6 Indy Asian American Times Friday, August 02, 2013 Community 社区 2013 年 08月 02日 星期五 The 20th IACA-Telamon Scholarship Competition and Award Ceremony It began twenty years ago with a casual with present’s uncertainties. conversation between Mr. Albert Chen, This year’s theme for the middle school paper is the founder of Telamon Corp., and a few “Is Chinese Culture Part of My Life?” and for the friends that happened to be IACA members. high schoolers, “Do You Consider Your Upbringing At some point, Mr. Chen expressed his Chinese, American or a Mix of the Two?” For the first wish in seeing more young people engaged time, the committee received several direct feedbacks in creative thinking and writing, and to from the participants as to how much they like the promote that, his willingness to sponsor subject. (A few of the papers will be published shortly a scholarship fund. Upon hearing this in this newspaper so the excellent work could be noble and generous gesture, his friends shared with the public). immediately volunteered IACA’s service Benny Ko, on behalf of IACA and his committee to bring it about. The rest, as they would colleagues, gave thanks to the host and sponsor. He say, is history. then turned to the young scholars present and reminded IACA President Vicky Ko with Telamon’s Ms. Carmen Hendrixson, Mr. Chen’s them that as they are about or soon to take the next big Carmen Hendrixson executive assistant, was already waiting 2013 IACA Telamon Scholarship winners & their proud step in life, it is not so much winning a competition This annual scholarship competition is an when the guests arrived. As far back as families that matters as partaking in one. Learning should be a event sponsored by the Telemon Corporation and I could remember, this lady has always Yayue Van and Benny Ko. Their work has been made life long process, Ko said, and the joy of discovery is administered by the scholarship committee of the volunteered her own time to make the facility available easy because of experience passed down by former a reward in itself. Push the envelope; tackle subjects Indiana Association of Chinese Americans. The for the occasion and does so with a smile. Ms. Sunny committee members, one of whom, Agnes Yam that are outside one’s comfort zone, he urged them. He competition is opened to all students sharing a Chinese Lu, gave a warm and welcoming speech on behalf of Wolverton, has just recently gone off the committee concluded by saying happiness can be found in any heritage, from Indiana high schools and middle Mr. Chen and the Telamon Corp. She struck a cord with as its chairperson but remains very helpful. The work and all walks of life, stick to one’s conviction but schools. This year is the 19th anniversary of its the students by sharing her own immigrant experience more challenging task for the committee is to come be sure to abide by good morals and ethics, and remain inception and it took place last Sunday at the Telamon and as an ethnic minority growing up in America. up every year with a theme for the proffered papers kind and compassionate to others. corporate building in Carmel, Indiana. The event was Prizes were then given out to the participants, eleven that are meaningful and at the same time, thought well attended by representatives of Telamon, members winners in total. provoking. To do so, the committee has to try to Report and photos by Dr. Benny Ko of IACA, the young participants, their proud parents The current IACA scholarship committee consists of close the generational gap and think as if they are the and family members. three members, they are Eileen Tsai, the chairperson, teenagers facing future’s promises but still wrangling Indianapolis Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Sponsor Medical Seminar Is Chinese Culture Part of My Life? by Lael Bian Grace Allen would ask me “don’t you eat cat and dog for dinner?” Lael Bian Grace is a recent graduate class 2013 I’ve always wanted to say “why no, do you?!” but I from Plainfield High School. She is the First never had enough guts! I would just say, “umm no?” Place winner of 2013 IACA Telamon high school The look of utter shock when people would find out scholarship. The scholarship criteria are based on my parents were white was quite priceless! Most of an essay and public services. Congratulation to Lael these people have no idea that there are orphans in the Bian Grace for a job well done and we wish her all world. So the fact my parents are of a different skin the best for her future endeavor. color completely mind boggles them. I was the very first one in my immediate, and My upbringing as a Chinese girl living in a non- extended family to be adopted from China. Since 1998, Chinese country has definitely shaped me to be the I now have seven younger siblings all from China, unique person I am today. Growing up a different with two more on the way! My parents are leaving in skin color as my parents and two older siblings was late August to get them! I have eight younger cousins never weird to me. It only became weird once I went all adopted from China as well. My dad always said to school and kids would ask me questions that I did that I was the guinea pig, so it was good that I turned not know how to answer. It was at that point in my out! Because seventeen more orphans got saved. I life when I knew I was different. Prior to these odd was almost four, so I do still have a few memories of experiences, I never looked at my family or neighbors China, but not much. I remembered sitting in a circle differently. But the day I went to kindergarten and with other kids, waiting for the nanny who was in the beyond, it has been something I have had to get used middle, feed us rice and broccoli out of one bowl. I to. Dealing with rude comments from boys, or probing also remember waking up one night because my questions from interested teachers, it has all been a partner who shared the crib with me peed herself. I wild ride. Being adopted and Asian, absolutely made also remember standing in line to get hosed off and the me stand out. I never felt like I ever could blend in An afternoon seminar, titled “Commonly This is the first lecture of a medically themed good kids got to take a bath together. Those are about and lay low in school. I was smart in school, and that Encountered Eye Diseases,” was given by Dr. Rudy series sponsored by the Indianapolis Buddhist Tzu Chi all the memories of China that I have left. is what everyoneexpected from an Asian. The added Yung, professor of opthalmology at Indiana University Foundation. In August, a class will be conducted on I realized as I got older that no matter how badly pressure sure made me work harder in school, not School of Medicine, on July 27 at the headquarter of the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. All are welcome to I wanted to be raised completely American, it was only to prove to myself that I could achieve anything I Indianapolis Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. The small sign up. virtually impossible. All the questions I have been wanted, but also to fulfill the stereotype that Asians are venue was packed with over 60 guests. The audience Report and photos by Dr. Benny Ko asked my whole life about adoption, and being Chinese, very smart! I can easily say that my upbringing was was captivated and entertained by Prof. Yung’s light- all stems back to my biological heritage. So let’s face it, a mix of Chinese and American. I am like a banana, hearted explanation in lay language and in Mandarin, I would not be here in America today, if it weren’t for yellow on the outside and white on the inside! of a sophisticated medical matter. Opportunity was my Chinese culture. I started embracing my Chinese I would say that my upbringing was mostly then offered for questions; good ones were asked and heritage in high school when I had the idea to make American because my parents did not really make me better answers were given. hats to ship to various orphanages in China. If I told keep up on my Asian culture, nor did I really want to. I A specially prepared documentary film on cataract myself what I knew now, to myself at 15 years old, I remembered going to Chinese New Year festivals, and surgery was then shown. It evoked surprised never would have believed that I was responsible for Chinese parties with other adopted Chinese kids, but exclamations and laughters, after which the seminar putting smiles on over 2,500 orphans in China. I never I felt out of place. I never thought I really fit in. I just came to a joyful conclusion, leaving the audience had a goal of touching over 2,000 orphans’ lives, but I saw myself as an American. So when I went to school satisfied and speaker feeling accomplished. Casual am proud that I am responsible for their smiles. Seeing and some comment would be made to get me upset, I medical consultation continued into the apres-lecture the direct effects of my efforts makes me realize that would not know how to respond. For example, kids social hour. God has placed me in this family, state, and country to do something for the other 98% of orphans that will never be adopted. I plan to go to Marian University to become a nurse. I know that my career goal will have GUAN GONG 關公 been achieved when I am able to go to the orphanage 三國演義: 赤面秉赤心，騎赤兔追風，馳驅時無 to one’s family, friends, and superiors are vital that saved me. I want to be able to look at a child in the 忘赤帝。青燈觀青史，仗青龍偃月，隱微處不愧 Dr. Patrick Lau was measures according to Confucian moral standards. eye and help them with whatever physical need they 青天。 born in Hong Kong and Many Chinese shopkeepers and restaurateurs set up need fixed. Having this symbolic act will solidify that immigrated to the U.S. after a shrine in their premises with Guan Yu’s picture, I did not get adopted for no reason. I have always had high school. He retired the burning desire inside of me to go back to China and from the VA Northern worshipping him, hopefully, in return, they would acquire blessings, fortune, prosperity and protection help in the country that gave me life. Indiana Heath Care System My upbringing made me become a strong, where he served as Chief from him. Businessmen consider integrity, credit independent woman that learned to not care what Radiologist and moved to and virtue, symbolized by Guan Yu, are important in Florida with his wife in conducting business. Traditionally, it is common in others think of me. I think these three qualities are 2011. He was an active Chinese societies to associate him with the code of essential in every person’s life. But I got to achieve member & contributor of righteousness 義, which also encompasses uprightness them sooner because of my exclusively unheard of IACA and ICMA while in and justice. childhood. It is not the fact that it is just me that had Indiana. Dr. Lau is also a Guan Yu is fervently worshiped by Buddhists, Taoists an interesting upbringing, but my family as a whole scholar of art and literature is especially unique. What family can say they have and a prolific writer, he has and Confucionists. In Buddhism, he is honored as Sangharama Bodhisattva 伽藍菩薩, the guardian spirit eighteen adopted children from the same country? I been a dedicated columnist know that is something that the eighteen of us can for Indy Asian American of Buddha Dharma, and a protector of monasteries and all relate to. Even though we are not biological, we Times since 2010. their residents. The Taoists revere Guan Yu as the God of Literature, God of War, and Martial God of Wealth. definitely all have a special bond that no other family Guan Gong denotes Lord Guan, an honorable title for his loyalty and righteousness. To make a long story They address him, 關聖帝君 (Saintly Emperor Guan) can come close to emulating. posthumously bestowed to Guan Yu 關羽, also named short, battles were strategically fought among the or 關帝 Guan Di. During Tang Dynasty, Chinese 關雲長 (style name). He was born in in the year 162 three kingdoms, sharing victories and defeats. Once, started erecting Guan Yu temples, Guan Di Miao 關帝 CE. He was a powerful warrior at that time, named Guan Yu was captured by Cao Cao’s force. Cao Cao 廟. His hometown Yuncheng has named its airport after the top of the Five Tiger Generals 五虎上將. He was highly respected him and made him a general after him. Guan Yu’s legacy and commemoration is carried IPFW Hosting the sworn brother of Liu Bei 劉備 and Zhang Fei 張 his concession of defeat. Nevertheless, being loyal on through literature, opera, movies and plays via the Taiwanese Students 飛 (Three Brothers of the Peach Orchard 桃園三結 to Liu Bei, Guan Yu later resigned and rejoined his narratives of the Romance of the Three Kingdom 三國 義). Liu Bei once said, “Brothers are analogous to sworn brother, albeit Cao Cao’s rich reward. Cao 演義 which, in fact, made him an exemplary hero and hands and feet; wives, to clothing. Torn clothing can Cao once said about Guan Yu, “A subject who serves immortalized him. 古人有言: 山東文聖人 (孔子) ，山 be repaired; nonetheless, can severed hands and feet a lord but does not forget his origins is truly a man 西武聖人 (關公) 。 be reattached?” 劉備: 兄弟如手足，妻子如衣服。 of righteousness.” Unfortunately, during a battle with Guan gong has become the quintessence of loyalty, 衣服破，尚可縫；手足斷，安可續？ Wu’s warriors in 219, Guan Yu was captured. After righteousness, faith, wisdom, benevolence, and At the late Han (East Han) dynasty, the Emperor he refused to surrender and renounce his loyalty courage 忠、義、信、智、仁、勇 that can have a had lost his control of the country. There were to Liu Bei, Sun Quan beheaded him. Szuma Chien positive impact on us in today’s society. In addition, several strong feudal lords and court officials power wrote, “Though death befalls all men alike, it may be the strong brotherhood among Guan Yu, Liu Bei struggling to gain control of the throne. The peasants weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather.” and Zhang Fei serves as an impressive symbolic 死有重於泰山, 有輕於鴻毛。 人過留名, 雁過留聲。 representation for friends to stick together and help suffered from an economy downturn, power abuse and Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne Guan Gong is often portrayed in paintings and each other during trying times and hardships. It also government corruption; consequently they organized (IPFW) and the College of Engineering, Technology, sculptures as well as in other art forms. Images depict provides a role model for Chinese immigrants to look to rebel against the government. The most prominent and Computer Science (ETCS) is hosting a delegation 黃巾 him as a tall, robust warrior in green armor (sometimes after each other in the foreign countries. Many Chinese one was dubbed the ‘Yellow Turbans Rebellion’ of 26 students from National Cheng Kung University 起義. 曹操 in a robe) with a red face and a long black beard. He communities in large cities around the world worship Eventually, warlord Cao Cao declared that (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan. 魏 孫權 carries his invented weapon which is a large broad Guan Gong, building temples and setting up altars or he ruled the Kingdom of Wei ; and Sun Quan , The media is invited to attend the first session in 吴. blade mounted on a long handle, called guan dao 關 shrines at home. Professor Yi Zhongtian of Xiamen the Kingdom of Wu Liu Bei proclaimed himself a series of leadership workshops for the students 蜀; 刀. It is also named the Green Dragon Crescent Blade University, a researcher of The Romance of Three the emperor of Shu being a distant relative to the tomorrow, July 23, at 10 a.m. in Walb Student Union, 青龍偃月刀. Red face symbolizes loyalty, devotion Kingdoms, elucidates the reasons for the popularity of Han Emperor’s family, Liu attempted to restore the Room G08. The topic of discussion by the panel will and faithfulness. Guan Gong by stating that he fits into the values of the Han Dynasty. His kingdom was also referred as Shu- be “Community Engagement.” 蜀漢 Gradually Guan Yu evolved to become a God old feudal society, when being loyal to authority was Han . This occurrence was consequently labeled The two-week leadership workshop emphasizes 三國時代 in Chinese folklore. He is popular as a God of regarded as the most significant value. as the Three Kingdoms period (CE220-CE the concepts of leadership while exploring emerging War due to the fact that he was a military leader 五夜何人能秉燭, 九州無處不焚香。 志在春秋功 280). world issues through panel sessions, industrial and with numerous wartime achievements as well as a 在漢, 心同日月義同天。 Guan Yu served as Liu Bei’s top general. Together community visits, engagement with faculty and staff loyal warrior. Police and military forces and even with Zhang Fei, they defeated the rebellions and vowed on campus, and campus life experiences. gangsters worship him; because loyalty is his most to reestablish the Han Dynasty. As a general, Guan Yu Source: IPFW was recognized for his exceptional bravery 過五關斬 valued character. In addition, police officers dedicate 六將 and integrity. As an individual, he was esteemed to justice, righteousness and integrity. Loyalty

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