FASCA Princeton student volunteers, counselors, families, and community leaders gather at the 2025 Volunteer Service Award Ceremony held December 20 at the Club House in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The annual event celebrated youth service, cultural herita
Nelson Tai, president of the New Jersey Chinese Schools Association (ANJCS), and Bright Lin, president of the Association of Chinese Schools (ACS), presented volunteer service awards to members of the FASCA Princeton Chapter in recognition of their dedica
Nelson Tai, president of the New Jersey Chinese Schools Association (ANJCS), and Bright Lin, president of the Association of Chinese Schools (ACS), addresses students and families, encouraging continued participation in volunteer service and youth leaders
Counselors Vincent, Tina, Bright, and Chris prepare refreshments and homemade snacks for attendees, reinforcing the warm, family-like atmosphere of the FASCA community.
FASCA Princeton marked the close of a meaningful year of community engagement with its 2025 Volunteer Service Award (VSA) Ceremony, held on December 20 at the Club House in Basking Ridge. The event brought together student volunteers, families, counselors, and community leaders to recognize outstanding youth contributions while celebrating shared values of service, cultural heritage, legacy and leadership.
For many second-generation Taiwanese Americans involved in FASCA, volunteerism represents far more than the accumulation of service hours. It reflects a commitment to giving back, preserving cultural identity, and carrying forward values instilled by family and community. These themes resonated throughout the ceremony, which honored both individual achievements and the collective impact of youth service.
This year’s awards carried special significance following a major national change. In May 2025, the U.S. government discontinued the AmeriCorps program, which had previously administered the White House President’s Volunteer Service Award. In response, FASCA counselors worked diligently to ensure members’ dedication would continue to be formally recognized. With support from the Association of New Jersey Chinese Schools (ANJCS) and the Association of Chinese Schools (ACS), the Volunteer Service Award was introduced, maintaining the same rigorous service-hour standards while upholding the spirit of national recognition.
“Even though the White House President’s Volunteer Service Award is no longer available, I will continue participating in volunteer service,” said Sklyer Chen, a FASCA Princeton member. “Volunteering has never been about simply logging hours for an award. It is about serving others, staying connected to our culture, and carrying forward the values passed down by our families and communities.”
Parents echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the program’s long-term impact. “As a parent, it has been incredibly meaningful to watch my child grow through FASCA,” shared a FASCA Princeton parent. “These volunteer experiences build character, confidence, and a sense of responsibility to both the local community and our cultural roots.”
Counselor Tina noted that FASCA Princeton counted approximately 120 active members during the year, reflecting the chapter’s continued growth. Among them, 33 members earned Volunteer Service Awards across Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels in both teen and young adult categories. The recipients included four teen Bronze, two teen Silver, fifteen teen Gold, seven young adult Bronze, three young adult Silver, and two young adult Gold awardees. FASCA Princeton President Claire and Vice President Charlene, Kaylee, and Winston also served as inspiring role models, having earned Gold Awards as young adults and teens in the previous year.
Nelson Tai, President of ANJCS, emphasized the importance of volunteerism in American society. Referencing moments of national hardship such as the September 11 attacks, Tai spoke about how communities unite in times of need and encouraged students to carry the spirit of service beyond high school and into adulthood. “Volunteering is not just about helping others,” he said. “It is about shaping character and becoming leaders who care.”
Bright Lin, President of ACS, also congratulated the award recipients and encouraged FASCA members to remain actively engaged in volunteer service, noting the lasting influence of youth leadership on communities and future generations.
Counselors Vincent and Tina also introduced families to the Congressional Award, established by the U.S. Congress in 1979. Unlike traditional service awards, the program emphasizes goal-setting across four areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition or exploration, offering students a broader perspective on balanced personal growth.
The ceremony concluded on a warm, family-like note as counselors Vincent, Tina, Bright, and Chris prepared refreshments and homemade snacks. Conversations, laughter, and shared memories filled the room, highlighting the close-knit bonds that define the FASCA community.
Looking back on 2025, FASCA Princeton recorded 55 activities, over 540 service hours, participation from 159 members, and 20 student-written news articles. More than an awards ceremony, the VSA event served as a reminder that through service, young people shape not only their communities, but also their own sense of purpose and identity.
Reported by FASCA Princeton – Skyler Chen
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