青春点亮文化灯火！南卡哥伦比亚华人青少会荣获“年度社区贡献奖” Youth Ignite the Flame of Culture! CYAC Wins “Community Advocate of the Year” Award

YOUYAN CHONGGANG 

南卡日报消息 在5月22日举行的第五届南卡罗来纳州亚裔与太平洋岛裔商务日颁奖典礼上，哥伦比亚华人青少年协会（Chinese Youth Association of Columbia）荣获“年度社区贡献奖”，成为本届活动上最年轻、最具活力的获奖团体之一。该奖项由主办单位Mota跨界商业学院（Mota Crosslinking Business Academy）颁发，旨在表彰在文化传播、社区服务方面作出杰出贡献的个人与组织。
Columbia, SC — At the 5th Annual South Carolina Asian & Pacific Islander Business Day Awards Ceremony on May 22, the Chinese Youth Association of Columbia (CYAC) was honored with the “Community Advocate of the Year” award, standing out as one of the youngest and most dynamic recipients at the event. The award, presented by the Mota Crosslinking Business Academy, recognizes individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and community service.

西哥伦比亚市长小特穆斯·C·“特姆”·迈尔斯（Tem Miles）

南卡州议员希瑟·鲍尔（Heather Bauer）

哥伦比亚跨界商学院院长瓦内萨·莫塔（Vanessa Mota）

哥伦比亚华人协会会长岑伟荃先生与州议员交谈

活动当天，西哥伦比亚市长小特穆斯·C·“特姆”·迈尔斯（Tem Miles）、哥伦比亚交联商学院院长瓦内萨·莫塔（Vanessa Mota），以及南卡州议员希瑟·鲍尔（Heather Bauer）哥伦比亚华人协会会长岑伟荃亲临现场，向青少会的青年代表表示热烈祝贺。他们对华人青少年积极投身社区、传承文化的精神表示高度赞赏，并鼓励青少年继续在服务社会、传播多元文化的道路上不断前行。
West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles, Academy President Vanessa Mota, State Representative Heather Bauer, and Chinese Association of Columbia President Weiquen Cen were present to celebrate with the youth representatives. They praised the dedication of Chinese-American youth in serving the community and preserving cultural traditions, encouraging them to keep moving forward in their mission of promoting diversity and civic engagement.

“年度社区贡献奖”颁奖词及哥伦比亚华人青少会领奖代表获奖感言

哥伦比亚华人青少会由华裔中学生为主要成员，成立仅一年多，便在当地社区引起广泛关注。他们以传播中华文化、推动文化交流和参与志愿服务为宗旨，活跃于各类公益和文化活动中，包括春节庆典、食品捐赠、舞龙表演、义卖筹款、中秋节月饼义卖、动物保护、城市节庆活动等，用青春和热情构建起中美文化沟通的桥梁。
Though established just over a year ago, CYAC—made up mainly of Chinese-American middle and high school students—has already made a significant impact on the local community. Their mission is to share Chinese culture, foster cross-cultural understanding, and actively engage in volunteer work. Their efforts include participating in Lunar New Year celebrations, food drives, dragon dance performances, charity sales, Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake fundraisers, animal rescue, and city festivals—serving as a vibrant bridge between Chinese and American cultures.

华人青少会代表访谈

协会副主席陈子禾（Luciano Chen）在领奖时表示：“领取这个奖是我们青少会的一大荣幸。我们会继续努力，为哥伦比亚社区贡献我们的力量，也希望让更多人了解和喜爱中华文化。”青少会主席Tori Li，因回国，未参加当天会议。
Luciano Chen, CYAC Vice President, accepted the award and said, “It’s a great honor for our youth association to receive this recognition. We’ll continue contributing to the Columbia community and hope to inspire more people to appreciate Chinese culture.” CYAC President Tori Li was unable to attend as she is currently overseas.

青少会财务主管王逸宸（Yichen Wang）特别提到：“五月是亚太裔传统月，我们希望通过一系列文化活动，让南卡罗来纳州更多人了解亚裔群体的多样性。感谢南卡州少数族裔事务委员会与美国华人联合会（UCA）的大力支持。”
Yichen Wang, CYAC’s Treasurer, highlighted the significance of the timing: “May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Through our cultural activities, we aim to help more people in South Carolina understand the richness and diversity of the AAPI community. We’re very grateful for the strong support from the SC Commission for Minority Affairs and United Chinese Association.”

哥伦比亚华协理事王琳先生谈获奖意义

哥伦比亚华人协会理事王琳在现场深情表示：“今天最高兴的事情，就是看到我们的青少年协会获得了社区贡献奖。他们从去年成立以来，一直坚持做各种社区服务，一年多的坚持得到了社会的肯定。作为家长，我们将继续鼓励他们，给予支持。”
Lin Wang, a board member of the Chinese Association, spoke emotionally at the event: “What brings me the greatest joy today is seeing our youth association recognized with this community service award. Since its founding last year, these young people have been consistently active in serving the community. Their dedication is finally being acknowledged. As parents, we’ll continue to support and encourage them.”

作为颁奖仪式的一大亮点，哥伦比亚华人青少会的成员为来宾表演了富有中华传统韵味的扇子舞，尽显中华艺术的神韵与魅力，赢得现场观众阵阵掌声。
One of the highlights of the ceremony was CYAC’s performance of a traditional Chinese fan dance, showcasing the grace and beauty of Chinese arts and winning rounds of applause from the audience.

依姗（Yishan）主题画作《百灯破暝处，文化兴起时》

值得一提的是，青少会成员依姗（Yishan）还特地为此次亚太裔活动创作了主题画作《百灯破暝处，文化兴起时》。画中漂浮的彩灯代表了亚太地区的多国文化。这副多元、共融、共荣的美妙画卷，体现了青少年一代对文化传承的理解与表达。
Another memorable moment came from CYAC member Yishan, who created an original artwork titled “A Hundred Lanterns Break the Darkness, Culture Rises with the Dawn.” The painting, filled with floating lanterns representing diverse Asian cultures, reflected the young artist’s vision of unity, inclusiveness, and the beauty of cultural heritage.

哥伦比亚华人协会会长岑伟荃说：“文化交流与社区服务不仅有助于个人成长与社会联结，更是弥合文化差异的重要桥梁。这一理念正是华人青少会持续践行的初心。”
Chinese Association President Weiquen Cen emphasized, “Cultural exchange and community service not only help individuals grow and connect with others—they are also powerful tools for bridging cultural divides. This principle is at the heart of CYAC’s mission.”

此次荣誉不仅是对他们过去一年多来辛勤付出的认可，更为他们未来的发展注入了新的动力。在家长、社区和华人协会的共同关心与鼓励下，华人青少会正茁壮成长，成为南卡文化舞台上一支不可忽视的新兴力量。
This award not only recognizes CYAC’s achievements over the past year but also energizes their future development. With continued support from families, the community, and the Chinese Association, the Chinese Youth Association of Columbia is rapidly emerging as a vibrant new force in South Carolina’s cultural landscape.

(南卡日报EMAIL：chonggang2022@gmail.com）