Let’s go back in time when I first performed for the Asian American Student Intercollegiate Association (AASIA’s Annual Date Auction) which happened in my sophomore year of college! We were fundraising for UNAVSA’s CPP beneficiary which was VietHope. But, it meant so much more than just fundraising for an organization. It was the time when my seed of confidence started to hatch. That year I had began to get involved with XUAA (Xavier University Asian Association) as Webmaster by utilizing my photoshop skills from designing our t-shirts and logo to whipping up our general meeting flyers and events. By doing these, I felt much part of a community that I always would like to give back to my community.
Below is my XUAA eboard introduction video and a picture of my first performance at Date Auction that year (Viewer discretion advised):
Okay so fast forward to this year! Many things have DEFINITELY changed!
The amount of donations for CPP keeps on increasing year after year! The most money that an autionee would raise five years ago would be around $200.00 USD. But, now, the highest this year was as nearly as $1000.00 USD! It really makes me happy to see that we collectively are making an effort to support a cause that we all are passionate about. I believe that we now capable of contributing back more as we become more aware of CPP. In result, this year’s AASIA Date Auction raised a total of $8490.00 USD for FoodAid Compassion!
Gulf Coast has now a UVSA! Every after UNAVSA conference, there would be always a discussion of why we do not have one. After many years of debating, it came down to a common factor: passion. A friend have always told me, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it!” That friend is now the President of UVSA Gulf Coast, Laura Siu. During our time as Gulf Coast CoRR, we’ve always wanted our region to become more united and to have access to resources in order to improve our VSAs. It would not have happened if I didn’t ask her and UVSA Gulf Coast’s current Secretary Victoria Tran to go to UNAVSA in Minneapolis with me. We all had the same vision. We all had the desire for change within our community. It’s actually happening!
I am proud to be UNAVSA’s Secretary! Compared to five years ago, I would not have been the person today if it was not for the obstacles that I had faced and the support from my loved ones who helped me through them. When it came to hearing constructive criticism, I didn’t take them too well. But, I learned that honesty will help you to grow. I’m not saying that you should believe everything people tell you, or to try to live up to their expectations of yourself. Instead, be honest with yourself. Believe in yourself. Love yourself. It took me a while to get comfortable in my own skin, and I’ve finally found happiness within myself. And that is why my personal goal for this term is to help you become more confident in who you are and what you do for yourself, for your VSA, for your region, for UNAVSA.
Now, that I’ve got sexier dance moves, bigger hair, and a brighter smile; I’m closer to bringing my region and other regions within UNAVSA closer together into one big family.
P.S. Shout out to my XULAVA babies:
P.S.S. Congratulations to AASIA’s Chairwoman, Gina Moon, for graduating today from the University of New Orleans!
