Rifka Bahaman (left) and Trang Tu
Two people and a church were awarded in the March 20 Vietnamese Friendship Association’s 2014 benefit dinner at the UW HUB Ballroom.
The Golden Spring Roll Award for Community Leadership went to Trang Tu, who was recognized for being a lifelong advocate in the Vietnamese community. She is currently a program officer with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she supports the expansion of adult English language learning opportunities and assistance to undocumented immigrant youth in the United States.
The Golden Banh Mi Award for Service was given to the University Unitarian Church, which, among other things, supports the VFA Saturday English School through tutoring students and provides Thanksgiving meals.
The Golden Hedgehog Award for Rising Young Star went to Rifka Bahaman for her exceptional leadership and commitment to service. After losing her father and home in Sri Lanka to the 2004 tsunami, she came to the United States and attends South Seattle College. She volunteers at the VFA in the Student Leadership Council and the Puget Sound Blood Center. She is currently working on an anti-bullying project. (end)