Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim speaks with students
Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim of Seattle invited Northwest Asian Weekly’s summer youth leadership program to have lunch at City Hall this summer.
Our kids have no social status. They still have to do something to prove their worth. Yet, Kim sent me an email to invite our kids this summer back in March! I was deeply touched and excited.
SYLP students at City Hall with Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim
We request our community leaders to do us a favor by talking about their success to the students.
Since the program started in 1995 for Asian American high school students to learn about leadership and community-building skills, we have asked, the list of speakers which included Prof. Connie So, Hon. Gary Locke, KING TV anchor Lori Matsukawa, Justice Mary Yu, Bob Santos, University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce, Andrew Cho, Hon. Martha Choe and others to meet with our youth.
The City is involved in so many things and Kim’s time is in demand. Since she got married two years ago, she has delayed her honeymoon until this summer.
SYLP students with Mayor Ed Murray
So 43 of us visited City Hall and the Mayor’s office on July 1. I was proud to introduce Kim as the only and first Asian American deputy mayor for the City to our students. It was eye-opening, inspiring, and empowering for the students to meet someone so young and accomplished, and also an Asian American female in such a high position. We dined inside the Mayor’s office. Yes, we were treated with sandwiches, chips, and drinks. Kim also invited department head of Planning and Development Diane Sugimura to speak to us.
On our way out, Mayor Ed Murray returned. We had a chance to photograph together.
Thank you, Kim for remembering your community and roots. We were honored to be the first leadership group to be invited by Kim. (end)