About the Project...
Heroes and Legends Award is to recognize and honor our community Heroes and Legends for their lifetime achievement, services, and generosity in making a positive impact on our youth and younger generations.
Discovering our community heroes and legends and documenting their stories and voices has the potential to inspire and motivate young people to become positive social change agents, confront systemic injustices, and promote equality and justice for all. Our annual Heroes and Legends Award is to recognize and honor our community Heroes and Legends for their lifetime achievements, services, and generosity in making a positive impact on our youth and younger generations. There will be a screening of short documentary films of our Heroes and Legends, entertainment, and an award ceremony.
Our Heroes and Legends are carefully researched, reviewed, and selected by our younger generations through their visions, perspectives, and understandings to recognize the greater example of their inspiration and motivation.
On this account, the goal of this initiative is to create personalized mentoring opportunities that cater to young people’s unique needs and aspirations, with the goal of inspiring and empowering them to realize their full potential through lifelong learning. We aim to cultivate a growth mindset in youth and students by providing one-on-one guidance, allowing them to develop the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.
120년 이민역사를 만들어 가고 있는 우리 한인사회는 그동안 크고 작은 수 많은 일 들을 겪고 많은 분들이 우리 한인타운 발전을 위해 앞장서서 노력 했습니다. 힘든 이민 생활속에도 모든 희생과 고생 끝에 성공을 이루고, 그동안의 많은 공로상이나 금전적인 보상도 받았지만 이 보다 더 값진 상은 우리 후손들의 시선에서 미래를 이끌어 갈 다음 세대를 위한 멘토가 되고 우상으로 인정받는 것입니다.
우리의 Heroes and Legends들은 철저한 리서치를 통해 우리 후손들의 시선에서 각자의 꿈을 이루기 위한 멘토와 우상이 되실 분들을 선발했습니다. 돈이 많아 성공이 아니라 힘든 과정을 이겨내고 이해와 헌신으로 하나의 목적을 이루어 낸 모범적인 인물이 성공의 표상이 되어야 하고 남을 의식하는 봉사보다 조용히 진실된 봉사를 통해 리더십과 모범이 되어야 합니다. 이분들에게 상을 주는게 아니라 respect 와 appreciate 으로 감사를 표하는 것 입니다.
이런 과정을 통해 우리 학생들은 가까운 주변을 돌아 보는 시기가 될 것이고 또 이민자인 부모들의 이해와 고마움을 배우고 전하며 소통할 수 있는 기회를 만들고자 하는 의미 입니다.
Heroes and Legends는 이러한 잊혀져가는 우리의 영웅들을 발굴하고 기록하며 영상으로도 제작하였고 이번 2022에 선발된 영웅들을 기록하는 책을 출간하게 되었습니다. 그리고 이 책은 학생들 각자의 소중한 경험은 물론 기록물로 평생 간직될 것이고 여러 주요 대학교와 도서관에 보내져 더 많은 사람들과 공유하도록 했습니다. 우리 학생들이 중요한 역사를 스스로 배워나가고 기록하여 본인들의 미래를 위한 로드맵을 만들어가는 기회를 제공하는 현장교육에 많은 관심과 함께 이번 출시되는 책 제작에 큰 도움을 주셔서 감사합니다.
앞으로 Heroes and Legends는 엘에이를 비롯 미국 주요 도시로 확장하고 전 미국과 해외에서도 또 다른 우리 영웅들을 발굴하고 기록할 예정입니다.
많은 관심과 응원 부탁 드립니다
Christopher HK Lee
Messages from our team...
"I have been a part of the Heroes and Legend LA team since my freshman year, and I am currently in my second semester of junior year. As a third-year member of Heroes and Legend, I have had a handful of 'once-in-a-lifetime experiences.' From meeting some of my community's hidden heroes and then being able to serve as the bridge from unknown to known, I have realized that I took part in the creation of a legacy.
These experiences have made me more passionate about what we, as a team, do. Each year, our Heroes and Legend team becomes greater, and I am happy to be a part of this wonderful project once again. Cheers to Heroes and Legend 2024!"
Gyubin Kim (16)
North Hollywood High School
When I joined, I learned a lot of life lessons such as time management, but most importantly, becoming a leader. I learned how to take action on my own, setting up zoom meetings for Tia, constantly communicating with you and Tia, and setting up the music program for the reception. I learned how much you can get done by taking action for myself and others. And it brought me so much joy seeing Tia’s expression of happiness when I was able to share her story and hard work she’s done for our community. And I would love to write about other heroes and legends this year to share their experiences and accomplishments.
Daniel Kim (16)
Granada Hills Charter High School
I am so blessed that I got this opportunity in being able to honor my hero through this book. There are so many people whom I look up to and have guided in so many ways. I want to take this chance and rejoin Heroes and Legends because one book is simply not enough for all the amazing leaders helping to cultivate and improve the Korean American Community each and every day. Thank you to Chris for setting this organization up and giving us the time to truly appreciate our heroes properly and through the deserved respect. I’m so excite to continue my journey in writing this book along with all the other members.
Ashley Ham (16)
Harvard-Westlake School
As someone who has been part of the Heroes and Legends team since our very first reception, I'm incredibly proud of how much our team has achieved and how much our members have grown after meeting each hero and legend. Being able to continue this work into the year of 2024 is a once in a lifetime privilege to meet inspirational figures and learn valuable lessons in professional and comfortable environments. Prior to joining our team, I constantly feared about my blurry future, but as I learned and grew through each project, I can confidently say that I'm excited to explore into the unknown stage of my life. But in the meantime, I hope that my contribution to our work in 2024 will honorably recognize more of these figures for their lifetime achievements as we connect and share their stories with the youth.
Celine Hong (16)
The Science Academy
Engaging in this project has not only introduced me to numerous inspiring individuals but has also provided valuable insights into my own character. Through documenting the legacies of remarkable contributors to our community, we have not only enriched our network but also gained a deeper understanding of ourselves. I am grateful for this transformative experience, which has allowed me to further cultivate my interests and passions.
In reflection, I wish to share my personal growth.
Eugene Cho (15)
La Canada High School
I have definitely had new experiences in this group, and have a new, and better perspective of my culture & community!!
Lauren Sun (15)
Ramona Convent Secondary School
Heroes and Legends has been a monumental platform in my life for allowing me to tell the stories of extraordinary individuals. It has allowed me to engage deeply with the community, understand their triumphs and challenges, and contribute to their well-deserved recognition.
Writing the stories about these community leaders is not always easy. It requires a lot of research, interviews, and fact-checking. It also involves a lot of empathy, respect, and honesty. I have to balance the facts with the emotions, the achievements with the failures, the praise with the criticism.
But it is also rewarding. Writing about our community leaders has allowed me to hone my writing skills, build perspectives, and deepen my compassion. It has also connected me with amazing people and opened new opportunities. Ultimately, I have grown as a writer and person through this program.
Matheus Koo (16)
Granada Hills Charter High School
Heroes and Legends has been such a life changing and inspirational experience. Having the opportunity to meet new people around the community is genuinely so eye opening. It recognizes the importance of recording new stories and being able to learn from them. It's moments like these that initiates a new level of sentimality that I haven't valued before. The team is great to have, both the writers and mentors. It has filled my life up with precious knowledge and relationships that are priceless. I can feel supported through my journey to my future endeavors, and I can thank Heroes and Legends for that.
Joy Han (15)
Girls Academic Leadership Academy