Judge: Karun Yee

This year’s theme was “Frontiers in History.” This committee is using more online reporting and allowing the judges more time to view and assess the projects. This is a real learning experience for students to produce a project from research to actual presentation steps that will be an invaluable tool in their futures. This year’s projects were outstanding in their inspiration and focus to bring the information to fruition.

I am delighted to report on the three projects I selected for scholarships this year.

Senior documentary group

#31102 was titled; “The Moving Pictures of Us; Asian American Representation in Film.” This group’s documentary viewed many old movies depicting sterotypes of Asians that influenced the American audience. Also there was a glass ceiling that was hard to break into. Actors like Anna May Wong, Sessue Hayakawa and Bruce Lee were mentioned. Today things have changed and movies like “Everything, Everywhere – All at Once”, and “Crazy Rich Asians”, are slowly changing attitudes.

Senior papers

#33005 was titled;” Vincent Chin, How A Hate Crime Unified Asian American Activists Across the Nation”. Emily Phan gave a stunning account of the events leading up to, during and after the incident where Vincent Chin was brutally killed in Detroit. The after shock of the consequences and injustice led to the formulation of nation wide protests and the coming together of various Asian organizations to have a unified voice.

Junior History paper

#23002 was titled; “God Worshipping Communists – Frontier Against the Last Dynasty.” Noah Tsai wrote about the Taiping Rebellion that forever changed China’s history. The founder of the rebels first based his leadership on civil rights and religious concepts, drawing a massive following, during a time when the government was in chaos and trying to deal with foreign intervention. Millions of people lost their lives fighting for either side. The rebellion had it’s own internal corruption and the ineffective dynasty fell.

Honorable mention:

#35004 Xenophobia and it’s history in the US
#33001 Madame Chien-Shiung Wu – 1st Lady of Physis
#31006 Korean Student Protests
#31005 Hawaii – American Frontier

The Chinese American Council of Sacramento Foundation has always supported the Sacramento Country History Day at Indercum  High School in Natomas. Focused on awarding scholarships to talented students who make a real effort to improve their skills in research and development. This learning experience will serve them well into the future.