By sharing Lincoln Center with my friends, where I had spent years of my childhood as a student of the School of American Ballet, I expanded their horizons and presented a potential source of inspiration. My friends had done, and continue to do the same for me.

The power of a community is in its passionate individuals… “One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.” – E.M. Forster

Clockwise from top left: Lincoln Center’s iconic fountain; Description of a New York City Ballet (NYCB) program that I went to with my friends earlier this fall; Me, age 8, with Madame Tumkovsky, age 92 and one of my teachers at the School of American Ballet; Me, as a toy soldier in the NYCB’s “Nutcracker”, with my sister.

… who expand one another’s, as well as their own, horizons Through my love for dance, I learned about the culture of a nation and became part of a new

community.

Clockwise from top left: Harvard Philippine Forum (HPF) performing at Eastbound, the Asian American Dance Troupe’s annual show, 2008; HPF performing at Cultural Rhythms, the Harvard Foundation’s annual cultural show, 2008; HPF at Cultural Rhythms, 2010; Poster for Typhoon Ketsana Benefit Show, co-hosted by HPF and the Harvard Vietnamese Association, 2009; Backstage for Typhoon Ketsana Benefit show, 2009.

From New York’s Chinatown to Boston’s Chinatown My community is a source of inspiration to me – and I endeavor to return the favor.

Clockwise from the top left: PBHA Chinatown Afterschool, Fourth Grade group photo, 2009; Entrance to Boston’s Chinatown; PBHA Summer Urban Program Staff Dinner, 2008; Chinatown Ice Cream Factory in New York’s Chinatown;; PBHA Chinatown Afterschool, 2007.

Harnessing the Power of Community I am passionate about building strong communities.

Clockwise: Leverett House Intramural Crew Team, Spring 2010; Bernstein Winter Wishes Philanthropy Initiative, Winter 2011; Senior Dinner at Leverett Dining Hall, Winter 2009; Me, teaching a High Water Women Financial Literacy Workshop for low-income graduating high school seniors, Summer 2012.