Seeds of Change

Abigail Cheng, 5th Grade

Dreams are the seeds of change. A dream can be about anything, and can be made from anything. A dream is a product of imagination, passion, and devotion to make a difference.

Bringing a dream to life requires basic, physical tools as well as inspiration. Teachers are really important in this process, and I would like to recognize one teacher in particular, my fourth grade teacher Ms. Micha, with a gold medal. She has not only helped me to develop the basic tools, but she has really inspired me because she has helped me connect with stories of Asian American females who have come before me. During the course of my fourth grade year, my teacher Ms. Micha introduced me to three Asian American females,Maya Lin, Yoshiko Uchida, and Nancy Araki.

Maya Lin traveled a long journey that resulted in becoming an accomplished architect who looks at the world in several perspectives. Her first big project, the Vietnam War Memorial, received many negative and positive responses, but Maya Lin pushed forward and believed what she wanted to come true and change. She showed me that if you believe in what you think is right, you can make a difference in the world and watch your dream come alive.

Yoshiko Uchida experienced a major event in history, the Japanese Internment Camps. Instead of dwelling on the unfairness of her situation, Yoshiko Uchida decided to spend her time writing to share with the world her perspective. Yoshiko gave the world a window into the life of an Asian American growing up in the United States, and helped non Asian Americans have a taste of her life experiences. After she was let out of the internment camp, Yoshiko Uchida started to publish books, including her experiences at the camp. Yoshiko Uchida has helped me understand how writing about my experiences can help me connect with others.

Nancy Araki also experienced the internment camps of World War II. After the war came to an end, she became a director at the Japanese American National Museum. Nancy Araki became passionate about teaching others about Japanese American history and culture, and she helped other people to understand the life of a Japanese American during many important times in history. Nancy Araki taught me to look back on the past and educate others who might not have been there to experience it.

As I move forward, I will always remember and keep these stories with me. The inspiration that I have gained from these four women will power my ability and will to make a difference in the world. Ms. Micha helped me connect with other Asian American females that have come before me, placed their mark, and helped to change the world, just like I plan to do. Ms. Micha has planted the seeds of my dreams that will sprout into making a difference in the world around me.