I was a Youth Fellow in Coro’s Exploring Leadership program in 2000, following my junior year of high school. In eight short weeks, EL transformed my perspective about the future, setting me on a path to new heights. My school had a ten percent graduation rate; if not for Coro, there’s a chance I would have been one of the ninety percent.  It was because of Coro that I not only managed to graduate, but went on to college. I thank my parents for instilling the drive to accomplish this goal, and Coro for providing the tools.

When the EL summer ended, I returned to high school focused and determined. The program taught me the importance of dedication, organization, and communication, and it exposed me to many important facets of life, including meeting great community and business leaders, and discovering my civic duty. 

Coro inspired me to be a leader in my community. I established the Asian American Association at UC Davis, and I also helped establish the first Asian American Film Festival, a week-long event that showcases films to combat stereotypes facing Asian Americans in the media.