In January 2022, Cassie Wang, AYLUS National Honorary President and also President of the Greater Princeton Branch, and Andy Gu, President of the Pearland Branch, received AYLUS Scholarship from American Youth Leadership Foundation (AYLF). The scholarship of $500 for each was approved by the AYLF Board of Directors after reviewing their applications.
Cassie Wang and Andy Gu, along with their team members, look forward to working with AYLF Board and AYLUS advisors to lead on the building of AYLUS Scholar Network, a new platform to help students to continue growing after they are out of high school.
Congratulations to Cassie and Andy!
AYLF Board of Directors
Cassie’s essay – My AYLUS Journey & Prospects for the Network:
With an initial crackling of static, the rescue squad’s loudspeakers and my pager announced the emergency simultaneously. It was a car accident. At the scene, the tricolor police lights pierced the night sky. Shards of glass and plastic scattered around the mangled car. A middle-aged man had crashed into a tree. He was weeping as we sat him down on the roadside curb. I gathered bits of the man’s life situation while continuing to check his health. Unable to see his family and struggling with alcohol addiction, life must be tough for him. Thankfully, he did not suffer serious injuries and left in a patrol car handcuffed and not with us. Witnessing a DUI arrest for the first time, I once again recognized my privilege of living in a safe neighborhood.
As a senior EMT member once mentioned, the people we help are often in their worst times of life. Besides treating them medically, we want to remain respectful and understanding. While the man should be penalized for his actions, he deserves the same level of care, which may help prevent future tragedies. In hindsight, this experience may have been the tipping point that prompted me to build a platform to help those who are less fortunate than me, a journey that began when I established a “Save a Life” program under my new branch of AYLUS with the aid of students who shared a common goal.
Two months later, we raised $5185 for a teacher battling cancer. From planning fundraisers to advertising, we learned something new at every turn, sometimes in trial-and-error, and in the process built our experiences for our next project, which was to support an 80+ years old rescue squad and build a new headquarters. Unlike raising money for the teacher, who taught many of us, there was a noticeable lack of enthusiasm. As one member questioned, “Why are we raising money for the squad?”, I realized something was amiss. Most of us have never interacted with a rescue squad, so I contacted the squad for a presentation and found out that we could volunteer to become involved. Now personally participating and truly able to appreciate its service, the process became smooth.
With the advent of pandemic ravaging everyone’s life, I felt more compelled to help out. I called upon our members for a nationwide personal protective equipment fundraiser: N95 masks, face shields, and ICU-grade gowns for those fighting to save lives. Throughout this pandemic, from fundraising, hosting donation drives to uplifting art shows, I have learned the importance of communication, the power of teamwork, and the value of leading by setting examples.
Balancing EMT duties in my spare hours and Columbia coursework, I’ll continue my journey of public service. Building the AYLUS Scholar Network from nothing and reaching out to others, I am aware that we are not only great scholars, but also true citizens of the world – thinkers and leaders who will enrich our communities with our artistic, scientific, athletic and humanitarian contributions.
Andy’s essay – My AYLUS Journey & Prospects for the Network:
As thousands of citizens gathered at Pearland’s 2019 Independence Day Festival, an event filled with festivities and a stunning fireworks display, I was assigned to a bouncy house, one of the numerous attractions. Five hours later, after the fireworks display, with the public gone, the city volunteer coordinator asked for volunteers to stay behind and restore the park. Late into the night, all of us were reluctant. Our shift had left us sweaty and our feet tired; we all wanted nothing more than to return home. As an uncomfortable silence filled the air, I saw my fellow officers’ eyes dart toward each other, each unwilling to lead. Despite also wanting to go home, I raised my hand to volunteer. I felt responsible for following through. If we wouldn’t, who would? After a moment, a few others followed. Before long, our small group had restored the park into pristine shape, ready for use the next day. Events like these solidified the importance of AYLUS’s service in my heart.
My journey started before high school, where I attended our branch’s annual talent show and other events for the City of Pearland. After attending multiple events and seeing the potential for growth for our branch, I ran and was elected as treasurer, where I organized and executed multiple fundraisers aiding local clubs and organizations. Soon after, I was elected as Vice President, where I strengthened the relationship between our city’s volunteer department and our branch, as well as sought new events and opportunities to expand. As 2020 began, I was elected President and the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, causing many challenges. Despite these challenges, our branch continued to grow, as I shifted our branch’s focus to fighting against the pandemic through numerous donations drives and fundraising campaigns. My experience as President for two years and officer for four years has taught me many valuable lessons and set the branch as the premier volunteer force in the area, often being sought out by other organizations.
In my time as President of AYLUS Pearland, reflecting on how a role model can inspire others to act regardless of formal duties or positions, I have realized that the spirit of leadership and service marks great leaders. The pursuit of this spirit has been incredibly gratifying, having encouraged an eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to different environments, qualities I continue to develop and refine. Whether organizing a small but bustling farmer’s market or launching T-shirts at the end of our shift at our July 4th celebration, I always feel a sense of fulfillment connecting with the public and reshaping our community in small but meaningful ways. As an AYLUS Scholar, I hope to inspire this spirit in other members and communities, where I will make an impact beyond my local branch by initiating projects and conveying my experiences to branch leaders.