Breakfast of champions
Annual awards ceremony honors student achievements across Aurora
Joe Nguyen, editor
April 14, 2007

Courtesy of Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Program • Photo by Kit Williams Members of Sol Pinoy perform at the seventh Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership Education Awards Program and Breakfast March 24 at the Radisson Hotel. The group is known for its infusion of hip-hop and Filipino dance.

AURORA – Those who say, “Children are our future,” must be talking about these kids.

Students from kindergarten to high school were honored at the seventh Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership Education Awards Program and Breakfast March 24 at the Radisson Hotel.

Anthony Leem, a student at Cherokee Trail High School, was awarded the Mayor’s Award for Overall Excellence. Leem is a member of the school’s varsity tennis team, is a part of the Model United Nations, is the vice president of Colorado DECA, a state-level association of marketing students, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

“After 10 years of teaching, I confidently rank him in the top one percent of students with whom I have ever worked regarding intellectual prowess and personal characteristics,” according to Cherokee Trail social studies teacher Suzette Phillips in the event’s program.

Aurora Hills Middle School student Souneth Ly and Rangeview High School’s Charina Perez were the recipients of The Spirit Award for persevering through challenges.

Lina Chen of Rangeview won the Community Volunteer Award for her work with the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference and the peer counseling program at her school.

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing,” Chen wrote in her essay, quoting Mother Teresa.

Other award categories included elementary student achievement, middle and high school student leadership, and middle and high school academic achievement.

Sol Pinoy provided entertainment for the morning with its dances. The group infused traditional Filipino styles with hip-hop moves.

Courtesy of Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Program • Photo by Kit Williams Young Lim, left, stands with his teacher and nominator, Peggy Lane, March 24 at the Radisson Hotel. Lim was the top High School Academic Achievement winner.

Other award winners
Elementary Student Achievement:
Ana Seini Maria Fifita, Elkhart Elementary School
Salamasina Fifita, Elkhart Elementary School
Aisha Hoffman, Arkansas Elementary School
Jessica Huynh, Arkansas Elementary School
Christine Long, Arkansas Elementary School
Erin Mecaller, Medow Point Elementary School
Iolesina Noa, Elkhart Elementary School
Chistopher Zheng, Challenge School

Middle School Student Leadership:
Yong “Henry” Kweon, Prairie Middle School
Andy Min, Aurora Hills Middle School

High School Student Leadership:
Suzanne Ngo, Smoky Hill High School
Bowen Yang, Smoky Hill High School
Aurelia Mandani, Gateway High School
Brandon Do, Overland High School

Middle School Academic Achievement:
Joseph Choi, Laredo Middle School
Catherine May Song, Challenge School
Daniel Zheng, Challenge School

High School Academic Achievement:
Young Lim, Smoky Hill High School
Eric Peterson, Hinkley High School
Cathy Lam, Overland High School
Anh-Thu Nguyen, Rangeview High School

Joe Nguyen is the editor in chief for AsiaXpress.com. You can contact Joe via e-mail at Joe@asiaxpress.com.