Student Award

2025-2026 WACA Outstanding Student Leadership and Community Service Award Program

Purpose

For over three decades, the Westchester Association of Chinese Americans (WACA) has remained deeply committed to serving the communities of Westchester County, New York. Since launching the Outstanding Student Leadership and Community Service Award Program in 2009, WACA has proudly sponsored this initiative to honor students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to community service. This prestigious award aims to recognize students who not only serve the community with dedication but also set an inspiring example for their peers.

Participating Schools

• The Chinese School of Southern Westchester

• Huaxia Chinese School of Greater New York

• Huaxia New York Central Chinese School

• HX Scarsdale Chinese School

• Northern Westchester Chinese School

• Other high school seniors in the Westchester area who are learning Chinese and actively involved in community service

Eligibility

Applicants must be current high school seniors who either:

• Are currently enrolled in or have graduated from one of the Chinese schools listed above, or

• Are studying Chinese at a local school in the Westchester area
  and have demonstrated excellence in the following areas:

• Academic performance in both English and Chinese schools

• Leadership and extracurricular involvement

• Community service

Application Deadline

All application materials must be submitted by October 1, 2025.

Nomination and Application Process

• Each Chinese school may nominate eligible candidates.

• Students not currently attending a Chinese school must obtain a nomination from their English high school. In such cases, the English school should submit the completed application.

• Each nomination must include a letter from the school along with all supporting documents.

• All materials, including scanned documents, should be emailed to nywaca@gmail.com by the deadline.

Each candidate’s application must include:

• • Completed  WACA Outstanding Student Leadership and Community Service Award Application Form

  • Nomination letter from the Chinese or English school

  • Academic transcript, standardized test scores (PSAT, SAT/ACT, AP), and any academic awards or certificates

  • Grades from the student’s current Chinese school, if applicable

  • Summary of extracurricular activities, including leadership roles, achievements, and awards (in school, community service, science research, sports, arts, etc.)

  • A personal statement (in English, 200 words or fewer) outlining the student’s higher education and career goals

Award Program Committee

The award program will be overseen by a seven-member committee chaired by a WACA Board Director.

• Each participating Chinese school may be invited to appoint one representative to serve on the committee.

• The remaining members will be appointed by the WACA Board and may include WACA Board Directors or other community leaders with strong records of integrity and service.

Winner Selection Process

• After the deadline, the Award Committee will review all applications.

• Each application will be evaluated anonymously and scored in different categories using a 100-point scale based on the WACA Student Award Score Guidelines.

• To ensure fairness, applicants' names will be removed before review. Scores will be documented on a Candidate Score Sheet.

• The highest and lowest scores for each candidate will be discarded, and the average of the remaining scores will determine the final score.

• The top three candidates will be selected as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

• In the event of a tie, the committee will vote to determine the winner.

• Final results will be submitted to the WACA Board of Directors for approval.

Award Presentation

• Winners will be announced before November 1, 2025.

• Awards will be presented at the WACA Chinese New Year Celebration on February 7, 2026, at the Performing Arts Center, Purchase College.

• Prizes include:

  • 1st Place: $500 + Certificate of Distinction

  • 2nd Place: $250 + Certificate of Distinction

  • 3rd Place: $200 + Certificate of Distinction

• Award recipients must attend the ceremony to receive their awards.

WACA Board Award Program Policy

• Children of current WACA Board members are not eligible for this award to avoid any potential conflict of interest.

• For questions or suggestions, please contact: nywaca@gmail.com

• WACA reserves the exclusive right to interpret, modify, or cancel the rules and processes of this Award Program.

2019 WACA Outstanding Student Leadership and Community Service Award Winners

2017 Outstanding Student Leadership and Community Service Award Ceremony