As I sat in my 8th-grade homeroom class listening to my teacher give instructions on our final community service project, something sparked within as I finished my notes and rushed to my next period. Following the route of making PSAs for recycling and bullying was not enough to impact our community on a larger scale. I wanted to bring my ideas to life by organizing a team that would focus on making an impact on the community close to my heart. That’s when I came up with “Pencils for Peers”. “Pencils for Peers” was a project where I would collect school supplies and donate them to a children’s foster care home. This specific community did not receive a lot of support, yet when I read letters from children waiting for hope, something had to be done. From contacting a foster home to creating posters, setting up donation boxes, doing presentations, and delivering over 400 supplies, everything was set. Although it was challenging, seeing smiles on their faces and warmth in their eyes was the most satisfying reward; it reassured me that my efforts were worthwhile. Through this project, I learned how to be open-minded to others’ ideas. Not only did I make a difference in someone's life, but I've also built bonds with people who share the same passion to better the world. I learned that I had to be resourceful and adaptable. Even though it has been years since I first got involved in leading projects, I have not stopped yet. I fell in love with this activity as time went on, so in high school, I applied for multiple positions in various clubs to work directly with our school and community. I am always trying to improve my skills to help people live better lives.

When I was younger, I was indifferent about learning my culture and traditions. Now that I think back to it, while my immigrant parents were not assimilated to American culture, I was. Rejecting my religion and identity was one of the greatest mistakes and regrets. I realized that it was essential to embrace it instead of pushing it away. I did not want others to be ashamed or ignorant as I was, so I tried to guide them in an environment with people who felt the same way. Through a Buddhist Cultural Center, I am able to help my community of young Asian Americans understand and appreciate Vietnamese culture better as a youth leader. I first joined the cultural center to develop my native language and learn about Buddhism. Over time, I became more involved and was promoted to leader. I help kids learn Vietnamese while teaching lessons about Buddhism too. Since I'm the youngest leader, I act as a facilitator and help resolve issues or address concerns that students may have. My contributions give kids my age and younger a chance to express themselves and reconnect with their background while enriching the community with Vietnamese culture. This is the most meaningful work that I can relate to personally. Even though the workload can be heavy and time-consuming, every moment is worth it as new experiences are gained and lifelong friends are made. I am growing and learning with my mentees at the same time. The feedback from kids saying that they love what we are doing is encouraging. Wanting to be more involved, they begin to help out too. More people are informed about our purpose and become very supportive. Helping the next generation of youths appreciate their backgrounds and more communities in need is my greatest accomplishment.