in loving remembrance...

So today makes one year. One year since the day that changed all our lives. One year since all of us, wherever we were, got phone calls that we'll never forget.

And as this Foundation and all of our hopes and dreams to honor our parents' legacy are slowly coming into being, we take this anniversary as a chance to take another step towards, not moving on, but moving forward.

There is a place in my heart that will always be empty, that can never ever be filled, but today the rest of my heart is filled with solace and no small amount of joy that we can announce our first scholarship. Here are details from the application (click to download):

The Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Foundation is pleased to announce the following scholarship opportunity for students currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university.

The scholarship is $1,000 for the 2006-2007 academic year. Applicants must have worked in an Asian restaurant or have at least one parent having worked in an Asian restaurant. Graduate students as well as undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.

General Scholarship/Grant Eligibility:
To be considered for the above scholarship, requirements include:
1.    Applicants must be have worked in an Asian restaurant or have at least one parent having worked in an Asian restaurant.
2.    Preference will go to students with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.
3.    The applicant must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university.

Application Process:
All applicants must submit the following:
1.    Scholarship Application (see attached)
2.    Current Resume
3.    Personal Statement/Proposal (500 word maximum, double spaced, include name and word count at the top of essay) that addresses one or more of the following areas:

□    What does it mean to you to have worked in an Asian restaurant or to be a child of an Asian or Asian-American restaurant worker? How does it impact your role as an effective future leader?
□    How has growing up as a worker in an Asian restaurant or a child of an Asian or Asian-American restaurant worker impacted your outlook on society?

All applications will be reviewed based on excellence in academic accomplishment, extracurricular activities/community services, and the overall quality of the application. Finalists will be asked to provide a certified transcript verifying current enrollment.

Application Deadline:
The application must be emailed by 7 pm EST, December 15, 2006.  In order to conserve paper, only electronic applications will be accepted. Complete applications must be submitted as a Word document by email to: info at skacfoundation dot org

Please contact by e-mail if you have questions.

Scholarship recipients will receive verbal notification followed by a confirmation letter.  All decisions are made by the foundation and are final.

UPDATE: Please note that the deadline has been changed to DECEMBER 15th, and that transcripts will only be required of finalists.

Comments

[Paulina Ho]

Hi Calvin

I barely got on this website today, and i'm so touched by your story and am so amazed that you started this foundation. The relevance of this foundation to the Asian community will really open this generation's eyes in order to successfully engage themselves as leaders and amongst other issues. i lost my brother a few months ago, and it was also very sudden. it's so hard to lose someone so close to you, to lose a family member. i still struggle with it every day. I wish i could do something in his rememberance as you have with your father, but i don't even know where to start! but seeing you do this has really inspired me. As long as we don't forget them, their spirits are still with us and theyre at peace now. I wish all the best to you and your family, and stay strong!

-Paulina

[Calvin]

Paulina,

I'm deeply touched by your story and words of support and understand that daily stuggle you must be going through missing your brother.

Reaching just one person like you or helping one student this year, makes us feel Dad's still with us and that our parents' life's work can continue. We hope the Foundation can live up to them as a tribute and to the admiration and respect that you and others have honored us with.

The Foundation is of the community as well as for the community.

Thanks.