2026 AAStories Youth Summer Internship Award Ceremony – AAstories Youth Internship Graduation Celebrates the Power of Storytelling Through Food, Family, and Culture

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — What does food mean?

For the students who participated in the Asian American Stories Youth Summer Internship Program, food became far more than something served at the dinner table. It became a language of love, a bridge between generations, a connection to culture, and a way to discover their own identities.

Organized by Silicon Valley Community Media (SVCM), Asian American Stories is now in its fourth year of inspiring people of all ages to preserve and share the diverse experiences of Asian Americans through storytelling.

That powerful message came to life during the Youth Internship Graduation Celebration, where students premiered 19 original video stories inspired by the 2027 Asian American Stories theme, “Our Food, Our Stories.” Family members, community leaders, mentors, and volunteers gathered to celebrate not only the students’ creative work, but also the voices of a new generation of Asian American storytellers.

The event was filled with emotion from beginning to end.

One of the most memorable videos came from a Chinese American student who reflected on how love is often expressed differently in many Asian families.

“In Chinese families, we don’t always say ‘I love you.’ But love is like the food waiting on the table every day. It’s always there, even if the words are never spoken.”

The simple yet profound reflection resonated throughout the audience, reminding many of their own families and childhood memories.

Another student shared her multicultural journey—from India, to Japan, and eventually to the United States—showing how food carried memories of every place she had called home. Each meal represented not only a different culture, but also different people, friendships, and chapters of life.

Other students explored Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and other cultural traditions, demonstrating that food is far more than nourishment. It carries family history, preserves heritage, creates belonging, and passes love from one generation to the next.

Throughout the afternoon, each student was invited to the stage after their video screening to share the inspiration behind their story. Some students were naturally outgoing, while others were quiet and reserved. Yet once their videos appeared on the screen, their voices became remarkably powerful.

Their stories reflected courage, creativity, empathy, and a deep appreciation for family and cultural identity.

Youth Leadership Inspires the Next Generation

One of the highlights of the program was recognizing the extraordinary leadership of the student organizers.

The internship was led by Youth Leaders Elly He and Ella, together with Penny, Chair of the Asian American Stories Youth Program, and supported by Nina, Producer and Contestant Chair, who worked closely with students throughout weeks of online meetings, mentoring, and project development.

This marks the second year of the Youth Summer Internship Program.

Its origin is itself an inspiring story.

Last year, Elly was one of the winners of the Asian American Stories competition. Rather than ending her journey after receiving recognition, she proposed creating a youth internship that would give more students opportunities to develop their voices through storytelling.

Asian American Stories founders Diana Ding and Joel Wong immediately embraced the idea.

What began as one student’s vision has now grown into a thriving youth leadership initiative that is inspiring even more students to tell stories that matter.

Community Leaders Encourage Youth Voices

The graduation celebration was honored by several distinguished community leaders who came to encourage the students.

Mayor Carmen Montano of Milpitas attended the entire program, watching every student presentation and interacting with participants throughout the event. She encouraged students to continue sharing their experiences.

Vice Mayor William Lam of Milpitas delivered an inspiring message about the importance of Asian American voices. He reflected that many Asian Americans are raised to remain quiet rather than speak up. Because of that, too many important stories have gone unheard, storytelling helps people discover both their identity and their voice.

Former Santa Clara Vice Mayor and current Santa Clara Unified School District Board Member Kathy Watanabe also joined the celebration, congratulating the students and encouraging them to continue using their talents to serve their communities.

Judge Piyush Malik shared how deeply moved he was while reviewing the students’ work, praising their authenticity, creativity, and willingness to share personal experiences.

Asian American Stories Co-Chair Joel Wong reflected on the evolution of the organization’s annual themes—from “We All Belong Here,” to “My Gift to America,” then “Coming to America,” and now “Our Food, Our Stories.” He noted that each year’s theme builds upon the last, encouraging participants to explore identity from different perspectives while preserving the rich diversity of the Asian American experience.

Parents: The Quiet Heroes Behind Every Story

Another moving part of the celebration was the presence of parents.

Many sat proudly beside their children as they watched the videos together for the first time. Their encouragement, support, and belief in their children made these stories possible. Behind every confident young storyteller is a family that believed their voice mattered.

“I Don’t Find Stories—I Notice Them”

In her remarks, Diana Ding, Chair of Asian American Stories, encouraged students to continue looking for stories long after the internship ends.

“People often ask me where I find all these stories,” she said.

“My answer is always the same, I don’t find them. I notice them. Stories are everywhere. We simply have to pay attention.”

Students interested in continuing with Asian American Stories were invited to meet with the leadership team to explore future opportunities in storytelling, filmmaking, journalism, photography, and community engagement.

“We’re here to mentor and support you,” Ding said. “If you have ideas, come talk to us. We’d love to listen and help you turn those ideas into stories that inspire others.”

As the final applause filled the room, one message stood above all the others:

Food nourishes the body.

Stories nourish a community.

And when young people discover the courage to tell those stories, they help preserve the past while shaping the future.

The next generation of Asian American storytellers has found its voice—and this is only the beginning.

More: www.AAStories.org

Introduction and Award Presentation by Penny Zhou

Opening remarks by Elly He (Founding Program Director, Co-Chair of Youth)

Words of Inspiration from VIP Guests

Remarks by Joel Wong (Asian American Stories Co-Chair, Judges)