Community
June 5, 2017
THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11
Empathy, compassion incites
Metro East princess to serve others
By Maileen Hamto
The Asian Reporter
ecognizing the importance of
helping girls and young women
sustain friendships by resolving
conflict in a constructive way, Madisyn
Montgomery has been working on growing
a movement to “revolutionize kindness.”
Long before she had an opportunity to be
part of the 2017 Portland Rose Festival
Court as the Metro East princess, Madisyn
created and founded Continue To Find
Kindness. At age 11, she was inspired to
help young girls recognize and resolve
bullying.
“I’ve witnessed friends and strangers
alike experience harassment without the
guidance or self-confidence to stand up
against mean behavior,” said Madisyn,
“It’s extremely hurtful to see not only a
lack of kindness, but pure cruelty take
place without anyone to stop it.”
Madisyn was in the fourth grade when
she addressed her first audience. She was
humbled and inspired by the response.
“I still treasure a package of letters
handwritten from my first presentation at
my old elementary school,” she said. “They
shared their appreciation, improved
understanding, and newfound confidence
to tackle the ‘mean girl’ phenomenon.”
Fast forward six years, and Continue To
Find Kindness has grown to include nine
additional board members. Together,
Madisyn and her colleagues have spoken
to more than 2,000 students throughout
Oregon. They inform, teach, and inspire
young girls to prevent social conflict by
learning how to defend themselves and
others against bullying. Madisyn finds
great satisfaction in connecting with
young people first-hand and seeing the
results of their work in self-confident
youth with newfound tools to confront
bullying.
Compassion and empathy guide Madi-
syn’s service for her school and commu-
nity. In fact, her focus on serving others
extends beyond the infrastructure she has
built around Continue To Find Kindness.
She also volunteers as a peer counsellor for
OUTGOING ORGANIZER. The 2017 Portland Rose Festival Metro East princess is Madisyn Montgom-
ery, a junior at Oregon City High School. Montgomery (left photo) is seen with cousins Kylee and Chloe (middle
photo) on March 22 after she was announced as her school’s representative. In the right photo, Madisyn gives
a presentation at Riverside Elementary School for Continue To Find Kindness, an organization she created and
founded to help young girls recognize and resolve bullying. The Portland Rose Festival’s Queen’s Coronation
takes place Saturday, June 10 at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Youthline, a teen-crisis hotline that ments.”
Madisyn credits the strong support of
provides
free,
anonymous,
and
confidential emotional support for young her family in encouraging her continued
service. Being part Cambodian, she also
people around the globe.
“The ability to turn someone’s day appreciates the opportunity to learn about
around during one phone call or exchange Khmer culture through food, traditions,
of texts is beyond humbling and fulfilling. and family gatherings.
“Like many cultures, our family is very
Despite the struggles we face in life,
Youthline is an incredible support system large. In fact, my younger brother is the
that listens when no one else will,” 26th grandchild to my mom’s mother!” said
Madisyn. “The bustling family get-togeth-
Madisyn said.
In addition to service work, Madisyn is ers are always something I look forward to
president of the Oregon Association of Stu- with an abundance of personality and
dent Councils, where she works with eight food.”
Madisyn said she is “extremely honored”
other student leaders representing vari-
ous regions of Oregon to develop and in- to represent Metro East and Oregon City
High School on this year’s Rose Festival
spire students to become effective leaders.
“I take pride in being a part of this Court. Over the past months, she has
organization, as I have grown significantly accumulated many new memories with
since my first summer camp going into my her “sister princesses” at countless
freshman year,” she said. “I have learned community events and appearances.
“I am constantly looking forward to the
so much about myself and my potential
that has surely propelled me through next adventure! Everywhere from the
challenges and in reaching my achieve- adidas village to the Doernbecher
Photo courtesy of Madisyn Montgomery
Photo courtesy of Madisyn Montgomery
Photo/Prince Charming Photography
R
Children’s Hospital, I am continually
intrigued and happy to have the ability to
share the Rose Festival celebration with
all,” she said.
A Rose Festival princess represents her school
and acts as the “face of the Rose Festival” at many
events in the community, including parades, volunteer
activities, luncheons with community and business
leaders, and more. The Portland Rose Festival
Foundation awards each court member a $3,500
scholarship, courtesy of The Randall Group.
To qualify for the Rose Festival Court, a candidate
must be a full-time junior or senior at a 4A, 5A,
or 6A high school in Multnomah, Washington, or
Clackamas county and have a minimum cumulative
grade point average of 3.0. Potential princesses are
evaluated on citizenship, scholastic achievement,
school activities, civic involvement, volunteer projects,
communication skills, and overall impression.
The Portland Rose Festival Queen is chosen from
all of the court members at Portland’s Veterans
Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, June 10 from
8:30am to 9:30am. To learn more, call (503)
227-2681 or visit <www.rosefestival.org>.
Asian players now in nearly every division in the majors
MAJOR-LEAGUE TALENT. Outfielder
Shin-Soo Choo (left photo) of the Texas Rangers
safely reaches second base in a Major League Base-
ball (MLB) game against the Philadelphia Phillies in
Arlington, Texas. Unlike most Asian players, Korea-
born Choo has spent his entire pro career in America.
In the right photo, Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Koji
Uehara pitches during the seventh inning of a MLB
game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh. The
Cubs bolstered its bullpen this year with Uehara, who
has pitched for four different MLB clubs since coming
from Nippon Professional Baseball in 2009.
can help them get there, too.
The Seattle Mariners, in the same
division, have imported plenty of Japanese
talent, including Hisashi Iwakuma. His
solid but unspectacular numbers during
10 NPB seasons meant his 2012 signing
was overshadowed by the Darvish
acquisition. Yet Iwakuma has won 17
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Unlike
most
Asian
players,
the
Korea-born Choo has spent his entire pro
career in America. He played his peak
years with Cleveland, and his performance
has declined since he came to Texas in
2014. Injuries sidelined him, and his
power has largely vanished, but his
batting eye remains sharp, so he can still
be a force for Texas — if he can stay
healthy.
Yu Darvish has had similar injury woes,
though he’s been far more productive when
healthy. One of the most widely
anticipated NPB arrivals ever, Darvish
joined the Rangers in 2012, continuing his
stellar career with three straight all-star
seasons, including 2013, when he led the
majors with 277 strikeouts.
Tommy John surgery knocked Darvish
out for part of 2014 and all of 2015, and
neck and back problems dogged him when
he returned in 2016. If he’s healthy, Dar-
vish and his unhittable pitching repertoire
can lead Texas back to the playoffs.
Also in the American League West, the
Houston Astros have a rarity in Norichika
Aoki, an Asian position player who has
endured in MLB. Aoki has played for five
teams in five seasons, bringing his speed,
ability to get on base, and good outfield
defense. He made it to the World Series
with the Royals in 2014; Houston hopes he
AP Photo/LM Otero
Continued from page 7
more games than Darvish through 2016,
thanks to good health and exceptional
control. These important traits should
ensure the 36-year-old remains a valuable
player for several more seasons.
The New York Yankees in the American
League East have had some high-profile
eastern busts, but the 2014 acquisition of
Masahiro Tanaka has been successful
through 2016. A top-notch NPB starting
pitcher, Tanaka amassed a 39-16 record
over three seasons in Yankee pinstripes,
with an excellent 3.12 ERA and
outstanding control. Tanaka has been the
Yankees’ most dependable starting
pitcher; they hope he’ll lead them back to
their championship ways.
Last season’s resilience award goes to
KBO veteran Hyun-soo Kim of the
Baltimore Orioles in the American League
East. After a poor spring training in his
first Orioles season, Kim refused a
minor-league assignment, preferring
instead to work out his problems on the
major-league bench. His decision paid off,
as he worked his way into the starting
lineup with a patient, high-contact
approach. His skill and determination
have ensured him a spot in the 2017
starting lineup.
Whether they’re playing for contenders
or also-rans, Asian MLB players are
making a difference across the league,
lifting the hopes of Asian-American sports
fans nationwide.