Here's a little about each of this year's recipients:
Musfikur Rahman:
In his application, Musfikur wrote eloquently about his own journey and political development in becoming a socially conscious young person - caring about and advocating for the civil rights of African Americans and other people of color. He also organized and introduced these issues to others in the National Honor Society at school.
Amber Ramos:
Through a family member being diagnosed with a condition, she has been motivated to spread awareness of individuals with special needs and how we can support them. She volunteered her time to provide a safe space for this community. We are so inspired and moved by Amber’s devotion to this effort. Amber has chosen to study occupational therapy at the University of Buffalo.
Kelly Peng Zheng:
In her application Kelly wrote about her leadership as the President of LEO, organizing fundraisers for UNICEF to help children around the globe who are in need - especially those affected by health disparities due to the COVID pandemic. She would like to see change in the healthcare industry, making it more accessible to people globally. She also made recycled paper artwork -helping to promote environmentalism. She showed her work at MoMA.
Weitang Tan:
We are so impressed with her commitment and dedication to serving the community. As a member of the Leo club, Weitang worked as a Chinese-English translator at Parent Teacher Conferences and prepared and distributed lunches for the homeless. She has also contributed her time to Chimerica Women by donating food and COVID PPE. Weitang has also volunteered on a political campaign and performed community outreach. Weitang plans on studying electrical and computer engineering at the University of Rochester.
Congratulations to our 2023 Virginia Yu Fund for Social & Economic Justice Scholarship recipients - Weiting Tan, Kelly Peng-Zheng, Amber Ramos and Musfikur Rahman!
Congrats to the 2022 awardees of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social & Economic Justice scholarship this year - Kadiatou Diallo and Xi Chen!!!
Board Member Nelson Mar and 2022 scholarship recipient Kadiatou Diallo
Board Member Nelson Mar and 2022 scholarship recipient Xi Chen
Congratulations to Fernando Gutierrez and Jianxin Li, the 2021 Scholarship Recipients!
Congratulations to Fernando Gutierrez and Jianxin Li, the 2021 Scholarship recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social & Economic Justice Fund!
Fernando Camarillo Gutierrez is a student that embodies the spirit of this scholarship as demonstrated by him sharing his story on the Latinx viewpoints leading up to the 2020 presidential election as well as being a student ambassador and peer mentor for new students. His desire to fight and stand for immigrant rights also resonates with the mission of the scholarship. He will be attending Middlebury College.
Jianxin Li is the second recipient of the scholarship. She has volunteered her time to various causes including serving as director of the LEO Club. She has also served as student ambassador and a translator as well as being an assistant teacher at a Chinese school. Jianxin will be going to Brooklyn College to study education. She says she wants to be a teacher.
Congratulations to both Fernando and Jianxin!
Congratulations to the entire class of 2021! It's been a tough 16 months but you all made it!
Video of the graduation (go to 24:25 to see Sheila Yu-Chen (Virginia Yu's sister award presentation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oLfd3SZp0E
Congratulations to the 2020 Recipient of the Virginia Yu Fund Scholarship: Irina Konnova
We hope everyone is doing okay during these very challenging times of dual pandemics - COVID-19 and white supremacy.
Congratulations to Irina Konnova for being this year’s recipient of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social and Economic Justice Scholarship!
Congratulations to the 2019 Recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund Scholarship: Eliana Zheng & Linxin Jiang
Congratulations to the 2019 Recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social and Economic Justice Scholarship:
Eliana Zheng
Linxin Jiang
Congratulations to the 2018 Scholarship Recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social & Economic Justice Fund
Congratulations to the 2017 Scholarship Recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social & Economic Justice
On June 27th we awarded 2 Virginia Yu Fund for Social & Economic Justice scholarships to 2 graduating students - Zhuofan Huang & Abiha Haider from LES Preparatory High School. Nelson Mar & Sheila Yu-Chen, board members of the Fund handed out each student a $1000 scholarship. Congratulations to Zhuofan & Abiha. We wish you much success for you bright future!
Zhuofan Huang is Chinese-American. He is a stellar student and has done a lot of volunteer work. He logged over 250 volunteer hours with New York Cares, working with people with disabilities and providing meals for the needy. He is going to Albany College to study Pharmacy. He says he wants to help disadvantaged people through this work.
Abiha Haider is originally from Pakistan. She is a focused student determined to get a good education in the U.S. She has volunteered her time for various causes, including working on a campaign to raise funds for immigrants who need immigration lawyers to advocate on their behalf.
Congratulations to the students! And special thanks to all the donors and supporters who continue to make this scholarship in honor of our beloved Virginia Yu possible.
Apply for the 2017 Virginia Yu Fund Scholarship Open to LESP High School Seniors
Congrats to the 2016 Recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social and Economic Justice Scholarship: Anna Chen and Li Gao
Congratulations to the recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social and Economic Justice 2016 scholarship awards, Anna Chen and Li Gao. Anna and Li have made significant contributions to their school and the greater community and we hope these scholarships will encourage them to continue their efforts to bring more justice to this world.
2015 inaugural recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social & Economic Justice Scholarships were awarded to 2 graduating seniors
Our 2015 inaugural recipients of the Virginia Yu Fund for Social & Economic Justice Scholarships were awarded to 2 graduating seniors at Lower East Side Preparatory High School (the school Virginia was a guidance counselor at the school until her untimely passing)
The Fund's board members and family member were present at yesterday's graduation to give the 2015 Virginia Yu Fund scholarship awards to 2 students ($1000 awarded to each student) in person. Congratulations to Xinyue Zhen and Junmei Jiang! Good luck on your college adventures.