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.