By Karun Yee
This year our annual scholarship award program awarded three awards to six deserving students. All entrees were viewed by computer with tech help from Dr. Bob LePierria as the format has changed drastically. All projects performed at excellent levels of achievement developing and presenting their topics to the judging CACS panel (Karun Yee). Having been a judge for over twenty years, I feel the caliber of projects has introduced these students is amazing. CACS’s focus was on Asian related topics.
These are the winners;

• #21006 Confucianism the Virtue of the Future — Junior Individual documentary by Aiden Rae. He outlined the origin and effects on the Chinese and the world in how to live your life involving religion and politics with respect, honesty and integrity. If you live a good life by doing the right things, you should be able to attain the highest level of happiness.
• #31106 One Child Nation – Voices Silenced — Senior documentary by Angelina and Seraphina Gan. This team established why this policy was started because of the fear of future over population, which the government thought it could not provide for all the future generations. The result was devastating and cruel to individuals making this issue a military strangle on them. People were punished for having more than one child and female infants were discarded due to male preference in traditional families. This policy was amended when the population spiraled into so much unrest, and was a disaster.
• #25105 Transcontinental Railroad’s Untold Story — Junior Group Website by Trey Wallace, Kevin Ruan and Adam Scheeline. This project can be seen on YouTube. This team showed the origin of why this project was started and its effects across the nation on the people, places and animals when the change was started. Perils and hazards of building the railroad were pitted against the human casualties that this endeavor took. There are always two sides to a story.

Each individual or team was awarded $100 on March 15, 2025. CACS is so fortunate to recognize these talented students this year.

Representatives of CACS Council and Foundation attended the Jinan Sacramento Sister Cities Corporation (JSSCC) Annual Fundraiser on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Asian Pearl Restaurant in Sacramento. The funds raised at this event give students an opportunity to go to Jinan and China to experience the culture and rich history of their sister cities.

Sonney L. Chong, DDS

By Alex Eng

Sonney’s sudden recent passing on December 23 sent shock waves throughout the Sacramento Community. Many of us are still in a state of disbelief; a Friend of the Community is gone. One of Sonney‘s noted accomplishments was to be the Chair and one of the founders of CAPITAL (Council of Asian Pacific Islanders Together for Advocacy and Leadership) since its inception in 1997. At its zenith of over 91 member organizations, CAPITAL is still one of few successful umbrella organizations comprised of many different ethnic and social based groups. Sonney was instrumental in keeping it together all these years. He was a familiar face, who attended countless events; his way of supporting many organizations and networking throughout his four decades of community service. He embodied the voice of the API through his actions and involvement not only with Asian Pacific Islander groups such as Asian Resources, Inc., CACS, Florin and Sacramento JACLs, OCA Sacramento, My Sisters House, Iu Mien Family Assn., Asian Community Service Center, etc., Sonney established ties with the LGBTQ, Council of Arab Islamic Relations, Jewish Community Relations Council, Filipino and Hmong, and Korean nonprofits advocating against social injustice issues.

Sonney was no stranger to local city and county officials. Illa Collins, Roger Dickenson, Jimmie Yee, and Patrick Kennedy were regular attendees at the CAPITAL meetings. He was appointed to the California State Fair Board for a number of years; was active on the California State University Alumni Association, and was a long time member of the Asian Dentists Association of Sacramento.

Sonney’s family is planning a private family service. A Celebration of Life will be held for Sonney later this year; several friends and community leaders will be planning this. Feel free to send me your thoughts… Kudos to a poor kid from San Francisco Chinatown’s housing development. He served his country during the Vietnam War, established a successful dental practice and became an outstanding community leader.

As BT Collins once said, “Is the world a better place for your having been here?”

Sonney L Chong, you’ve definitely made a difference.

Thank you, Sonney for all that you’ve given us. We are very proud to have known you.

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A Celebration of Life for Sonney Chong will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, from noon to 3pm at Cal Expo, Buildings C&D. Download flyer.

by Karun Yee, Historical Chair
On November 3, 2024, CACS and Folsom History Museum had the unique opportunity to host our annual author luncheon at Lucky Jade Restaurant on South Land Park in Sacramento. Featuring Dr. Russell Low, who traveled from San Diego to show his exciting and very informative documentary film about two amazing books he wrote. Low found inspiration from a 1903 family photograph. After ten years of extensive research and listening to recorded stories made by his 100 years old Uncle Kim, Low was able to piece together an entertaining glimpse into early Chinese American life. The stories are traced from the building of the Transcontinental Railroad building (1860-70’s) to the struggles of immigrant Chinese in the US. A brief question and answer period followed his presentation. He was able to sell a good number of books as the audience was enthralled with his stories.

Thank you to Dee Brown, Superior Court Judge, ARI, CAPITAL, Fiddletown, and Locke Foundation for sponsoring a table at our Annual Author Luncheon.

Many thanks to the entire CACS board who helped set up and take down at our event (Anita, Honey, June, Ann, Joyce, Alex, Franc, Greg, Cathy & David). Certainly, couldn’t done it without you. Thank you to the board members who purchased full tables (Cathy, Franc, Greg, Anita, and Karun.)

Our appreciation goes out to Lucky Jade staff manager May for a splendid lunch and Ann for bringing all that beautiful Asian jewelry to sell. Your presence made our efforts educational, enjoyable and deliciously fun!

CHINESE AMERICAN COUNCIL of SACRAMENTO
and FOLSOM HISTORY
invite you to join us for an
AUTHOR LUNCHEON:
with Russell Low
Author of Three Coins, All American Crew, Avengers,
Wildcats, Crickets, A Willow Tree, and The Iron Road

Date: Nov 3, 2024
Time: 11:30AM to 2:00PM
Place: Lucky Jade Dim Sum Restaurant – 7007 S Land Park Dr, Sacramento, Ca 95821
Cost: $350 table of 10, $45 individual seat

RSVP: Karun Yee at 916 591-8181/[email protected]
by Oct 25, 2024

DOWNLOAD EVENT FLIER

By Karun Yee
CACS Foundation’s purpose for this picnic gathering was to thank all those who helped fund the Chew Kee Roof project and give new people a chance to see the interior of Fiddletown unique Chew Kee Museum. The event was sponsored by CACS Foundation and Fiddletown Preservation Society (FPS).

Our CACS team loaded Franc’s truck and left Sacramento around 8:45am to drive to Fiddletown to set up in the adjacent park to the Chew Kee Museum. LJ and Janet Migliore was there to set up the audio equipment, tables, table cloths and flowers. Other organizations came to set up their tents and tables soon thereafter. Our guests started arriving with all their delicious pot lock dishes around 11:30am.

Karun Yee welcomed guests; did an introductory summary of Dr Herbert Yee’s connection to Fiddletown, the CACS organization and Fiddletown involvement over the years.

The following supporters were recognized; Sacramento Pioneer Association, Yee Family Foundation, Sacramento Historical Consortium, Amador Arts Council, Amador Historical Society, Amador Rotary Club (information board), Sons of the Golden West, and Representative Brian Oneto. Over 70 guests attended this event!

Our resident author; Elaine Zorbas talked about FPS progress in maintaining the
buildings. Presidents of organizations present were introduced. Museum opened by docent Sara Huffington had many visitors.

People came from as far away as the Bay area, and enjoyed the 45-minute scenic drive into the foothills, to share in our picnic lunch. Activities included two mahjong demonstration tables, painted fans/paper folding, informational materials from Locke, Folsom, Shen Yun and CACS.

The Local Grill master – Kenny and Joanne provided delicious grilled chicken bought from the Pokerville Market at a discounted price. Thank you Kenny and Joanne!

Chef David Soo Hoo came with Chinese spare ribs and pot stickers. The variety of Asian and American foods and desserts were overwhelming. Fresh pears from the Delta were donated by Sue and Freeman Lee. Food and friends always promote a happy medium in which to celebrate with old and new friends. Other representatives from local Sacramento Asian groups also attended.

Thank you to our CACS Foundation volunteers Franc Martinez (President), Honey Lum, Anita Lo, Greg Jung, Cathy Wei, Betty Louie and Karun Yee.

CACS Foundation support APSEA 24th Annual Scholarship & Awards Reception on Thursday, April 25, 2024 with a $1,000 Scholarship to Nicholas Lee. Nicholas is a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School with a grade point average of 4.3. He plans to pursue a degree in Business Administration at a 4-year university aiming for a career in sports business. He is a team captain at his school’s swimming and water polo teams, engages in church organizations, and is a proud Eagle Scout. Congratulation to Nicholas.

By Karun Yee
It has been Doug and my pleasure to judge these special historical projects since it’s conception (over 20 years). CACS Foundation awarded $100 each to the following students for their outstanding Senior Group Projects.

Title: Taiping Rebellion: Blood that Revolutionized China produced by Leo Luo and Sikai Lin.
These students were from Elk Grove – Cosumnes Oaks High School. They outlined the history and important people who influenced this revolution in which several million people perished. It was a major turning point in Chinese history. Although this war failed, it focused on major changes in human rights. Misunderstandings and corruption entered the picture and this movement failed against the established Qing dynasty.

Title: At the Crossroads: The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 produced by Nandika Tiwari
and Nora Yariagadda.

These students were from Folsom Vista del Lago High School. This senior group project tells the history of immigration laws leading up to this Nationality Act of 1965. How inconsistent and unfair the US government has treated this issue. The criteria for entering the US was based on political and economical whims of Congress. The constitution stated all men were created equal but the laws for getting into the country set a quota of discrimination.The Chinese Exclusion Act 1882-1942) was quoted as unfair to a particular nationality. President Johnson signed this act.