COVID-19 will not define my generation., what I do in response will

Reported by Youth Chair Jason Shan

2020 is a very unusual year for our country and for everyone one of us, an economic disaster on top of a health pandemic. During this difficult time, Ding Ding TV and Bay Area Youth want to inspire and uplift each other with messages of love and hope, encourage our next generations to tell stories of extraordinary acts of love, and share their love and devotion for our community through video essays. In three weeks, with the support of 8 other national organizations, Received 35 entries from New York, Boston, Wisconsin, Tri-Valley, and Bay Area.

On Jan. 10th 1 p.m. PST 2021, Ding Ding TV and Bay Area Youth Initiative (BAYouth) held the award ceremony for the first-ever “I Love My Community” youth video news competition through Zoom.

The chair of judges Joel Wong described the judging guidelines. Each judge reviewed and scored all submitted videos to generate the top 6 video winners, and one viewer’s choice winner went to the video with the most number of likes.

The competition had 7 winners in total, with 1 viewer’s choice winner, 3 third place winners, 2 second place winners, and 1 first place winner. Third place winners and the viewer’s choice winner will each receive $100; second place winners will receive $200; and the first place winner will receive $300. The winners are as follows:

• First place: Ethan Cheng: A Different Angle

  Second place: Michelle Ahl: Our Love

  Second place: Etta Sou: Bring Joy with Music

  Third place: Sophia Shao: Super Joey Foundation: Love will Never Fade!

  Third place: Alicia Peng: Shine4Love Senior Center Show

  Third place: Christine Han: We Will Push Harder

  Viewer’s choice: Grace Wu: Kindness is a choice

One of the Award Presenters Chris Norwood, Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees president said: “The creation of the “I Love Community” contest, has formed a new community. A community of caring, mindful leaders whose future is brighter than the sun that shines upon us. As I personally reviewed the 36 videos, I learned of so many great things happening across the country. It made me proud. It renewed my commitment to do all that I can and share your stories and work throughout the Silicon Valley and beyond. Each participant exemplified the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. They showed me Faith, Hope and Love.”

Aside from the aforementioned awards, participation awards and awards of excellence were also given. Each participant will receive a drone and an official certificate.

After the announcement of the winners, each winner’s video was played, and they shared their thanks.

Next, VIPs were invited to speak. They are all prominent community figures and heavily involved in helping the youth:

• Otto Lee, Santa Clara County supervisor

• Yan Zhao, Mayor of Saratoga

• Liang Chao, Vice Mayor of Cupertino

• Chris Norwood, Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees president

• Jeff Moe, Fremont Union High School Board

• CC Yin, Founder of APAPA

• Sandy Chau, Chairman of CLUSA

Otto Lee	Yan Zhao	Liang Chao	Chris Norwood
Jeff Moe	Sandy Chau	CC Yin	All

“COVID-19 will not define my generation., what I do in response will. I love my community.  Together, we are stronger.”Chris Norwood said at the event.

Concluding the event, each member of the planning committee gave their closing remarks, and a group gallery picture was taken.

The “I Love My Community” planning committee consisted of:

Jason Shan, youth event chair	Emma Tu, youth chair of promotion	Joseph Shan, youth chair of contents	Judy Zeng, youth chair of contestants
Diana Ding, Event chair	Sandy Wang, co-executive chair	Liyan Zhao, co-executive chair

Ding Ding TV and BAYouth are incredibly thankful to the partners who made this event possible, the judges for their tireless work, the youth for their thoughtfulness in giving back to the community, and the audience members that were able to tune in to the award ceremony.

The judges for this competition are:

• Joel Wong, President of NAAUnited (National Asian American United), Editor In Chief, CLUSA (Civic Leadership USA). National Governing Board member, APAPA (Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association)

• Sandy Close, Founder of Ethnic Media Service, a pioneer in developing youth media

• Hung Wei, Cupertino City Council Member, Board Member and past Board President, Fremont Union High School Foundation

• Praveen Gupta, Mentor of Youth Innovation Program; Lecturer, Lucas College and Graduate School of Business of San Jose State University. Author of several award-winning books.

• Orrin Mahoney, Former Mayor of Cupertino, District governor of Rotary Club, Board Member at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.

• Carl Shan, Cofounder of Teenager Coach Program: Orenda, Senior Scientist at LinkedIn

Joel Wong	Sandy Close	Hung Wei	Orrin Mahoney
Praveen Gupta	Carl Shan

The partners of the “I Love My Community” competition who sponsored students to participate in our event are Bilingual Youth TV, Chunhui Art Academy, Galaxy Art for Children, Able2Shine, with special thanks to the contest’s other sponsors, Civic Leadership USA, National Asian American United, and Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs.

Watch the Live Award Ceremony:

Speech of Chris Norwood, Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees president

Good afternoon. Thank you Ding Ding TV, Bay Area Youth Initiative, the Judges, Sponsors and most importantly the students who shared their stories and experiences. I honor your leadership.

– a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

– joint ownership or liability.

– a group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified habitat.

– a body of nations or states unified by common interests.

–  the people of a district or country considered collectively, especially in the context of social values and responsibilities; society.

The creation of the “I Love Community” contest, has formed a new community. A community of caring, mindful leaders whose future is brighter than the sun that shines upon us. As I personally reviewed the 36 videos, I learned of so many great things happening across the country. It made me proud. It renewed my commitment to do all that I can and share your stories and work throughout the Silicon Valley and beyond. Each participant exemplified the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. They showed me Faith, Hope and Love.

 I have an ask from all the attendees today. If you are able to turn on your videos for a brief moment and wave to this newly formed community.

Please also write in the CHAT – COVID19 will not define my generation.  What I do IN RESPONSE will.  I Love My Community

Thanks again. I look forward to continuing our relationship and the development of a friendship. You are appreciated!

Chris