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JUNE2004

tháng�VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2

ORT C CALIFORN NIA


IA
HERN CALIFOR
F N N BẮ
Ý THỨC STUDENT JOURNAL

S O MIỀ
O AM
T Ổ

N
N
N N ỆT I
VI T

U
IT G H
ED Ộ H IA
VIE I SINH SIN OC
TNA VIÊN HỌC ASS
MESE STUDENT
ý thức
coordinator
Bảo Thiên Ngô

publisher
Phương Từ

graphic designer
Huy Trần

photographers
Tâm Đặng
Tâm Đường

editors
Chris Lee
Ý Thúc, or “Consciousness” in Vietnamese, is Thu Thị Xuân Nguyễn
the official, non-profit journal of the United
Vietnamese Student Associations of Northern
California. The purpose of this journal is to contributing writers
document the events, struggles, dreams, and Bình Lê
opinions of the students of Northern California Jeannie T. Phạm
in helping to define the Vietnamese-American David Trần
culture. The name comes from its meaning: Duy B. Võ

“Sense of one’s personal or collective identity,


including the attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivi-
ties held by or considered characteristic of an
individual or group.”

for more information


ythuc@norcaluvsa.org
http://www.norcaluvsa.org/ythuc
P.O. Box 612635, San José, CA 95161

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 2
features every issue
bên em đang có ta letters
6 � Child Sex Trafficking in Southeast Asia 4 � President of UVSA
5 � Chief Editor

sức khỏe là vàng


10 � May is Hepatitis B Awareness Month recognition
28 � Tết Festival & Parade
28 � Black April Commemoration
văn nghệ annual review 28 � Child Sex Trafficking Campaign
12 � Student Art, Fashion, and Culture

local news
uvsa northern california
8 � Black April Commemoration
17 � Talent Show Competition
18 � Tết Festival & Parade
20 � Appreciation Banquet
22 � UVSA attends VIA-1 Conference

in other areas
16 � New Edition of Vietnamese-American
Curriculum Unveiled
24 � Miss Vietnam Resigns Crown Following
Nudity Scandal
25 � VAPRI Voter Registration
26 � VAPRI Assists with Citizenship Day
27 � San Mateo Marine Killed in Iraq

3
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


thư chủ tịch

Dear Friends and Readers,

O
N BEHALF OF THE UNITED VIETNAMESE STUDENT
Associations of Northern California, I would like to introduce
to you our second issue of Ý Thức. It’s been so hard putting
together UVSA, yet dreams are held closer than ever when we
have to fight for it.
In our generation, we share a different struggle. The struggle is to
be caught between two culture and identity. I was born and raised here
in the United States. I assimilated in American culture, but somewhere
along the way, I have found my true identity. I didn’t know anything about
Black April until I joined UVSA. After learning about Black April, I realized
how hard it was for my parents to raise me up in San Jose and all the
hardships they had to go through. My parents fled Vietnam on boats and
settles in this country with little more than the clothes on their back. My
parents never gave up because of their relentless dedication in seeking a
better life for our family in America. My parents came to America because
of the American Dream, because of the opportunities for my siblings and
me. Now, what is my dream?
My dream is to create a family where everyone feels welcome, a
family that is there for a good cause, a family that will better the com-
munity, and a family where we all know that when something falls, we
will be there for each other. I know that no dreams are made in one day,
month, or year. It takes a lot of time and a lot of determination. I have
started the process of laying down the bricks for a path to success and
unity and I hope slowly people will walk on this path to UVSA’s dream.
I know this path is not easy. I’m just taking one baby step at a time
and I realize that while I’m laying down these bricks, there are going to be
some pebbles and rocks on my path. I can either lay them down with my
bricks or throw them to the side and I will try my best to keep it going and
not let anything stop me from this path.
This path wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the help and
support of many people. I would like to extend my gratitude to the advisors,
the board, the businesses, the staff, and especially the supportive members
and families. The emotional and financial support that has been provided
to UVSA has been immeasurable. We are extremely grateful for all the help
and support that we have received and will be receiving in the future.

Sincerely,

(Michelle) Phương Từ
President

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 4
editor’s note

F
IRST OFF, I’D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR READING OUR SECOND
issue. Without you, we wouldn’t have much reason to publish this.
Here at Ý Thức Central – our imaginary headquarters (because we
are poor students) – there’s a lot of work being done on our infra-
structure so we can operate more actively and efficiently.
Ý Thức was intended to serve as a record of the Vietnamese stu-
dents of Northern California. And in striving to retain journalistic integrity,
we publish the truth, do proper research, and present multiple viewpoints.
But the last thing we want it to be is a newspaper. A journal is what you
want it to be. And some of us here would like to see Ý Thức push the
envelope of our Vietnamese heritage through preservation and experimen-
tation. With that in mind, while we record what’s happening, we’ll try to
explore the relationship between our heritage and the world at large in
new ways.
The idea of Ý Thức isn’t new. The Union of Vietnamese Student As-
sociations of Southern California publishes their Non Sông magazine about
twice a year. But last year, two Non Sông staff members transferred from
UCLA to colleges in Northern California. Their names are Bảo and Huy,
which happens to be the same two names of the Ý Thức staff. It’s not a
coincidence, it’s really us! But alas, there’s one thing I miss most about
working in Southern California—the layout parties composed of fifteen
students working a 24-hour shift to finish up Non Sông.
Nostalgia aside, I wish to congratulate all the graduating high school
seniors for reaching another milestone in their lives. For some of you, life
might not seem any different. And for others, you will be moving to new
grounds, and your life might will so much more different. You are all now
asked to walk your own path, and each one of you will. I never saw myself
here four years ago, and never thought I’d be make the friends I have now.
But one thing is always true: all the sleepless nights with café latte, ran-
dom encounters at the outlet mall, school social functions, mass bumming
in front of the TV and hours of running on the rumor mill is always a part
of you. At the funeral of my friend a year ago, a good portion of my high
school senior class paid their condolences, reminding me of the fact that,
while we’re all walking in different directions, we’re still there for each
other. This isn’t unlike why we started Ý Thức, and why UVSA exists.
I see great things for this journal, I do hope you find value in UVSA
Northern California’s Ý Thức Student Journal! Cheers!

Sincerely,

Bảo Thiên Ngô


Coordiantor of Ý Thức

5
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


I
MAGINE YOUR FIVE-YEAR-OLD
daughter, son, nephew, niece, or even just
a child next door being sold as slaves for
sex with grown men! We’re talking about
the horrific crimes that go on behind closed
doors in third world countries such as Vietnam,
Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Unfortunately,
such crimes do exist and these children are
victims of a fast growing industry of “child sex
trafficking.”
Not every child wakes up in a cozy
bed with a blanket and a teddy bear. In the
world of poverty, children become the easiest
At an age commodities for exploiters to gain access for
cash. Desperate families struggle for survival
where they and sacrifice their own children to the world
of adult prostitution for a few hundred dollars.
should be Some children are kidnapped. Others are lured
into brothels thinking they’ll be working for a
learning their coffee house. They are forced into having sex

alphabet and with grown men, including American tourists


based on the report by Dateline NBC, and are
be playing on sold from one brothel to the next.
Dateline NBC aired their investigation in
the playground, January 2004 when they went undercover to
Cambodia to expose the crime that has been
these children overlooked by many: child prostitution. To
their astonishment, children as young as five
are taught are kidnapped, bought, and sold like candies

child-like terms in a store. At an age where they should be


learning their alphabet and be playing on the
to communi- playground, these children are taught child-
like terms to communicate with their clients,
cate with their such as “yum-yum” for oral sex and “boom-
boom” for intercourse. One of the children
clients, such said, “If not happy, no pay.” Virgins are offered
at $600.
as “yum-yum” Sadly enough, many of these children

for oral sex and are children from Vietnam. Like many unfortu-
nate children, they are born into poverty and
“boom-boom” sold for sex. Even some are kidnapped chil-
dren, living their lives in fear in foreign land,
for intercourse. and no way to get home.

written by Bình Lê
photos ©2004 MSNBC Interactive

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 6
Dateline interviewed a 14-year-old
Vietnamese girl who was recently rescued by
the efforts of Dateline and Human Rights In- by the numbers Resources
vestigators. She came from an extremely poor
family. While walking home from school one
day, she was approached by a woman who of-
15,000 Unofficial estimates of the number of
prostituted persons in Phnom Penh.
Up to 35% of them have been smuggled into Cambodia
Aid to Children Without
Parents (ACWP)
fered her work in a café shop. “I thought, I am from China or Vietman, mostly from the southwestern http://acwp.org/
here to serve coffee, not be a prostitute. But provinces of Vietnam. Brothel owners pay traffickers from child_trafficking.htm
the boss told me that I had to be a prostitute. US$350 to $450 for each attractive Vietnamese virgin 16
years or younger. Non-virgins and those considered less
She forced me, and I was scared. I did not beautiful are sold from $150 to $170 each. Mạng Lưới Tuổi Trẻ
want to go with those men.” So she tried to
Việt Nam Lên Đường
15–18
run away. “I got captured. They forced me into The age of most prostituted girls, they
http://lenduong.net/
a room for three days and three nights. They are found in the Svay Pak red-light dis-
beat me. They did not let me have anything to trict of Cambodia. Many girls are much younger. Most of phunutreem
eat or drink. And they sold me to a different them are smuggled in from Vietnam and all are bound by
contracts, which last from six months to over a year. Svay
brothel.” These stories are a far cry from the
Pak has the largest number of prostituted Vietnamese UNICEF Việt Nam
Disney tales that our children in the US could girls. http://unicef.org/vietnam/
ever imagined.

3,000 Vietnamese women and children are


trafficked to Cambodia for prostitution
and China for domestic work. (ILO-IPEC, Trafficking in
National Congress of
Vietnamese-Americans
Children and Women, 1999) http://ncvaonline.org/
socialjustice.htm
Many of the prostituted women and children in Cambodia
are from Vietnam. One third of estimated 55,000 prosti-
tutes in Cambodia are under 18 and most are Vietnamese.
(CATW Fact Book, citing “Vietnam Child Sex Trade Rising”,
AP, 24 April 1998, citing World Human Rights Organisation
and UNICEF)

An excerpt from the investigation reads:


“We meet dozens of children. One girl says
500 Vietnamese girls are trafficked to Cambodia for
Prostitution. (ILO-IPEC, Combating Trafficking
in Children for Labour Exploitation in the Mekong Sub-
she’s nine. She’s joined by another who says region, October 1998).
she’s 10. Both said they know how to perform
oral sex. And they even tell us how much it
will cost: $60 for two girls. A pimp says if two
724 An incomplete report estimates that there are
currently 724 Vietnamese girls under the age
of 16 engaged as sex workers, while the figures for 1994
girls aren’t enough, how about three?” and 1998 were 1,566 and 1,368 respectively. (“Statistics
Another excerpt reads: “You have an paint grim picture of children’s sad plight in Vietnam”,
8-year-old little girl you know just looking at Vietnam Investment Review, 11/9/2000).
you smiling, realizing that you’re going to in
just a few moments possibly, probably go-
ing to engage in a sexual act they’re going to
900 Svay Pak, known as K-11 and located 11 kilo-
meters outside of Phnom Penh, was one of the
notorious brothel areas in the province. Consisting mainly
get money for, and they’re smiling about it. I of Vietnamese girls ranging in age from as young as 11 to
mean I see a smile like that on my kids’ face the early 20s, the majority had been trafficked from Viet
when they’re finding out they’re going to go to Nam and sold by family members or friends. There are an
Disney World.” estimated 900 or so girls in this community.
Although this problem has reached
Washington and International Human Rights
activists, each day a new child is still confront-
$150–$400 “Once the girls are brought
to me by an agent, I must
pay from $350 to $400 for a virgin girl, or from $150 to
ed with the same terror and fear of becom- $170 for a girl who is no longer a virgin. When a customer
ing the next sex slave to some tourist. What requests a virgin, we arrange for a hotel where he can
Dateline NBC uncovered is merely scratching take the girl for one week. For this I charge him $300 to
the surface of the reality for these children. As $400”.
many as 30,000 children are trapped in these
brothels and the number continues to grow. [!]

7
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


30/4 black april
commemoration +
candlelight vigil
written by Bảo Thiên Ngô
photos by Tâm Đặng

S
TUDENTS OF THE UNITED VIETNAMESE
Student Association (UVSA) gathered
in the Northside Community Center of
downtown San Jose to pay tribute to
the Vietnamese heritage as well as to shed
light on the issue of child trafficking and sexual
exploitation in Southeast Asia. The event has
been dubbed the Black April Commemoration
Candlelight Vigil, which took place Friday, April
30, 2004. This is the second year that UVSA
has organized the event.
Vietnamese American youths commemo-
rate April 30 every year not only to honor
the refugees arriving in America, but also to
educate the younger generations on why they
are here.
Being April the National Child Abuse Pre-
vention Month, the event this year also serves
to shed light on the horrific crimes that go on
behind closed doors in third world countries.
In the world of poverty, children become the
easiest commodities for sexual predators.
UVSA has organized a campaign to
educate the public, especially students, about
the importance of Black April. The campaign
includes an Awareness Week, a Day of Silence,
petition drives, and supporting independent
projects aimed at helping children. This
year’s theme, “Bên Em Đang Có Ta” roughly
translates to “With You, I Am By Your Side.”

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 8
Day of Black April
On the day of the event, members of the San
Jose Police Department arrived, not only to
provide security, but also to inform the public
on the importance of creating child identifica-
tion kits in the event a child becomes lost or
abducted.
Ben Menor, Director of the Northside
Community Center, gives an introductory
speech, congratulating the students for orga-
nizing an event, and reminding everyone that
it has often been the youth who have made
great strides in changing the world.
Phương Từ, President of UVSA, follows
with an introduction to the meaning of Black
April, a day in which Communist forces in
Vietnam took foothold in Saigon, prompting
millions to evacuate the former South Vietnam
by land, sea, and air.
UVSA advisor Xuân Cao gives everyone
a card and pencil for her activity. The activity
asks for everyone to write ten items of utmost
personal importance, whether they be people,
objects, or sometimes abstract concepts. Then
she asks everyone to cross off two items at a
time, the audience hesitating of what is the
most important to keep. The activity conveyed
what the experience of the refugee was like
in having to choose what to take and what
to leave behind before fleeing the country.
Lý Hoàng Thu - Việt Mercury
Ms. Cao later shares her experience being a
refugee, and leaving Vietnam at the age of A video of the Dateline MSNBC investiga-
5. Like many refugees, she remembers being tion of children being prostituted in Cambodia
woken up one night and being asked to go to was shown. The audience watched in silence
a dock or shore, and climb into a boat. The as the truth was laid before them. The video
boat would be out in sea for days until passing broke out into a song, “Bên Em Đang Có Ta.”
ships would pick them up. Everyone was asked to join in singing this
Following was a video montage of vari- song while candles were being lit.
ous high school students speaking about their Each candle was lit in memory of
impression of Black April. The audience was those who perished, and for the children’s
then asked to share any of their opinions and whose voices cannot be heard. [!]
experiences as well.

9
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


sức khỏe là vàng

may is hepatitis b awareness month written by Thu Thị Xuân Nguyễn

A
BOUT 1.25 MILLION Hepatitis B is 50 to 100 times more
people in the United States infectious than HIV.8 It can be trans- Preventive Measures
have chronic hepatitis B mitted through body fluids and blood.1 Before the hepatitis B vaccine
infections. Each year 4,000– became available in 1982, approxi-
5,000 will die from this disease.1 mately 200,000–300,000 people
Most of these deaths can be prevent- Rate of Infection were being infected each year. Of
ed. Hepatitis B vaccines are available, Certain populations in the this number, 20,000 were children.
and the three dose vaccine series is U.S. have significantly higher inci- By 2002, approximately 30 million
effective.11 dence rates of chronic infection than adults and 40 million infants were
Hepatitis B is a detrimental dis- the general population, including vaccinated. As a result of the behavior
ease that can cause both short term drug users and people from regions changes among high-risk populations
and long-term health problems. Acute where hepatitis B is endemic.2 Asian to reduce HIV/AIDS infection and the
infections can cause jaundice, tired- Americans have the highest rate of hepatitis B vaccinations, the number
ness, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of hepatitis B infection rates of all racial of people being infected annually had
appetite. Acute infections that prog- and ethnic groups. While the general declined to 79,000 in 2001.5 The
ress to chronic infections can cause population has an infection rate of hepatitis B vaccine is the first vaccine
cirrhosis, or scaring of the liver, liver 0.3%, rates for Asian Americans can to prevent a type of cancer. Although
cancer, and death. Frequently, hepati- be as high as 15%.11 Vietnamese- this is a dramatic reduction, greater
tis B infections go undiagnosed. Many Americans, Korean-Americans, and declines can be achieved with more
people with chronic infections do not Chinese-Americans have 13, 8, and widespread hepatitis B vaccination.
exhibit any symptoms until they reach 6 times the rate of liver cancer than Screening of pregnant women
the late stages of the disease.12 For whites.3 For Asian-American women, with risk factors for infection and
those infected during childhood there cancer is the leading cause of death. administering hepatitis B immune
is a 25% risk of death from liver can- For no other population group is this globulin (HBIG) with the hepatitis B
cer or cirrhosis.8 About 80% of liver true. Among cancers, liver cancer is vaccine to infants of HbsAg positive
cancers in the world are caused by the third leading cause of death for mothers to prevent perinatal trans-
hepatitis B.2 Liver cancer is a deadly Asian Americans.4 mission was recommended by the
disease with Americans usually living Preventing chronic hepatitis B Immunization Practices Advisory Com-
only a few years after diagnosis.8 infection of infants and children will mittee (ACIP) in 1984. It was later
decrease morbidity and premature discovered that this strategy could not
mortality from cirrhosis and liver identify 35–65% of HBsAg positive
Mode of Transmission cancer. The risk of an acute infec- pregnant women, so beginning in
In the U.S., the main mode of tion progressing to chronic infection 1988, ACIP recommended screening
transmission is sexual contact. How- varies with age. At birth 90% of for HBsAg for all pregnant women. In
ever, viral transmission at the time of acute infections will progress into 1991, ACIP recommended that all in-
delivery is still the cause of 24% of chronic infections. At 1–5 years, the fants receive hepatitis B vaccinations,
all chronic hepatitis B infections, and risk decreases to 30–60%, and for and by 1999, ACIP recommended
one-third of chronic infections are due those over 5 years of age, the risk is vaccinations for everyone under 18.5
to transmission at birth and during less than 10%.7 Infants infected do Perinatal prevention programs,
childhood. Vaccinating all infants not not usually exhibit any symptoms. As with federal funding support begin-
only prevents perinatal transmission they become older, without screen- ning in 1990, have been successful in
from mother to child, but also guards ing tests specifically for the hepatitis screening pregnant women for HBsAg.
against childhood infections that result B surface antigen (HBsAg), they About 96.5% pregnant women were
from close contact between infected may not know they are carriers and screened for HBsAg in a 2000 survey
household members or caretakers.7 unwittingly infect another person.2 of 14 states. The same survey found

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 10
that 90% of the infants of HBsAg tis B Education and Prevention Initia-
positive mothers received HBIG and tive in Boston. Ms. Hsu had lost both Works Cited
1. “Hepatitis B Vaccine: What You Need to Know.” 11 July
the first dose of the hepatitis B vac- her mother and brother to hepatitis 2001. US Department of Health & Human Services, CDC,
National Immunization Program. 6 Feb. 2004. <http://
cine. However, only 71% of infants B. HBI provides hepatitis B informa- www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hep-b.pdf>
had received all three doses of the tion, screenings, and vaccinations. It
hepatitis B vaccine at 6–8 months.5 has expanded its outreach efforts to 2. Humbaugh, Kraig E. MD, MPH. “Prevention of Peri-
natal Hepatitis B Transmission.” Kentucky Women’s and
More efforts must be made to promote Virginia and hopes to expand to Wash- Children’s Health e Newsletter Oct. 2002. <http://www.
mcuky.edu/obg/Newsletters/eNews_02_10.pdf>
completion of the vaccinations series. ington, DC and Maryland.

While the general population has an infection rate of 0.3%, rates


for Asian Americans can be as high as 15%.
3. Scully, Jessica M. “Often, medical literature is based on stud-
Vaccinating all neonates en- For those interested in getting in- ies done on white, whose health issues can be very different
sures that in the case where a mother volved locally, there are opportunities from those of Asian descent: Unfocused Research in U.S.” The
Mercury News 17 Sept. 2002. <http://www.mercurynews.
is HBsAg positive, but inaccurately in California. The Asian Liver Center com/mld/mercurynews/living/health/4091242.htm>

reported as being HBsAg negative, the (ALC) located on the Stanford Uni-
4. Ward, Darrell E. “OSU researcher leads national
infant is still protected from infec- versity campus is the only non-profit anti-cancer effort.” On Campus Online. 20 Apr. 2000 .
tion. While HBIG in combination with organization in the US with a focus in Ohio State University. 9 Feb. 2004. <http://www.
osu.edu/oncampus/v29n19/theissue.html>
hepatitis B vaccine is approximately hepatitis B and liver cancer in Asian
95% effective in preventing perinatal Americans. Through outreach, educa- 5. “Achievements in Public Health: Hepatitis B Vaccination—
United States, 1982-2002.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
transmission, the vaccine alone can tion, and research ALC is dedicated Report (MMWR). 52 (2002): 9 Feb. 2004 <http://www.
concur 70–95% protection against to reducing the hepatitis B incidence cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5125a3.htm>

infection when administered within 24 and improving treatment. For more 6. “Hepatitis B Virus: A Comprehensive Strategy for
hours of birth.10 information about ALC and ways to Eliminating Transmission in the United States Through
Universal Childhood Vaccination: Recommendations of the
Significant successes have been help, please visit the ALC website at Immunization Practices Advisory Committee.” Morbidity and
made in decreasing the incidence of http://liver.stanford.edu. Mortality Weekly Report. 40 (1991): 5 Feb. 2004 <www.
cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00033405.htm>
hepatitis B infection, but the chal- The Pacific Free Clinic (PFC)
lenges and opportunities for improve- located in San Jose opened in May 7. Pickering, Larry K. MD, FAAP. “Resume hep B immu-
nization at birth: AAP.” AAP News. 16 (2000): 1. 6 Feb.
ment remain. When infant and early 2003 as a result of the collaborative 2004. <http//www.imunize.org/birthdose.pickerin.htm>
childhood vaccination programs were efforts of Stanford medical students
first put in place, many children and undergraduates. PFC is open 8. “Hepatitis B” WHO Information Fact Sheets.
Oct. 2000. WHO/OMS . 5 Feb. 2004. <http://
had already passed the age group Saturdays from 10–2. In addition to www.who.int/inf-fs/en/fact204.html>

targeted and would not have been other medical services, PFC offers
9. Oram, Ronda J. MD, Daum, Robert S. MD, Seal, John
vaccinated. More vaccination pro- hepatitis B screenings and referrals B. MA; Lauderdale, Diane S. PhD. “Impact of Recom-
grams are needed to vaccinate middle for hepatitis B vaccinations. Interpret- mendations to Suspend the Birth Dose of Hepatitis B
Virus Vaccine.” JAMA.Vol 285 (2001): 1874-1879.
school and high school students who ers who speak Vietnamese, Spanish,
missed their immunizations. The first and Mandarin are available for those 10. “Impacts of the 1999 AAP/USPHS Joint Statement on Thi-
merosal in Vaccines on Infant Hepatitis B Vaccination Practices.”
anti-cancer vaccine is safe, effec- who need language assistance. For Morbidity and Mortality Report (MMWR). 50 (2001): 94-7.
tive, and available. We should do more information about volunteer-
what we can to increase appropri- ing and/or the services PFC provides, 11. Deuson, Robert R. PhD., MS, MSHS, Brodovicz,
Kimberly Goodnow MPH, Barker, Lawrence PhD, Zhou,
ate and widespread vaccination. please visit their website at http://pa- Fangjun PhD, Euler, Gary, DrPH, MPH. “Economic Analysis
of a Childhood Vaccination Project Among Asian Ameri-
cific.stanford.edu/home.html. [!] cans in Philadephia, Pa.” 155(2001): 909-914.

Involvement 12. Asian Liver Center. Stanford University. 21


March 2004. <http://liver.stanford.edu>.
There are ways to get involved.
In 1997, Leslie Hsu and Michael Trần
founded the Hepatitis B Initiative
(HBI), formerly known as the Hepati-

11
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


SinPixelStudio.com

VĂN NGHỆ
COMPILED BY BẢO THIÊN NGÔ AND HUY TRẦN

Top left: Milpitas VSA’s “Mẹ” Cultural Dance. Choreography by Tuấn Huỳnh and Cindy Nguyễn. Performed by Hồng
Đặng, Uyên Lê, Ann Lương, Cindy Nguyễn, Diana Nguyễn, Jennie Nguyễn, Tiên Nguyễn, Connie Từ.
Top right: The Vietnamese Unit of Fremont High School VSA’s “Soul of Saigon” posing before the show.
From left to right: Mark Melanio, Khôi Bùi, Andrea Pasiliao, Alvin Limbo, Tina Nguyễn.
Middle left: Traditional fan dancer at Yerba Buena VSA’s Fashion Show.
Middle right: Fashion show at Mission College VSA’s “Giác Mơ Mùa Xuân.”

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 12
SinPixelStudio.com

Top left: Pre-show stress for Fremont High School VSA’s “Soul of Saigon.” Left to right: Mai Hoàng, Thủy Trần, Diana Ngô.
Top right: Cindy Phạm, Alyssa Phan, and Nha Vân Hoàng in SJSU VSA’s “Ước Mơ và Hoa Niệm.”
Bottom: Fashion show round-up at De Anza College VSA’s “Tiếng Vọng Quê Hương.”

SinPixelStudio.com

Bottom: Christine Nguyễn’s poster work for the Fashion Show


of Evergreen Valley High School VSU + Notre Dame High
Academy VSA + Bellarmine College Preperatory VB.

Some pictures courtesy of


SinPixelStudio.com

13
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


SinPixelStudio.com

Above: Pageant at Mission College VSA’s “Giac Mơ Mùa Xuân”


Middle left: “Hướng Đến Ngày Mai” performed by Nguyễn Định, Brian
Chương Nguyễn, Đăng Nguyễn, Lợi Nguyễn at Milpitas VSA Culture show.
Middle center: Áo dài segment of the Fashion Show of Evergreen Valley High School
VSU + Notre Dame High Academy VSA + Bellarmine College Preperatory VB.
Middle right: Fremont High School VSA have an afterparty with BBQ chicken.
Bottom: Traditional fan dance by students of Piedmont Hills High
School at the mid-February International Fair at their school.

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 14
Top right: Andrew Hill High School VC’s poster work for
“Con Đường Không Quên.”
Bottom right: Business attire segment for Yerba Buena
High School VSA’s Fashion Show.

Top left: Painted backdrop for Yerba Buena High School VSA’s Fashion
Show featuring a monkey.
Middle left: DACVSA’s flyer artwork for “Tiếng Vọng Quê Hương.”
Bottom left: Steve, Kevin, and Sunny perform in a skit in the Fashion
Show of Evergreen Valley High School VSU + Notre Dame High Acad-
emy VSA + Bellarmine College Preperatory VB.

15
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


new edition of vietnamese-american
curriculum unveiled
“The Vietnamese American experience is a crucial
“The California Department of
Education will include this curriculum
part of the U.S. immigration history and should be as a resource in their annual catalog,
which will be sent to all 300,000
included in all teaching credential programs…” teachers in the state,” said Michael
Matsuda, co-author of the curriculum
By Đức Nguyễn “This innovative curriculum project and member of the California State
Người Việt 2
provides a comprehensive overview Curriculum Commission.
May 14, 2004 In addition, Matsuda states that
of the social, cultural, economic and
political experiences of Vietnamese out-of-state training is scheduled, with
“Vietnam. One word that evokes so 150 teachers in Virginia scheduled
many emotions: a war, a homeland, Americans that teachers can easily
incorporate in their classes.” for two-day seminars.Nguyen Lam
an exodus, a past, a foreign place. Kim Oanh, a faculty member in the
Vietnamese American. Two words that It’s a teaching plan that is receiving
widespread support. teacher-education program at Califor-
evoke just as much, if not more. Not nia State University, Long Beach, is
only Vietnamese. Not only American. In 2001, the Orange County Asian
Pacific Islander Community Alli- one of the professors who uses the
Not one or the other, but both Viet- curriculum in her classes. She said
namese and American. Two worlds ance (OCAPICA), a nonprofit group
in Garden Grove, Calif., developed her non- Vietnamese students told her
connected. Two worlds intertwined.” that they now have better understand-
These words open the introduction the curriculum with a grant from the
Orange County Human Relations ing of what the Vietnamese refugees
to the first educational curriculum went through.
guide in the United States on the Council. OCAPICA then convened a
volunteer committee of staff, board That’s important to California
Vietnamese American experience, Assemblyman Lou Correa, who has in-
Vietnamese Americans: New Lessons members, teachers and professors,
charging them with the task of writing troduced an assembly bill encouraging
in American History. The Vietnam- the teaching of the Southeast Asian
ese American Curriculum committee the first-ever Vietnamese American-re-
lated curriculum. experience in the Vietnam War era.
unveiled the second edition of the “This legislation encourages districts to
curriculum at a news conference, held Other Vietnamese organizations
have also stepped forward with integrate resources like the Vietnam-
at the Nguoi Viet Daily News offices, ese American curriculum into class-
to educators and public officials. support. The Union of Vietnamese
Student Associations has provided rooms,” he said. “I hope that it signals
The curriculum, designed for the beginning of significant action on
grades seven and above, currently is multiple grants to aid in the printing
and publishing of the curriculum. The this issue.”
taught by many teachers throughout For more information about the cur-
California. It includes lesson plans, re- Vietnamese American Public Affairs
Committee has pledged to introduce riculum, call Diep Tran at OCAPICA at
sources, timelines, demographic data (714) 636-9095. The curriculum can
and oral histories designed to facilitate the curriculum at various loca-
tions where its chapters are located also be viewed at: http://www.toler-
the introduction to, and instruction of, ance.org/teach/expand/vietnamese/ [!]
Vietnamese American experiences. throughout the U.S.
“The Vietnamese American ex- Recently, OCAPICA partnered
perience is a crucial part of the U.S. with Teaching Tolerance, a national
immigration history and should be teachers organization, to promote
included in all teaching credential pro- this curriculum to its members. Since
grams,” said Linda Vo, a faculty mem- then, many teachers statewide and
ber of the Asian studies department at nationwide have said they want to be
the University of California at Irvine. trained and incorporate the curriculum
into their classrooms.

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 16
January 31, 2004

COMPETITION
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL ĐỖ

The competition was


held in Parkside Hall
before a large crowd
of Vietnamese-Amer-
icans at around 3:00
PM. An estimated

Performers from
Cupertino Vietnam-
ese Interactive Club
perform their modern
dance.

Singing
1st Place: Tuan Huynh, DACVSA
2nd Place: Bao Vu, SJSU VSA
3rd Place: Quyen Ly, BAVSA
All competition con-

Cultural Dance
testants line up to
hear the results from
the judges. 1st Place: DACVSA
2nd Place: Independence Vietnamese Club
3rd Place: Mt. Eden VSA

Modern Dance
1st Place: Silver Creek VSU
2nd Place: Mt. Eden VSA
3rd Place: SJSU VSA

17
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


Vietnamese Spring

of UVSA

together

ahead.
on the
march
Yerba Buena Vietnamese

youth
Student Association tries to

road
The
hold down this jumbo sized
monkey balloon.

The day before the parade, I was fran-


tically driving around trying to get
missing materials to people. It came as
no surprise that I had no energy to do
anything last night. But hey, the fun
part comes today. We get to march in
formation to celebrate Tết Giáp Thân,
the Lunar New Year of the Monkey.
So the formation went as follows: the UVSA board
officers walked holding our very new banner; the
Independence Lion Dance team followed closely
behind; the Yerba Buena Vietnamese Student As-
sociation held a giant Curious George monkey
balloon!; Cupertino Vietnamese Interactive Club
strut their thing on scooters; women from vari-
ous organizations in traditional a�ire walk behind
them; then last but not least, our “The Youth Unit-
ed” float with a representative from each organi-
zation.
I woke up early and arrived in preparation at
�:�� ��, only to find that all I needed to do was
register and get Krispy Kreme donuts for every-
one. Apparently the Curious George monkey bal-
loon wasn’t filled with gas yet. As time went on,
I met my Yerba Buena constituents and Indepen-
dence Lion Dance team, abuzz with excitement
from the cold morning (which would later turn
into a slight drizzle). I went home to change my
clothes a�er my advisors Anh Kelvin and Anh
ARTICLE BY BẢO THIÊN NGÔ Hiền told me I should walk with UVSA. I did not
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAILY PHẠM plan on doing so because I usually played the sup-
JANUARY 31–FEBRUARY 1, 2004 porting role in every event I’ve assisted in coordi-
The Parade was held along Market Street between Santa nating. But I wouldn’t be living up to our float’s
Clara Street to San Carlos Street. theme—The Youth United—if I didn’t walk with
them. And so I did.
Bảo is a student from the Art Institute of California, San
Francisco, and holds the title of IVP but feels doesn’t
feel like the VIP from his POV. You may reach him at
ivp@norcaluvsa.org.

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 18
Festival Parade
While we were passing through the streets
showing our presence, my fellow board member
Quyên Nguyễn encouraged everyone to chant,
“Chức Mùng Năm Mới” a�er he yells “U-V-S-A!”
There was certainly a lot of spirit, and even the Cu-
rious George monkey balloon was swinging back
and forth to the prevailing breezes. At one point
the parade halted as each parade unit ahead of us
tried to do a presentation in front of the judges.
It got to be a li�le annoying, but at least the lion
dancers played with the crowd in the meantime.
Last year the United Vietnamese Student Or-
ganizations won second place in the float contest.
This year, unfortunately, we didn’t win anything.
If there is anything we learned, that in order to
do more events concurrently (as the day before
we held a talent show contest), we need to recruit
more people into our staff. So whoever does this
UVSA’s float has the
for next year’s Year of the Rooster, you be�er start theme “The Youth United.”
now! [!]
Photo by Tâm Đường.

UVSA officers hold up their new banner to the public.

Huyên Nguyễn, Emily Nguyễn, and Trang Phan represent


their school organizations on the UVSA float.

19
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


Appreciation
Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 20
I would like to congratulate three I would also like to thank my Bảo,
schools for their outstanding par- Internal Vice President, for without
ticipation: Yerba Buena VSA, Inde- Bảo I would be stressing and prob-
pendence Vietnamese Club and Lion ably would be gorwing a lot of white
Dance Group, and the Cupertino hair. Bao does all the logos and he’s
Vietnamese Interactive Club. currently taking care of this website
I would also like to thank all the until we can find a webmaster.
other schools for being a part of UVSA Next I would like to thank Anna,
and making things happen. I thank Treasurer, for always being there and
you all very, very much. You all did trying to help out with every li�le
a wonderful job from the beginning thing there is to do.
of the year until now. We definitely And last I would like to thank Jack-
would like to give out more awards ie, Secretary, for taking meeting min-
by the end of the year banquet. I had utes and trying to be there at all time.
a great time at the banquet and I
hope you all enjoyed yourself at the I would also like to thank all the
Appreciation Banquet too. sponsors and those who supported
I would also like to thank those who us. Thanks to Anh Trung Lâm and
stayed back to help clean up the place. Chị Thu Lê for supporting the Ý
My thanks to Anh Huy and Chị Thức’s first issure.
Xuân for making the slideshow and And many thanks to the judges
always being there for UVSA. I love who came out and helped with the
you both. Talent Show Competition during
Special thanks to Anh Trí for do- the Tết Festival. Chị Thanh Thảo,
ing such a great job with the system. I Anh Brandon Nguyễn, Chị Debbie
would also like to thank the other advi- Nghiệm, Anh Nhật, and Anthony.
sors who were unable to make it to the You are wonderful judges!
banquet for all their support and hard Last, but not least, I would like to
work: Anh Kelvin, Anh Hiền, Chị Julia thank my parents. Without my par-
and Anh Việt. I know that they were ents, I wouldn’t be here today. I thank
there with all of us in spirit. my parents for always being there
Next, I would like to thank my for me, always supporting me with
Executive Board members, for with- every li�le thing that I do. I would
out them, there wouldn’t be me: like to thank them for staying up
Thanks to Quyên, External Vice with me late to finish wrapping and
President, for being such a great help frying egg rolls. Without my parents,
to me and a great emcee and keep- I couldn’t move forward as well as I
ing the crowd up and going. He also want to. I love them both a lot.
makes me smile. Again, thank you everyone for be-
ing a part of UVSA’s family! [!]

BanQuet LETTER BY PHƯƠNG TỪ


PHOTOGRAPHY BY ĐẶNG NGUYỄN
FEBRUARY 28, 2004
The banquet was held at the Saigon Business Center, San
José.

Michelle attends the University of California, Santa Cruz.


She is UVSA’s beloved president. You may reach her at
president@norcaluvsa.org.

21
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


Via-1
Members of the UVSA Northern Cali-
fornia a�ended the �nd Annual Viet-
namese Interacting as One (VIA-�)
Conference, this year held at the Uni-
versity of Michigan, Ann Arbor. There
were ��� a�endees, and the conference
hosted workshops discussing social is-
sues, developing management skills,
and ge�ing to know other students

CONFERENCE from the Midwest United States region.


I lugged my briefcase and hauled into South-
west Airlines. “We have to take the next flight,”
Quyền teased. No, we made it with �� minutes to
Delegation of California students attend spare. But we got to be the last of the last to board
Midwest regional leadership conference. the plane. So we took whatever seats we can find,
most of us being separated from the rest. I took
my seat with a cute Berkeley student to my le�,
ARTICLE & PHOTOGRAPHY and a financial advisor to my right. Needless to
say the financial advisor ruined any hopes of me
BY BẢO THIÊN NGÔ being able to talk to the woman to my le�. “Mobile
MARCH 19–21, 2004 homes, that’s the future!” Well, I don’t have any
The VIA-1 Conference was held at the
money to invest, but thanks for the tip.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. More
information at http://www.via1.org.
A few naps and stock discussions later, we
landed in Chicago Midway Airport, stretching
our aching backs from the long flight. Quyên, Đan,
Brian, and I headed over to the baggage claim,
NorCal UVSA Delegation
while Phương, Chị Xuân, and Tâm were waiting
back at the gate for us (how did they miss us‽). To
our surprise, there was a group of people waiting
to greet us, and made a large “Welcome NORCAL
UVSA” banner. Next time I should write down
names, because I am horrible with names. We met
people from the Illinois Vietnamese Student Union,
those coming from the Intercollegiate Vietnamese
Student Associations of New England (IVSA-NE),
UVSA of Southern California, and of course our
beautiful selves to add to mix. We were greeted
with Hawaiian leis. Quyên, who worried that his
luggage would be lost, found out that his luggage
was sent to the wrong city. Our first stop: China-
town, Chicago for a late night dinner. We ended
up staying at Anh Thức’s apartment for the night,
playing “Mafia” instead of sleeping.

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 22
NorCal UVSA, IVSU, and IVSA New England
travel to eat KFC.

By the next morning, Friday, we drove to Ann is too much responsibility. I felt the same way. It’s
Arbor where the conference was being held, and
that was another four and a half hours. Đan, Brian,
hard to step up if you feel you don’t have the sup-
port structure; it’s hard to keep going if you feel
I remember a
and I sat at the back of the van, with only Phương’s
hair to play with. They asked me if I brought a
you don’t have people who believe in you.
We climbed to the ��th floor of the John Han-
lecturer asking
jacket because it was expected to snow. “Oops.”
Thanks Brian for lending me your sweater.
cock Center Observatory one evening to view the
city lights. It was an incredible feeling, both of ex-
us “Why? Why?
As we circled Ann Arbor at night when we fi-
nally arrived, Anh Thức’s infamous looping even-
hilaration and of solitude. There was a group of us
on that ��th floor, but the feeling of solitude I feel
Why? Why?
tually led us to our motel: the Red Roof Inn. We
arrived fashionably late to the ice breaker events
is that I didn’t know what was going on in the oth-
er �� floors beneath me. So that’s where we stand:
Why?”—and
that was part of the VIA-� Conference itinerary.
We were split up into groups, although I can’t say
above the earth, with the daily energy of life flow-
ing at ground level. But even if that is true, Loan
that the an-
I remember their names (except the group leader
Bảo, the same name as mine). This is where I got
asked me, “So you like art?” I do. And from there
on, on that ��th floor, a conversation blossomed. I
swer eventu-
to meet students from various colleges from Min-
nesota to Pennsylvania. A�er the brief ice breaker,
guess you have to make your own energy, no mat-
ter where you are. And it didn’t ma�er so much to
ally came to be:
everyone was free to have fun in town. Some went
bowling. Others went to a bubble tea café (not
me what the people on the other �� floors were do-
ing. There were people on the same floor as I was,
“Because for
boba). And, well, many of us went back to the Red
Roof Inn and socialize.
who were my friends, and need support from me
as much I need support from them.
some reason
On Saturday, this was the bulk of the confer-
ence. Because it was such a long day, I can only tell
As Tâm would repeat frequently a�er our car-
amel popcorn, overnight bowling excursion, and
we put money
you what I remember. I remember Bảo Phi stirring
up awe and controversy in the crowd with his emo-
miscellaneous unmentionable activities, “Only in
Chicago.” [!]
before people.”
tionally impacting poems. I remember a lecturer
asking us “Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?”—and
that the answer eventually came to be “Because for
some reason we put money before people.” I re-
member a�ending workshops to discuss social is-
sues such as HR��� which encourages universities
to outreach to minorities, discussions on gang life,
and why first generation and second generation The Jade dance group perform
Vietnamese have different values and expectations. at the VIA-1 banquet.
I remember everyone broke off into groups to talk
about issues on running an association, and brain-
storming solutions to those issues, such as how to
make a smooth leadership transition.
We spent the rest of the time with the Illinois
group, traveling through Chicago for their pizza,
their sights, smell, sub-zero temperature, sky-
scrapers, and Windy City love. I think I can’t tell
you what much of the trip felt like. Sometimes you
had to be there. But I had this feeling that there
was a sense of despair, a feeling of “What can I
do?” It’s not just what us Californians can do in
Chicago, but also what the Midwestern Vietnam-
ese students can do for themselves, for each other,
and for the rest of the world at large. There is hesi-
tation, as though the responsibilities of the world

23
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


Recent Controversy
on the Miss Vietnam
Tết Pageant BY CHRIS LEE

T
JANUARY 2004
HE MISS VIETNAM TẾT PAGEANT OF The pageant was held in
Northern California has been celebrated at San José.
Tết festivals since 1987. The contestants are
young women between the ages of 17 to 25, Chris is a short and bipolar
of Vietnamese descent, attending or a graduate of senior at San Francisco
Kim Hoàng Tống resigned after nude photos surfaced on State University and if
college, whom exemplifies the Vietnamese impor-
the Internet. anyone has a problem,
tance on education.
please email
The pageant is not based solely on appearance, controversy as trivial and many argue that Tống bao.t.ngo@norcaluvsa.org
hence the exclusion of a swim suit competition and should be able to retain her crown. Hence the pag- because she doesn’t want
will instead model áo dàis, a traditional Vietnamese eant organizers have decided to accept Tống’s res- her email account over-
costume that elegantly covers a Vietnamese female ignation, but have also given her a second chance flowing with hate mail.
from neck to feet and yet are very sensual. to remain a role model for the younger Vietnamese
Miss Vietnam Tết of Northern California will rep- Americans, to tell her story and guide them in the
resent the traditional values of domesticity, modesty, right direction.
and also beauty. The contestants must possess an I believe this controversy, though scandalous to
understanding of and be fluent in the Vietnamese
language. Though it is important that the contes-
some, have had a positive impact. Not only have Have our
it changed Tống’s life, it has taught her and will
tants hold traditional and cultural characteristics,
they must also exhibit awareness and apprecia-
teach many others that every choice you make has values and
a consequence. Everyone must weigh the present
tion for the dominant society’s culture also. The
contestants will be questioned on their opinions of
and future benefits or sacrifices a decision will have traditions so
on their life. Most importantly, every problem has
controversial issues that are shaping our commu-
nities today and also questions pertaining to our
an answer; you just have to work hard towards it. deteriorated
traditional ideals of abstinence from premarital sex,
filial piety, and many items that hold significance
On February 15, Caroline Nguyen, winner of the that these
young ladies
Miss Vietnam USA of 2004 admitted that she had
to Vietnamese Americans, such as red envelopes.
not graduated from UC Berkeley as she had report-
Once Miss Vietnam is chosen, she will be a role
would
ed on her applications. Miss Nguyen attended UC
model for the younger generation of Vietnamese
Berkeley from 1998 until 2003 and only needed
Americans that will make an impact in this country
conceal and
two more courses to receive her degree. However,
that we now call home today. pageant judge and Garden Grove Councilman Trần
With this in mind, I now bring up the recent
give false
Thái Văn said that education, a college degree, and
controversy involving Miss Vietnam of Northern Cali- honesty are not requirements for the competition,
fornia. The 21-year old student of De Anza College,
information
but “the contestant’s honesty is important to the
Kim Hoàng Tống, has been the talk of Vietnamese judges and the Vietnamese community.” In face of
circles, due to the fact of her posing nude on an
about
recent controversies, it is brought to the Vietnamese
adult website in which she eventually resigned her community’s attention once again, the morality of
crown. She apologized to her parents and the Viet-
themselves?
Vietnamese Americans today. Have our values and
namese community for an act she said was stupid traditions so deteriorated that these young ladies
and explains she only did it because she needed the would conceal and give false information about
money after leaving home. Her actions bring to mind themselves? It is important that pageant officials
two issues, the Vietnamese morality and breaking make more effort into screening the contestants for
down of traditional values, which both have affected accurate information and any concealed information
the actions taken by the pageant organizers. that may mar the images of a Vietnamese woman,
The moral issue of Tong posing nude on an adult which the winner of these pageants will represent.
website to the traditional Vietnamese is a great The first incident was seemingly miniscule and even
affliction. The Vietnamese take pride in its humil- made the Vietnamese critics seem too cynical. On
ity and if such an action was accepted, it would the other hand, this second incident, in the same
break down the whole Vietnamese foundation and year, only proves that each incident is never too
the pageant’s theme of domesticity and modesty small and must be taken seriously. Pageant officials
would lose its credibility. However, the younger have a lot of work to do ahead of them to insure
Vietnamese Americans ideologies have changed that nothing like this shall happen again. [!]
throughout the years. Many Vietnamese Americans
are more liberal towards sex and religion, with less
importance in filial piety and a greater emphasis in
individualism. This same group has waved off the

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 24
Help Register
Voters At
of VAPRI
Students

Festival
Spring
The sizable group of members (Vy,
The Sunday Crew for the voter
registration drive: Tuyền, Chris,
Caroline, Huyền, Chris D., Dương,
David, and Hà.
ARTICLE BY JEANNIE T. PHẠM Lessa, and Duy) who came to help
& DUY B. VÕ on Saturday was faced with sev-
JANUARY 2004
The voter registration drive was held in San José. eral minor problems. Of the most
particularly annoying were hav-
The Vietnamese-American Policy Research Institute (VA-
PRI) aims to promote involvement in the political process ing to look for the correct location
by raising social awareness and organizing community of the booth and the lack of an elec-
service programs. You can find more information about
them at http://www.vapri.org. trical outlet for the voting machine.
Nevertheless, everything went quite smoothly
thanks to everyone’s efforts! At first, the people
who passed by did not display much interest, but
that only pushed our members to get out and ac-
tively persuade people. Caroline managed to get
two police officers to register on the spot! The en-
thusiasm waned towards the end of the day as our
members resorted to other activities as sources of
amusement, which included tag. Duy and Huyền
went onstage to promote voting. Of course, Sun-
day was bound to be more successful a�er hav-
ing a li�le more experience on our hands. At the
end of the day, we picked up two new members:
Caroline T. Vũ with VAPRI
Jeannie Phạm, and Rosalind Hà!
supporter Mr. Thomas
Nguyễn. On Sunday, we had a considerably less
number of helpers (Tuyên, Chris D., Star, David,
and Hà) but the effort was still as productive as
Sunday’s. All would not have gone smoother than
Sunday, if it had not been for the additional help
from the vendors around the area! A woman do-
nated some decorative flowers, extra chairs, and
even a tablecloth, for our booth and also helped
arrange it! The main a�raction that was success-
ful in gathering several patrons was the new vot-
ing machine. It was a fun and productive event for the
group. [!]

Brian & Judy Đỗ stop by the


VAPRI booth to try out the
new voting machine.

25
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


students assist with
citizenship day
By David Trần and Jeannie T. Phạm

O
NE OF VAPRI’S BIGGEST EVENTS
was Citizenship Day, on Saturday,
March 27th, where non-citizens were
welcome to come and receive an
orientation on becoming a citizen; therefore,
its purpose was mainly informative rather than Front: Julio, Elaine, Leesa.
Back: Duy, Eileen, David.
executive.
We were invited by Richard Hobbs to pro- booths set up that day.
duce a number of volunteers, a staff to work Sai Amath gladly loaded
with the Legal Room, and a non-member to Elaine and
up on the complimen- Charles at the
work petitions. VAPRI enthusiastically set to tary American flags and legal table.
the task about 3 weeks earlier than the actual Leesa Nguyễn opened
event date! Prior to the event was a training her own free checking
session – March 26th, the day before Citizen- account with Bank of
ship Day, where general information was given America. Oh! Free hand
on what to do. Although the turnout of staff puppets were also given
members was mediocre, the meeting was out and VAPRI members
informative, none the less and ended with free appreciated them im-
snacks and beverages! mensely (especially Khang).
On the following morning, Citizenship Finally, around 11:00AM all
Day, David Trần worked with the SIREN and 20 of our members were able
CET staff to coordinate the volunteers. Staff to take a breath and slow down
members who arrived were put to work im- for lunch. The lunch provided
mediately at areas such as the Vietnamese by CET and SIREN was mostly,
presentation room or at the Asian Law Alliance if not all, edible. The best part
table. As we were diligently performing our was that most, if not all, of our
tasks, our president, Duy, ran about looking members were able to get to
for missing staff members and yelling into his know each other during the
walkie talkie to the unfortunate person at the lunch break. Of course, there
receiving end. Of course, he was doing his job too. was much more work to be done so everyone Bảo and Duy at the information booth.
Throughout the day, things went slowly at took leave from our drinking game, (of fresh,
certain points and rapidly at others due to the bottled water).
‘rush hours’ when the public would rush from The last few sessions seemed to end
their presentation rooms. Those volunteer- quicker and as the crowd from the last session
ing in the legal rooms would keep the public left, we cleaned up and started to head home.
(and their children), in order and those in As we reflected upon the actions and
the presentation rooms would help pass out purpose of the day, many of us came to
papers and try to answer any questions the realize the benefits we take granted for that
public may have had, similar tasks to that of a non-citizens aren’t able to have; moreover, it
teacher’s aid. felt great to be able to help them become
Meanwhile, staff members who were not on citizens. We helped make it a success! [!]
their ‘shift’ went around exploring the several

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 26
vietnamese california
marine killed on patrol in iraq
Thu Mar 25, “We live in a fantasy world, a
9:49 PM (AP) world of illusion. The great task in
life is to find reality.”
SAN MATEO, Dang joined the Marines last
Calif. - Former April 14, about a month after the
classmates and start of the war in Iraq. A combat
teachers remem- engineer assigned to 1st Combat
bered a 20-year- Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Divi-
old Marine who sion, I Marine Expeditionary Force
was killed while on patrol in Iraq’s based at Camp Pendleton, he had TRUNG LAM
volatile Sunni Triangle as an all- been in Iraq for two weeks when he Realtor®\Loan Consultant
around student, athlete and nice guy. was killed by a rocket grenade.
Lance Cpl. Andrew Dang, who Flags flew at half-staff at
died Monday when he was hit by Aragon High and the state Capitol
hostile fire during a patrol near Ar this week in Dang’s honor. Gov.
Ramady, Iraq, graduated in 2002 Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a
from Aragon High School in San statement commending him. I want to congratulate
Mateo, where he worked on the “Andrew served our country
school newspaper, helped start the with honor and distinction,” the all students for another
robotics club, and played on the
varsity football and wrestling teams.
governor said. “We should all
be thankful for his sacrifice and
successful school year.
“He was polite, he was nice, admire his courage. Our thoughts
he was super loyal and coura- and prayers go out to his family
geous,” said Aragon varsity foot- and friends.”
ball coach Steve Sell. “He was un- Dang’s family could not be
dersized for a defensive lineman, reached to offer their own re-
but he didn’t back down. He’s the membrances. He is survived
kind of kid you would expect to go by his mother, Antoinette
overseas and do his part because Medina of Foster City, and
that’s the way he was here.” by two younger brothers, An-
On Tuesday, Sell retired Dang’s thony and Anderson. [!] E & FINAN

S
AT
old number and hung his Number
CI
T
REAL ES

AL

46 jersey in the team’s locker room.


, INC.

“We live in a fantasy world, a world of


illusion. The great task in life is to find reality.” H
T

EB IC
EST SERV
Other faculty recalled the
stocky, crewcut youth as a strong
student who graduated in the top 408-605-5889 Mobile
10 percent of his class with a 3.7 408-289-5370 Office
grade point average. Under his 408-289-5375 Fax
senior yearbook picture, he placed
a quote from British novelist Iris trunglamrealtor@hotmail.com
Murdoch that summed up his www.trunglamrealtor.com
view of life at age 18:

27
Ý THỨC
2004
June

United Vietnamese Student Association of Northern California


recognition

FESTIVAL BOOTH Front Desk Coordinator Balloon Assistant Coordinators


January 31–February 1, 2004 (Michelle) Phương Từ, UVSA Hồng Trần, YBVSA
Huyên Nguyễn, YBVSA
Booth Coordinator Judges
Bảo Thiên Ngô, UVSA Chị Thanh Thảo Balloon Handlers
Anh Brandon Nguyễn YBVSA
Booth Participants Chị Debbie Nghiệm
UVSA Anh Nhật Scooters Co-Coordinators
DACVSA Anthony Phạm Quyên Nguyễn, UVSA
ReachOUT Bảo Thiên Ngô, UVSA
Leland VSA Opening Lion Dance Coordinator
Resources for Families and Hạnh Lê, IHS Vietnamese Club Scooters Assistant Coordinator
Communities Daniel Đỗ, CHS VIC
Opening Lion Dance Performers
UVSA Booth Monkey Performer IHS Vietnamese Club LDR Scooter Performers
Sơn Nguyễn, CALVSA CHS VIC
TẾT PARADE
UVSA Booth Costume Designer February 1, 2004 Traditional Dress Co-Coordinators
Bảo Thien Ngô, UVSA (Michelle) Phương Từ, UVSA
Maily Phạm Tết Parade Coordinator Jacqueline Thanh Bùi, UVSA
(Michelle) Phương Từ, UVSA
UVSA Booth Make-Up Artist Traditional Dress Assistant
Jacqueline Thanh Bùi, UVSA Rehearsal Food Co-Coordinators Coordinators
Jacqueline Thanh Bùi, UVSA Casey Dzương, PHHS VSBA
UVSA Booth Set Designer Anna Nguyễn, UVSA Thuý-Khanh Trần, SJHA VSA
Anthony’s Dad Quyên Lý, BAVSA
Banner Coordinator
UVSA Booth Handlers (Michelle) Phương Từ, UVSA Traditional Dress Performers
Việt Hoàng Ngô PHHS VSBA
Independence Vietnamese Club Banner Designer SJHA VSA
Bảo Thiên Ngô, UVSA BAVSA
TALENT SHOW Float Coordinator
Banner Walkers
COMPETITION Jacqueline Thanh Bùi, UVSA Anna Nguyễn, UVSA
January 31, 2004
Bảo Thiên Ngô, UVSA
Anna Nguyễn, UVSA Float Decorators
Talent Show Competition Quyễn Nguyễn, UVSA
Quyên Nguyễn, UVSA
Coordinator \ Stage Manager Hạnh Lê, IHS Vietnamese Club
(Michelle) Phương Từ, UVSA
Jacqueline Thanh Bùi, UVSA PHHS Interact Club
Lion Dance Coordinator
Assistant Stage Manager Float Representatives
Hạnh Lê, IHS Vietnamese Club
Thôi Trịnh, ReachOUT Quyên Lý, BAVSA
Lion Dance Performers Emily Nguyễn, APHHS Vietnamese
Masters of Ceremony Club
IHS Vietnamese Club LDR
My Chí Hoàng Nguyễn, IHS Vietnamese
Quyên Nguyễn, UVSA Club
Balloon Co-Coordinators
Vân Phạm, UVSA Huyên Nguyễn, YBVSA
Quyễn Nguyễn, UVSA
Steven Trịnh, UVSA Trang Phan, PHHS VSBA
Bảo Thiên Ngô, UVSA
Anna Việt, CHS VIC
Technical Coordinator
Quyên Nguyễn, UVSA

Ý THỨC
Năm 2004
Tháng 6

Tổng Hội Sinh Viên Học Sinh Việt Nam miền Bắc California 28

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