​The Lunar New Year Parade Festival was certainly a memorable event to attend! As a member of REACH, I was assigned to help with vehicle registration and check-in. The parking labels and sign-in sheets were already quite organized when I arrived at the scene, which made it much easier to sort the vehicles in the parade into their respective parking spots. It was a fun experience overseeing traffic on the parade streets and witnessing different parade floats get set up in creative ways. I sure enjoyed my time volunteering!

When it came time for the parade, a fellow REACH member and I hurried to change into our Chinese cultural attire. We had been offered the task of carrying the restaurant banner for Chuan Lu Garden, and we did so with great excitement. Having the pleasure of being right in the middle of the parade, I was awed by the amazing cultural representation that surrounded me on all sides. There were captivating lion dancers, synchronized martial artists, swirling dragons, and much, much, more! On both sides of the parade, it was clear to see that people of all ages, races, and backgrounds had come together to enjoy this vibrant event. The air was full of energetic exuberance and cheer. I certainly had a lot of fun at the annual Lunar New Year Festival, and I am looking forward to attending next year!

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​My initial decision to become a dragonboat captain was made on a whim, encouraged by fellow friends and family members to do it, since there was an open space and I already had some experience with the sport. I am so glad they helped push me towards that position. Although water practices and online practices were sometimes grueling and always time consuming, I learned to enjoy the time we all spent together as a team and in the end, after a very very close race, we managed to pull off a first place victory against other professional teams in our bracket. I am very grateful for my experiences as a captain and this season has definitely been very enjoyable for me. — Mike Wong

​My dragon boat experience reflects greatly on how important I feel it is to demonstrate teamwork and overall leadership I can provide to my fellow peers. After only having a year of experience, I wanted to share the joy I got with the initial experience with the rest of REACH and showing them how fun it can be to participate. Through dragon boat, it was a great way to share a unique experience with others as well as develop connections with individuals a part of the Asian community. I am glad to have explored dragon boats paths and would recommend anyone to join next year! — Kaetlyn Singh

This year many students participated in the annual Asian American Heritage Council (AAHC) Student Achiever Awards. The ceremoney took place on November 18th at the Orlando Public Library to celebrate the great accomplishments in academics, community service, and representation in culture  of all the students who applied.  

In addition, AAHC also hosted their third annual essay contest, this time giving a prompt regarding Asian protrayal in media: Based on recent media portrayal, Asian Americans and their way of life have amassed a massive number of mainstream interpretations. How do the accurate depictions of Asian American struggles influence public opinion and reflect upon your own life? How does it allow you to reconnect with your community and heritage? Ashley Ding, a junior from Lake Nona High School, won first place with her response. You can read the essay below:


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During the Bank of America Student Leaders Summit this past summer, I had the privilege of viewing a documentary called "38 at the Garden." This powerful film chronicles the journey of Jeremy Lin, an undrafted Harvard graduate who overcame discrimination and skepticism as the sole Asian American basketball player on his team. Lin's historic 2011-12 season with the New York Knicks, which ignited "Linsanity," is a key focus of the documentary, particularly when he scored 38 points against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers at Madison Square Garden, hence the film's title. By the end, I had tears in my eyes. 

This film fundamentally changed my perspective on Asian American discrimination. What makes this film particularly impactful is the representation it provided and its resonance with my own experiences. While I am definitely no NBA player, I could relate to Lin’s experiences of being perceived as passive and diminutive by his teammates and coaches. Beyond its relatability regarding the challenges Asian Americans face, the film emphasizes how Lin overcame these obstacles. His journey from couch-surfing to stardom showed everyone watching to not let society put you in a box in terms of what you can achieve. 

Upon returning from the summit, I applied these lessons to my ongoing activities. While interning at the Boys and Girls Club—a program for underprivileged youth—I encountered stereotypical remarks from some students who had never seen someone who looked like me before. Instead of responding negatively, I realized that their perceptions of me stemmed from misunderstandings, not ill intentions. I began teaching the youth about Chinese culture and language. They loved it, as “Ms. Ashley, how do you say this in Chinese?” became a common question at the Club.

Additionally, I organized the inaugural Multicultural Expo in Taft, Florida. This unique event brought together hundreds of students, parents, staff, and community members. Nine countries were represented,  all with kids presenting. I showcased China, with an informative presentation and jiaozi for everyone to try. Students, parents, staff, and even the local police officers gathered in this family-based event. Everyone left the event with a smile on their face and new knowledge. I left the event with a rekindled appreciation for my culture through sharing it with others.

As Co-President of REACH of Central Florida, I am committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates and spreads awareness of Asian culture. Through helping organize events such as the Asian Cultural Festival or the Dragon Boat Festival, I’m committed to facilitating cross-cultural connections in the diverse Orlando community.

38 at the Garden was one of the most moving films I have ever watched. Lin's success extended beyond his athletic abilities; it was his unwavering confidence that truly inspired people, including me. By teaching others about my culture, I hope to promote a deeper understanding and discourage stereotyping. I aspire to channel my own version of “Linsanity”, in which we can all recognize that societal perceptions should not limit us from making our mark on this world.

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By Meira Lee
This year’s dragon boat season began in mid-August. Shortly after the Captain election, our team was created with a handful of new paddlers. Throughout August, September, and October, our team trained through online and in-person practices. With the guidance of an experienced paddler, C.K. Lau, our team was quick to adapt to the new environment. As captains, it was our responsibility to make sure our team understood the necessary commands and was comfortable with the rigorous activity. Despite the unexpected delays, we were able to participate in the annual GWN Dragon Boat race. We were grateful to have this opportunity to partake in the competitive atmosphere that the race offers. Many of our paddlers enjoyed their time on the team and we are excited about what next year’s season will bring.

This was my first time as a captain and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. After being a paddler for the past two years, I’m glad that I was able to teach other paddlers what I’ve learned and also improve my own paddling skills. I definitely think that as captain, I was able to exercise my leadership skills and punctuality. I hope to continue as the team’s captain in the future and strengthen the skills I’ve learned along the way. 

Click here for some photos from the season!