The Summer Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) celebrated six high school graduates on July 16, wrapping up its second year since the program was revived.
Students celebrate the completion of SYLP alongside Allyson Espinosa, program coordinator and volunteer mentors.
Family members, mentors, sponsors and community leaders gathered at Jade Garden Restaurant in the Chinatown-International District (CID) to celebrate the students’ accomplishments after three weeks of leadership workshops, community projects and conversations designed to help Asian American youth build confidence, strengthen their leadership skills and connect with their community.
Originally founded in 1995 by Assunta Ng through the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation, SYLP served hundreds of high school students across the Puget Sound region before going on hiatus in 2017. Alumni brought the program back in 2025 with a renewed focus on developing the next generation of Asian American leaders.
This year’s six students were paired with volunteer mentors, all of whom returned from last year’s relaunch. Throughout the program, participants met with Asian American leaders from media, public service, public policy, academia, law and business while learning more about civic engagement and their own cultural identities.
The experience left a lasting impression on many students.
“I was a very shy person, but SYLP has really opened up my mind that it’s OK to ask questions,” one graduate said. “Outside of SYLP, I feel like I would be able to use my voice better.”
One participant also received the $5,000 Louie Family Scholarship, which recognizes leadership, personal growth, a project presentation and an interview completed during the program.
Masa Zimmers receives the $5,000 Louie Family Scholarship for demonstrating leadership skills throughout the 3-week program.
The graduation dinner also brought together community leaders, including retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, KING 5 News anchor Christine Pae and representatives from several program sponsors.
Students also heard from speakers throughout the program, including University of Washington professors Connie So, Tracy Lai and Sean Wong, Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa and David Lance, chief of staff to the University of Washington president. They visited several organizations in the CID including the Wing Luke Museum, the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority, International Community Health Services, Kin On Health Care Center and the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington.
The program’s final lunch in the C-ID with Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa at Diamond Bay Restaurant.
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