April 20, 2024 - Eden Center Announces First-Time Ever Ebenstein Scholarship Winners from the Vietnamese- American Community

    Falls Church, Virginia – Eden Center is thrilled to unveil the inaugural winners of the newly established Ebenstein Scholarship, designed exclusively for Vietnamese-American high school students who exemplify a strong dedication to servant leadership and supporting community growth. This prestigious award honors the legacy of Douglas and Norman Ebenstein, whose philanthropic efforts have significantly impacted local communities and supported educational endeavors.

    2024 Ebenstein Scholarship Recipients:

    Nathan Le

    An 11th grader at Centreville High School,
    Nathan Le has been recognized for his exceptional leadership in community service and scholarship initiatives within the Vietnamese-American community. During his time as an Ebenstein Scholar, Nathan contributed to the Marketing and Go-Green teams, where he attended meetings, coordinated tasks, and engaged in activities such as sending emails, creating content, and brainstorming ideas. His role has greatly improved his time management skills and reinforced the importance of seeking help when needed. Additionally, Nathan led the 2024 YouthCon Scholarship Program, empowering middle and high school students in the DMV area to make a positive impact through their projects. His journey has been instrumental in building his confidence, learning from mistakes, and fostering personal and professional growth.

    Leo Lue

    An 11th grader at Thomas Jefferson High School, Leo Lue has been an active participant in AASuccess for four years. Through his hard work and involvement, supported by the Ebenstein Scholarship, Leo has developed strong leadership skills and a deep commitment to community service. One of Leo’s proudest accomplishments was co-leading ‘The Go-Green Project,’ an environmental initiative that engaged students in the DMV area with hands-on activities to foster a love of gardening and dedication to caring for local ecosystems. Additionally, Leo organized interactive life skills workshops for AASuccess students and played a key role in planning the 2024 AASuccess Gala. His passion for environmental advocacy drives his desire to contribute to both local and global communities. Leo hopes to leverage the skills and experiences gained as an Ebenstein Scholar to make a lasting impact.

    Mckenzie Tran

    A first-year student at the University of Virginia majoring in Economics, McKenzie Tran has been part of AASuccess for six years. After participating in various AASuccess service projects, events, and a Marketing Internship, she applied for the Ebenstein Scholarship to support the non-profit at a higher level. As an Ebenstein Scholar, McKenzie worked closely with mentors and operations managers while serving as an Operations Apprentice. Over three months, she contributed to key initiatives such as the AASuccess 2024 Gala, Vietnam Road-Building project, Life Skills Academy, and the Tennis Fundraiser Social. Despite initial challenges in managing the Tennis Fundraiser on short notice, McKenzie successfully brought the community together to support students, demonstrating growth as a leader, innovator, and collaborator. This scholarship experience has significantly shaped her professional and personal development, unlocking new potential and preparing her for future endeavors. Due to Mckenzie’s remarkable accomplishments this period, she will be awarded an additional $2,500, bringing her total scholarship award to $5,000. 

    Each scholar will share a total of $10,000 in scholarship funds to further their education and continue their commendable efforts in leadership and community service. The scholarship recipients were selected based on their proven track record of servant leadership and their active involvement in AASuccess’ life skill and leadership programs.

    Program Overview and Expectations

    Program Overview:

    The Ebenstein Scholarship is a two-phased program that encourages young leaders to mentor other students and manage significant community projects, such as the YouthCon Scholarship Program and the Annual AASuccess Benefit Gala. The program not only provides financial support but also offers career development opportunities through externships and specialized workshops, ensuring that scholars have the resources they need to succeed.

    Expectations and Future Contributions:
    The scholars are expected to meet the challenge of demonstrating excellent servant leadership activities during the summer of 2024. This pivotal period will be crucial in determining their final awards and recognitions, which will be further announced at the AASuccess Benefit Gala scheduled for August 3, 2024, in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

    Final Note:
    Eden Center is proud to foster the next generation of leaders within the Vietnamese-American community and is committed to continuing the Ebenstein family’s legacy of philanthropy and community support. For more details about the scholarship and application process, please visit here.