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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2018)
COMMUNITY May 7, 2018 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 9 Madison princess makes a difference by focusing on policy, activism By Maileen Hamto The Asian Reporter R ose Festival Court princess Stephanie Vo-Nguyen has played a key role in shaping and implementing an ethnic studies curriculum at Portland Public Schools (PPS). She represented Madison High School in PPS’ Student Advisory Council, which was formed after the school district approved a resolution to have at least one ethnic studies class in all Portland high schools. “The council ensures the presence of the student voice in the implementation process. It has been incredibly rewarding to be a part of the journey in bringing equity to our classrooms,” said Vo-Nguyen. Students who were part of the council provided feedback on planned curriculum for social studies classes. They worked on outreach and curriculum framing and created learning objectives for the ethnic studies classes, which will focus on the untold history of African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Latinxs, and indigenous communities in the United States. “It was a great experience, especially for me as an Asian American. I didn’t see myself represented in history or social studies classes throughout elementary school,” Stephanie said. “I’m excited that through this work, Portland students will have teachers who share our roots, so we can make sure our stories are heard and our voices represented.” Stephanie’s experience with the Student Advisory Council reinforced her interest in activism and public policy. More specifically, she intends to work with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon after completing her studies at the University of Oregon. “My experience made me realize that directly putting in work for change makes me feel like I’m really changing things for the better,” she said. “I believe the ACLU is MUSICIAN & ACTIVIST. The 2018 Portland Rose Festival princess representing Madison High School is Stephanie Vo-Nguyen. In the left photo, Vo-Nguyen (right) is seen with her cousin Michelle (left) at a Lunar New Year celebration. In the right photo, princess Stephanie poses with classmate Jonathan while holding a spirit tro- phy the senior class won at a pep assembly. The Portland Rose Festival’s Queen’s Coronation takes place Satur- day, June 9 at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum. (Photos courtesy of Stephanie Vo-Nguyen) a great platform for activists who truly the community of students, teachers, and administrators who are so supportive of want to end disparities.” A self-described extrovert, Vo-Nguyen is my journey.” In addition to activism, academics, and honored to represent Madison High School on the 2018 Rose Festival Court. She athletics, Stephanie is also very involved revels in Madison’s spirit-filled culture, as in music. She enjoys singing and playing demonstrated by lively and dynamic pep instruments and has spent six years rallies, including at homecoming and involved in her middle school and high athletic events. At Madison, she is a cheer- school music departments. “My love and appreciation for music and leader and serves on both the Madison the arts has only grown from the time I Singers Choir and Chamber Choir. “I’m honored to represent Madison spent in school bands and choirs,” she said. In her Rose Court speech, Stephanie because I feel like I manifest my school’s values,” she said. “I’m so happy for all the shared the gift of her lively, animated support I’ve received, and I’m grateful for personality and her long-standing need to be of service to others. “I like to make people laugh, and I like to know that everyone has a good time,” she said. “I think the reason I am this way is because I’ve always felt like exerting hap- piness onto my environment and to those around me also brings me happiness.” Her connection with Madison is a family affair, as Stephanie has numerous cousins and two older sisters who attended Madison. Her younger brother is currently a sophomore. “Being Madison’s princess is significant for me and my family. Being crowned, I made my family proud,” she said, beaming. Stephanie says she is fortunate to have strong family and community support. Her parents are first-generation immigrants from Southern Vietnam who are devoted to the success and contentment of their three children. “I celebrate my ethnic background by being with family. We speak Vietnamese, eat Vietnamese food, and practice our traditions,” she said. “When I’m spending time with my family, I’m also celebrating my ethnic identity. These are two great values coming together — my family and pride in my heritage.” 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 9 from 8:30am to 9:30am. To learn more, call (503) 227-2681 or visit <www.rosefestival.org>. Group says Asian elephants are at risk from demand for skin Continued from page 3 address the issue. “It is our intention to facilitate collaboration if possible,” she said. “I think we should pull together on this, there is no time, Myanmar is losing too many elephants, too fast.” Elephant Family puts the current size of Myanmar’s wild population at approximately 2,000. Quoting figures from Myanmar’s Forest Department, the group says wild elephant deaths there have risen significantly in recent years, from 26 in 2013 to at least 61 in 2016, most of them due to poaching. Many were found with the skin stripped from the carcasses. The timescale fits in with the appearance of elephant skin products online. “You can get quite a lot of skin off a single elephant,” said Stewart-Cox. “And if you get a single killing of 25 elephants, which is what happened one time in Give blood. To schedule a blood donation call 1-800-G IVE-LIFE or visit HelpSaveALife.org. For more information, please call 1-800-860-8747 or visit www.ndep.nih.gov. Myanmar, that’s a lot of skin.” “The ivory trade doesn’t threaten the Asian elephant as severely as it threatens the African elephant because only male Asian elephants have tusks and quite a lot of those do not have tusks anyway, or little tusks; we don’t get the really big tusks as much anymore,” she said. “This trade is targeting males, females, juveniles, and are indiscriminate, and that means that no elephant is safe.” Marcus Mariota busy with Titans newest coach, playbook Continued from page 20 look just yet either. He’s focused on learn- ing and making sure the offense is on the same page. “It’s an ongoing thing,” Mariota said. “But, I love learning and doing my best to put everything that we learn out on the field.” Once, kids played like their lives depended on it. If only kids still did. Chunky. Hefty. Big-boned. For parents of overweight children, it’s all too easy to minimize reality. But the consequences of a heavy childhood may actually result in a generation of children with shorter life spans than their parents. Encourage physical activity and better nutrition. Do whatever it takes to get your kids as active as kids once were. Activity and weight-bearing exercise will help your child live stronger, and live longer. For more advice and information, visit orthoinfo.org, aap.org/obesity and posna.org.