Asian American youth are challenged to learn how to balance their cultural traditions with “mainstream” expectations.  As result, sometimes it may leave them ill prepared to effectively navigate through the accepted “norms” of our society. For example, reserving their opinion may be expected at home but at school, Asian American youth are expected to fully participate in class.  In response to this challenge, the YWCA/NYC Flushing Branch is proud to present the YWCA Asian American Youth Speech Competition 2000 on May 13, 2000 to promote public speaking among Asian American youth in grades 9-12.  This event is also a part of RE.A.D.: Reaching the American Dream, the YWCA Literacy Campaign, a promotion of English literacy targeting the immigrant community.

As 96% of Asian American youth in New York State live in households with foreign-born parents, their unique challenges are characterized by the stress of cultural adaptation especially in the areas of self-expression.  The Asian American Youth Speech Competition 2000 timely presented during Asian American Heritage Month will challenge Asian American youth to express their opinions on pre-selected topics composed after a survey taken from 200 Asian American high school students.  The YWCA Committee for Youth Education and Development (CYED), a group of dedicated volunteer Asian American professionals has been working untiringly to provide the best possible event in which we hope will become an annual event for the community.  The competition will consist of two rounds where the first round will have the CYED screen all applications and choose three finalists per grade (9-12). The remaining finalists will then compete within their own grade group in front of a large peer audience on May 13^th and be judged by a panel of distinguished judges that represent the diversity and growing influence of the Asian American community.

 

Other FACTS:

·     The first 150 applicants who do not become finalists will become peer judges and will vote for their favorite student in the contest.  The winning student will get a special Young People’s Choice Award. Every peer judge will receive a Peer Judge certificate!

·     Sponsored by Abacus Savings Bank.  The YWCA is still avidly seeking additional sponsorship.

·     Gifts will be given to every youth member of the audience on May 13^th

·     Kids can download applications at http://www.asian-life.com/ywca or be requested by calling the YWCA

·     The contest is in May to celebrate Asian American History Month

·     Application Deadline: Must be postmarked by April 19^th

Judges:

Ms. Mae Cheng, Reporter, Newsday

Ms. Sidney Hodges, Internship Coordinator, High School for Health Professions and Human Services

Mr. Hugo Mahabir, Chair, South Asian Youth Action!; Diversity Coordinator, Fieldston School

Mr. Tai Park, Of Counsel, Sherman & Sterling, former AUSA, Southern District of New York

Mr. Alex Tsui, DDS, Chair, Asian Professional Extension,