The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF), Southern Regional Chapter, held the 27th Annual Scholarship Award Banquet on Saturday, August 19th, at the Marriott Century Center in Atlanta.

 

By Anna Kim

Staff Writer

Kim@Kheraldatl.com

 

The 27th Annual Scholarship Award Banquet of the KASF, Southern Regional Chapter, was held on the 19th of August in Atlanta.

46 awardees were given scholarships ranging from $500-$2000, and all the recipients had just what it takes to be a winner at the banquet. Simply put, they made the cut due to their enthusiastic achievements, sincere recommendations, and measurable records of community service.

Since its inception in 1969, the KASF keeps maturing and evolving, with 8,000 recipients receiving the award until 2016. With much excitement, KASF extended the warmest congratulations to all the recipients.

“Over the course of two decades, we have empowered students to become leaders, world changers, and difference makers in the Korean American community and the world abroad. With the increasing uncertainty of today’s world, it is incumbent upon all of us to remember where we have come from and to look ahead to where we will go,” said Kyung Hwa Yoo, Co-President of KASF. “We look forward to these future leaders that you see her today to guide the next generation. We hope that you will use your gifts and talents to not look inward or serve just yourself, but that you would look outward and serve others.”

Typically, the keynote speaker at the annual banquet is a former recipient, but this year some tweaks were made as Sam Park, the newly elected and the only Asian Georgia State Representative from House District 101 in Gwinnett County, took charge of the speech.

He challenged the awardees to discover their purpose, their calling, referring to Proverbs 31:8 NIV in the Bible.

"Through all the difficulties and stormy seasons I have experienced in my young life, faith has always proved itself solid ground. Faith is my foundation. It is how I was able to find purpose through hardship. It is what allows me to be fearless in the face of uncertainty. And I know I am at my best when I am grounded in my faith, which also guides me as a state lawmaker. My faith commands me to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. I am commanded to speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Alongside the Korean American recipients, the KASF, Southern Regional Chapter, has bestowed the scholarship upon the direct descendants of the Korean-American War Veterans since 2014 under the sponsorship of the Chu Family Foundation in order to pay tribute to Korean War Veterans for their sacrifices and hardships during the Korean War. This applies to descendants of veterans who served in the Korean War in the US Armed Forces, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or those who are qualified as regular members of the US Korean War Veterans Association.

12 of the total recipients were descendants of American veterans, and they were all awarded with scholarships of $2000.

Elizabeth Kappler, Georgia Institute of Technology, delivered her memorable award acceptance speech.

“I am a Korean American. One side of me cannot outweigh the other---to do so would be to deny the inherent composition of my DNA. As the biracial daughter of a Korean-American couple and a descendant of an American Korean War veteran, my life and existence is a testament to the power of sacrifice, of love, and of family,” said Miss Kappler. “I am ever grateful for my family and the beautiful story our lives portray. If it wasn’t for my Korean War Veteran, I might not exist.”

The fruitful event was wrapped up with special musical performance, Samulnori, by the Korean Cultural Center. The Korean traditional powerful sound filled up the air and the hearts of the attendees.

 

김언정기자 

 

 

The 27th Annual Scholarship Award Banquet of the KASF, Southern Regional Chapter, was held on the 19th of August in Atlanta.

 

Alongside the Korean American recipients, the KASF, Southern Regional Chapter, has bestowed the scholarship upon the direct descendants of the Korean-American War Veterans since 2014 under the sponsorship of the Chu Family Foundation. 

 

Sam Park, the newly elected and the only Asian Georgia State Representative, makes a speech.