Pom Jiab Theatre Group at Edson Auditorium on April 5, 1996 for Asian American Awareness Month
In the Spring of 1996, a number of "diverse" (Korean, Korean-American, Korean Adoptee, Filipino American (me), Vietnamese, and Hmong) students from ASA went on a once of a life time experience to the Hmong Youth Conference in Georgetown University in Washington D.C.
We as a group had the opportunity to learn many issues concerning the Hmong-Hmong American community in this nation. There were some history lessons (Hmongnet article by Amoun VANG SAYAOVONG), like the unforgettable stories from William Colby-a former CIA Director (unexpectedly died of a boat accident a week-month after this conference-still have the article) during the U.S.-Vietnam War involving the recruited U.S. secretly trained Hmong soldiers. Also there were current issues on Hmong-dating-relationships (Lue Her, an expert on this issue, served on this panel-oh la la!
A panel of a workshop in the main meeting area
There were many bonding opportunities within the group during this weekend conference. Yes, there were some tense times (like all trips) within the group. Also, there were some good-fun-memorable times:
-meeting Hmong youth from all over (including a Hmong Adoptee)
-Hmong catered meal w/entertainment (folk dance)
Hmong Folk Dance at 96' Youth Conference
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This was part of our entertainment during our catered Hmong lunch. The children dance to a Hmong folk song.
This was taken at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
http://www.geocities.com/goodnews_usa/washingtondc.html
-touring the beautiful Georgetown University campus witnessing a lacrosse game for the first time and having the honor to see where NBA (see basketball)greats' Patrick Ewing, etc.. first started!
-tour of the White House with a recorder after passing through the beeping metal detectors
-riding the clean underground subways
Washington D.C. Night Tour of the Capitol and Mall
"During our (Asian Student Association of University of Minnesota-Morris for the "Hmong Youth Leadership Conference in 1996) last day at the nation's capital, we ventured out in the late evening touring the famous memorials. We started with the Capitol.."
-last night's walk from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall
Washington D.C. Night Tour of Washington Monument and Mall
""During our (Asian Student Association of University of Minnesota-Morris for the "Hmong Youth Leadership Conference in 1996) last day at the nation's capital, we ventured out in the late evening touring the famous memorials. We are checking out the Washington Monument.."
-eating at China town
-bonding with fellow ASA members (Hard Rock Cafe, night club dancing, etc..) and getting through the sometime challenging times during the trip
A group of us in front of the Lincoln Memorial after the long walk of the National Mall late at night
During the trip, we had to go on separte groups at times, as some wanted to see other sites in Washington D.C. I didn't had the chance to visit the Pentagon, but a friend gave me a brochure that I keep with my pictures from this trip. However, I did have the chance to take a picture of this magnificent structure before I left-when the plane took off....
Picture of the Pentagon (before 9/11) from the plane as we left Washington D.C.
As I look at this picture, I would never imagine this building being attacked (as the WTC, that I too had the chance to visit) as it did in 9/11
...more pictures coming soon!
After the conference, we were asked by the university and others, who helped fund the trip-to do a presentation of this trip. We shared this during the ASA Literary Reading, like the picture down below...
End of the 95'-06' ASA year with a picnic at Pomme de Terre
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