Community Bonding with Asian American LEAD Virginia Youth Bonding
By Catherine Han, Virginia Middle School Program Coordinator
Photos Courtesy of: AALEAD Staf
Virginia Programs are in full swing for the 2022 year! We are currently at Falls Church High School, Annandale High School, Luther Jackson Middle School, Kilmer Middle School and Poe Middle School. You might have noticed that AALEAD is now at new schools! We are so excited for returning youth to join us, as well as new youth for programs. With that, you know what that means? It is time for our first community bonding field trip! Community is so critical to our overall well being. By hosting a community bonding field trip, it provides a great opportunity for connection and a sense of belonging among Asian American and Pacific Islander identifying youth. They start to build a peer-to-peer network and support amongst each other!
Look at this turnout! Such a wonderful day to explore Washington DC!
Both Virginia region middle school and high school youth all got together for our first field trip of 2022! We were off to DC to explore two art museums, Hirshhorn and National Gallery of Art! Although it was a chilly, February day, there was such a warm presence from everyone interacting with each other, making new friends, and for some, getting to experience and explore something brand new. Ready to see some grand smiles throughout that day, here you go:
Some of our fabulous Poe Middle School youth!
Were you able to find the Giant Blue Rooster? ?
It looks like our youth was successful in finding the Giant Blue Rooster!
Can’t forget our shining high school students + VA high school program coordinator, Kathy too!
As much as youth learn from us, as being their program coordinators. We also learn so much from the youth! One is to stay trendy by learning TikTok dances! Go Kathy (VA High School Program Coordinator)!
All in all, it was a fun-filled Saturday! Youth shared with their program coordinators that this was a highlight during their week! They enjoyed being able to soak in the sunshine, explore new museums, and be able to meet other youths from other schools, as well as other grade levels! This is just one of the many community bonding events, so definitely stay tuned for VA’s next adventure~