Dear VAYA Members and Supporters,

Thank you all who participated in VAYA's 2009 SUMMER TRIP to "Temecula" this past weekend on July 24th-26th 2009 (2 Days 2 Nights). We hope you all had a great time and gained a better understanding towards one another. For those that didn't come, we hope you can join us next time.

Another BIG THANK YOU goes out to all those who voted for VAYA for a "Community Service Award" as part of the 2009 6th Annual Asian Heritage Awards (AHA) presented by Asia Media, Inc. Although VAYA did not win, we are truly humbled and thankful to be nominated alongside many great organizations, corporations, and/or individuals. VAYA's very own Webmaster, Dang Tran, and Community Relations Coordinator II (Non-Vietnamese), Calix Vu-Bui; officially represented VAYA at the prestigious AHA Ceremony abroad the U.S.S. Midway on San Diego Bay. For more information on Asia Media, Inc. and/or the Asian Heritage Awards, please visit: http://www.asiamediainc.com/. Let's increase the votes for next year so VAYA can get recognized for all we do in the community.

2009 6th Annual Asian Heritage Awards abroad the U.S.S. Midway (San Diego Bay) on Saturday July 25, 2009.

Dang Tran and Calix Vu-Bui representating VAYA at the Asian Heritage Awards.

Left to Right: Representative from CTFLC (Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture), Calix Vu-Bui (VAYA), Rita Andrews and Nampet Panichpant-Michelsen (LA Regional Census Center).

VAYA is in the process of forming the committee for our 2010 Asian/Pacific Islander American Youth Conference (APIAYC), aimed for July 2010. Please be on the lookout (via http://www.vayasd.org/) for further information and "Conference Coordinator" applications if you want to be a part of the organizing committee. Please email eboard@vayasd.org if you have immediate questions or concerns.

As the summer approaches, we are seeking leaders to take on some projects, including the: Annual Street Clean Up Event, Mid-Autumn (Tet Trung Thu) Festival, and many others. If you have an interest in being more involved in VAYA by taking on a leadership role, please email us for more information at eboard@vayasd.org.

Lastly, don't forget that VAYA is actively recruiting new general staff and Tet 2010 Committee staff to add to our team. Please visit our official website (http://www.vayasd.org/) to download the application along with a document detailing the duties and responsibilities for each of the position. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis. E-Board will finalize the Tet Chair(s) in the next week and after that, the Tet Chair(s) will appoint staff on board accordingly. So apply EARLY to claim YOUR SPOT (first come, first serve).

For a complete listing of VAYA's upcoming events/meetings, please visit our official calendar at: http://www.vayasd.org/calendar/. Please direct any questions or concerns to VAYA Secretary, Anthony (Vinh) Nguyen, at secretary@vayasd.org.

On behalf of VAYA's Executive Board and Staff, thank you for your continual support.

About the Author: Anthony (Vinh) T. Nguyen serves as Secretary for VAYA.