Boston Latin School. Simply put, Sandy Liang embodies both academic excellence while possessing a dedication to helping those around her.

Earlier in her life, the caring adults at the Honan-Allston Library were always there to provide her the academic support that she needed to flourish. Everyday, Sandy would go to the library to get aid. When she grew older, Sandy wanted to give back by founding the Homework Assistance Program (HAP) at the library. The following year, she became the Library Captain for the Honan-Allston Branch, specializing in creating projects to add to the Branch's programming for the overall community's benefit.

At Boston Latin School, Sandy became an external liaison for the Wolfpack Volunteers, currently the school's biggest club. Their mission is to engage students in community service and to show them that volunteering can be fun. Her job is to find volunteer opportunities and to contact event coordinators to arrange for their volunteers to be at the event.

Other leadership opportunities followed: Currently, Sandy is the Allston-Brighton Representative on the Mayor's Youth Council. Last summer, she was a Bank of America Student leader, having the opportunity to see how a non-profit works from behind-the-scenes by interning at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.

Her parents instilled in her that if you want to change, you have to be the first to create it. And create it, she already has. The NAAAP Boston Liberty Mutual Scholarship will certainly help her in continuing her journey. For this, she is very thankful. This Fall, Sandy will be attending Harvard University.

Born in Boston, Sandy currently lives in Allston-Brighton. She is a graduate of the Boston Latin School. Simply put, Sandy Liang embodies both academic excellence while possessing a dedication to helping those around her.

Earlier in her life, the caring adults at the Honan-Allston Library were always there to provide her the academic support that she needed to flourish. Everyday, Sandy would go to the library to get aid. When she grew older, Sandy wanted to give back by founding the Homework Assistance Program (HAP) at the library. The following year, she became the Library Captain for the Honan-Allston Branch, specializing in creating projects to add to the Branch's programming for the overall community's benefit.

At Boston Latin School, Sandy became an external liaison for the Wolfpack Volunteers, currently the school's biggest club. Their mission is to engage students in community service and to show them that volunteering can be fun. Her job is to find volunteer opportunities and to contact event coordinators to arrange for their volunteers to be at the event.

Other leadership opportunities followed: Currently, Sandy is the Allston-Brighton Representative on the Mayor's Youth Council. Last summer, she was a Bank of America Student leader, having the opportunity to see how a non-profit works from behind-the-scenes by interning at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.

Her parents instilled in her that if you want to change, you have to be the first to create it. And create it, she already has. The NAAAP Boston Liberty Mutual Scholarship will certainly help her in continuing her journey. For this, she is very thankful. This Fall, Sandy will be attending Harvard University.