Members hand out tens of thousands to worthy students

The Wa Sung Community Service Club held its 63rd annual Merit Awards Banquet May 9 at Pier 29 Restaurant. The event ties into the club’s mission to promote community and educational services. The banquet is made possible through the efforts of the Merit Awards committee, perpetual scholarship donors, individual donors, the guest speaker, presenters and junior league and club members.

Wa Sung awarded 14 scholarships totaling $22,000 to well-deserving high-school graduates.

“We encourage our scholarship winners to take advantage of all the opportunities that cross their paths,” stated Wa Sung Social Director Garrienne Nakano. “When encountering adversity, we hope they see it as a challenge and a chance to try again or simply make changes.”

Kristen Chan and Joshua Phelps, students at Alameda High School, were awarded $1,500 each at the banquet. Chan earned the Francis and Eugenie Young Scholarship as well as the Tommy and Rosalie Chan Scholarship. She will attend UCLA in the fall, with a major in economics. Phelps earned the Woo Family Scholarship. He will attend UC Merced in the fall, with a major in engineering.

“Believe in yourself, be happy and don’t be afraid to be unique,” stated Nakano. “Community service is a win-win-win opportunity; so keep it in your life, as it teaches how to give, implements leadership and achieves human kindness.”