First AAYA Meeting Kicks Off!

By: Micheal P. Tony, Alyssa Shin

Photo By: Ryan Jensen

And it’s off! The first official meeting of the Asian American Youth Alliance kicked off and started the club off with a roaring success. The meeting was a public interest meeting open to all and ended with many joining the organization. The meeting was highly anticipated amongst members and nonmembers alike, as it promoted the start of something potentially large.

Current president and vice president of the club, Ian Kim and Inho Kee, sought a means to empower the Asian society in America through a school club. Though, as they thought about it more, they decided a club unrestricted to any school, any ethnicity, or any social class would be a better fit for the future of the club and the future of Asian Americans.

At the start of the meeting, the possible members got to personally meet each and every one of the officers in the club. Secretary Erin Yoon began the introductions announcing the start of the long anticipated meeting. 

“I am very excited to get AAYA started and I am excited to show all of you what AAYA has to offer.”

Next, public relations manager Alyssa Shin took the stage with a brief introduction. Being the only officer not attending NVOT, it was very nice to see her take the stage fearlessly. The public relations manager is in charge of all connecting, social media management, and marketing for events.

Immediately after, Vice President Kee took the stage and gave a brief introduction about himself. 

Then the president walked onto stage with a bright future in mind. He began by introducing himself and then functions of AAYA along with it. 

“AAYA is not just an organization dedicated to bringing the community around us together. It is a family dedicated to showing the world that being a minority is a strength.”

Throughout the speech, Kim engaged the audience with an informative description of the start of AAYA and the vision of the AAYA.

Vice President Kee then discussed certain opportunities for club members to partake in, one being donating books to a local preschool. However, this is only the beginning of the club and there will certainly be more occasions available to all who wish to facilitate. It’s easy, fun, stress free, and beneficial for all parties involved so Kee made it clear that if you wish to get involved it is simple to do so. 

The functions of the club along with the future goals and plans of AAYA were briefly described. Kee remarked on a few leadership and volunteer opportunities to help those in our community and assured that many other opportunities would present themselves regularly.

Kim then added that the club will always be expanding in members, opportunities, programs, partnerships and more throughout the course of the club.

“AAYA is an all inclusive organization revolving around helping the community around us. We hope that all of you will be willing to join. Hope to see you all soon!” - Kim

With that, the first meeting of the Asian American Youth Alliance comes to a finish. Members and non-members alike are both excited for and anticipating great progress to come in the near future. 

Thank you all for reading. - Micheal P. Tony Editor in Chief