By: Daniel Chung
This year, I had the honor of representing the Capital Youth Outreach Club (CYOC) as one of the co-hosting organizations at Montgomery County’s 2025 AAPI Heritage Month Celebration. This vibrant and meaningful event brought together AAPI community members, nonprofits, cultural organizations, and youth groups from across the county and state to honor the richness of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures and celebrate the incredible contributions of our communities. Through service, teamwork, and cultural exchange, I’ve come to realize that being a good student is not enough. True growth comes when we connect, share, give back, make our voices heard, and stand up as future leaders—not just for ourselves, but for the world around us.
The celebration opened with a youth chorus performance of “It’s a Small World,” which I was proud to be part of. Wearing traditional Chinese attire and singing those words reminded me that although we come from different backgrounds, our shared humanity connects us all. At the event, our CYOC booth stood out as a lively and engaging space where we introduced our mission, our journey, and the impact we’ve made in the community. We proudly highlighted the beauty of Chinese culture through traditional and modern displays—from opera masks and tea sets to the Four Treasures of the Study, panda-themed decorations, and Chinese calligraphy. We also offered hands-on activities like brush writing, window paper cutting, and a fun chopsticks game where kids picked up sugar beans. Many families gathered around, played, learned, and celebrated with us. What made it even more special was the opportunity to speak with county and state leaders who stopped by our station, listened to our stories, and took pictures with us. In that moment, I felt seen—not just as a teen, but as someone who could represent culture, kindness, and leadership. I truly realized that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about the ability to connect, to serve, and to make a difference.
As a Chinese Korean American teenager, this experience deepened my pride in who I am. CYOC has taught me that cultural identity is not something to hide or simplify—it’s something to honor, celebrate, and share. I’ve learned that change begins with young people like us—those willing to step up, speak out, and give back. That’s the kind of leader I hope to become. Just as American anthropologist Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Website Editor: Grace Yan
华府青年 CYOC 
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