The "Attorney Rose Tsai Outstanding Public Service Scholarship" winners have been announced. Due to intense competition, the committee increased the number of awardees, selecting seven students.
For the highlight of winners and their achievements, please click here :
The scholarship was established by the family of Xinran Ji, a USC student who tragically lost her life in July 2014.
Attorney Rose Tsai, a respected California lawyer, represented Ji’s family in a lengthy legal battle, securing convictions and life sentences for the perpetrators.
In honor of Attorney Tsai's selfless service and dedication to justice, Ji's family created the scholarship to support Chinese high school and college students in Los Angeles and Orange counties who show significant involvement in public service or community work. Each winner receives a $2,000 scholarship and a certificate.
The winners were recognized for their outstanding contributions, such as volunteering with international medical teams in Nepal, founding anti-aging organizations, teaching healthy eating at senior centers, and organizing cardiovascular health workshops.
Building homes for the homeless in Mexico, founding nonprofit organizations, volunteering at homeless shelters, tutoring underprivileged children, and promoting Chinese culture through martial arts performances….
George He, representative of Ji’s family, thanked the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center for its support in spreading the word about the scholarship, which attracted many talented applicants.
He expressed how the winners’ achievements deeply impressed the judges and hoped the scholarship would inspire love and kindness in society.
Mike Chen, former president of the South Coast Chinese Cultural Association (SCCCA) and one of the judges, pointed out that all applicants had been involved in public service, and the committee evaluated their motivations, commitment, and the impact of their work on both themselves and their communities.
Given the high caliber of applicants, the committee decided to award scholarships to seven students. Chen encouraged those who didn’t win to continue pursuing excellence.
James Guo, also a judge and former president of the SCCCA, praised Attorney Rose Tsai for her selfless legal service and emphasized the need for more "angels of love" who advocate for justice and continue public service. He expressed hope that future generations would follow their example and further expand on their efforts.
Throughout the selection process, the judges were impressed not only by the students' outstanding achievements but by their sustained passion for public service.
The scholarship aims to inspire applicants to stay dedicated to their mission, continually improve their abilities, and make lasting contributions to their communities, thus fostering a more just society.
“蔡玟慧律師傑出公益奉獻獎學金”榜單揭曉，因申請學生競爭激烈，評審委員會最終決議增額錄取，共有七名學生脫穎而出。獲選學生名單與事蹟摘要，請點選 :
2014年7月，南加州大學（USC）中國留學生紀欣然返家途中遇害。警方逮捕4名嫌犯，美國加州著名資深律師蔡玟慧，代表紀欣然家屬和嫌犯展開漫長法律訴訟。
蔡玟慧律師多年無償代表紀欣然家屬，積極要求檢方和法庭嚴厲懲處嫌犯。法庭最終裁定嫌犯一級謀殺罪成立，並判處終身監禁等重刑。
為表彰蔡玟慧律師多年無私奉獻和對社會正義的堅持，紀欣然家屬成立“蔡玟慧律師傑出公益奉獻獎學金”，以鼓勵更多年輕學子積極參與公益事業，倡導社會正義。
凡在洛杉磯縣和橙縣就讀高中或大學生，只要有顯著公益行為或積極參與社區服務的華裔學生，都可申請。每位獲獎學生都可獲頒獎狀與$2,000獎學金。
獎學金評選委員會公布獲獎學生的公益行為傑出且多元。包括：跟隨國際醫療團隊到尼泊爾為村民提供衛教服務、在學校創立抗老組織，到老人中心教授長者健康飲食、在社區成立心血管健康工作坊，編寫保健專文，保護長者健康等。
另如 : 到墨西哥幫助無住戶者興建房舍、創辦非營利組織，擔任無家可歸者庇護所志工，為弱勢兒童提供免費英文、數學、音樂和電腦輔導, 和獲選美國國家代表隊員，到各地中華武術公演, 宣揚中華文化等。
紀欣然家屬代表何俊儒表示 : 欣然父母視蔡律師為恩人，為表達他們感恩之情，以蔡律師名義設立蔡玟慧律師傑出公益奉獻獎學金。
非常感謝南海岸中華文化中心的支持和廣為宣傳，促使眾多優秀華裔青少年申請。他們卓越才能和出色表現，深深打動評審。他希望透過表揚這些獲獎學生，將愛的種子撒向社會每個角落，讓愛充滿我們的生活。
南海岸中華文化協會前理事長、評審之一陳景星指出，本次提出申請獎學金學生都有參加很多公益團體，每位評審就必須對每位申請同學從事公益的初衷、持續公益行為的時間和對個人甚至社區所造成影響，來綜合評比。
因為申請學生都很傑出，獲獎名額有限，經過全體評審討論決議，增額兩名為共七人，但難免仍有遺珠之憾。他恭喜獲獎同學，繼續努力，更勉勵未獲獎同學，再接再厲，未來勢必會有更傑出表現。
也是南海岸中華文化協會前理事長的評審郭俊良表示 : 數年前發生的紀欣然命案，為家屬和我們帶來極大傷痛，激起社區許多人投入協助。蔡玟慧律師更是無償擔任受害人律師，提供法律服務。這些無私付出，使他們成為公益服務的愛心天使，達成一項公義。
面對世上更多苦人，我們需要更多的愛心天使，堅持公平正義、持續公益服務。我們希望鼓勵年輕一代來響應、延續及擴大。這是設立這項獎學金的初心。
在評選過程中，我們不僅看到許多年輕學生的傑出表現、對公益服務的投入。更重要是 : 他們展現對公益服務持續性的熱忱。
這讓我們看到希望。年輕一代將會有更多人願意投入公益服務，成為協助他人的愛心天使。我們期望，所有申請獎學金的學生都能維持熱忱，不忘初心，不斷精進自己能力，繼續為公益服務，達到我們期許的公義社會！