ON SCENE: Asian Education Advisory Council awards Denver Public School

On Sunday, May 15, the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Asian Education Advisory Council (AEAC) celebrated 36 years! It was the first time since 2019 AEAC met in person to celebrate student and adult winners. Typically, AEAC is celebrated on the first Sunday in May and the awards breakfast is usually attended by 350-400 people. This year about 50 people gathered to honor the top winners in Academics, Leadership and Special Talent at a Maggiano’s.

AEAC is chaired by DPS teacher, Priscilla Shaw-Rahn. Special guests in attendance were DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero, Consul General Mikami Yoichi of Japan, and DPS School Board member Dr. Carrie Olson.

Each year, students and adults are nominated by either a teacher or a peer. All nominators and nominees submit an extensive application that includes work samples and essays. Top winners are selected by a panel of judges and awarded scholarships.

AEAC boardmembers were pleased to celebrate in person. Thank you to boardmembers: Tom Migaki, Ryan Fune, Hazuki Tochihara, Joy Jensen, Steve Kohuth, Khoa Nguyen, Elvina Htoo, Stan Kobayashi. For more information on AEAC, visit aeac.dpsk12.org.

2022 Award Recipients

Academic: Elem: Minh Nguyen, Grant Ranch Middle: Safa Yesir, Hamilton MS HS: Benjamin Wu, Denver Online

Leadership: Elem: Emily Tran, DCIS Fairmont HS: Thaw Paw, MLK Jr. College

Special Talent: Elem: Samantha Bui, Willow Elementary Middle: Kenna Jae Murakami, Hamilton MS HS: Grace Arakawa, Denver Online

Adult: Special Service Provider: YuHsin Lien, Denver Language School Teacher: Katherina Lei, Place Bridge Academy Principal: Esther Mathoka, Place Bridge Academy