Ms. Jeanette Ling

        My name is Jeanette Ling and I am a senior at Parkway North High School. I am a National Merit Commended Student and received the Dartmouth Book Award. I am also the secretary in National Honors Society and a liaison for a community service group called Students With A Target. I was the varsity captain of my field hockey team this season and was chosen for the All Conference Second Team. I play soccer for St. John Bosco, and I run on my school's track and field team. I am a member of Mu Alpha Theta, International Club, and Junior Achievement. I also enjoy playing piano and drawing.

        OCA Acceptance Speech

        Jeanette Ling

        First and foremost I, of course, need to thank the Organization of Chinese Americans. I am honored to be recognized not only for my leadership skills, but also for my own recognition of my culture's importance. Recently, I had a discussion with one of my closest friends about organizations such as the OCA. Her argument shocked me. She spoke against the existence of associations affiliated with certain religious and/or racial groups. She feels as if these associations exclude others and hopes that everyone may come together as one whole group.

    This is a great vision. But not everyone can understand the differences that set people apart. We should all be proud of our differences, but we cannot allow others or ourselves use these differences to hinder us from achieving success. The goal of the OCA is not to exclude people; instead, it is a way to hold on to our heritage. And because we as minorities are those who are usually excluded, we have an obligation to gain our rights and to also become more active in the community to prove our equality, so that my friend's vision may become more of a reality.

        But here, together, we become a majority; here, we can be with others without feeling alienated; here, there is a feeling of home. And most of all, here, we can learn more about our background, because no matter how hard anyone tries, one can never escape their own identity. When I identify myself, I say, "My name is Jeanette Ling. I am a Chinese-American, and I am 17 years old."

      Right now in my 17th year, I am preparing myself for the future like many others. With this scholarship, the OCA is helping me do just that. I'm sure each applicant was well-deserving of this scholarship. And so, I accept this award for myself and for all the hardworking Asian-Americans out there. Thank you again. Thank you for this award, for making my mother proud, and for helping everyone, including myself, search for equality and learn who we really are.

        Thank you.