September 1, 2025 - Eden Center Announces AASuccess Scholarship Winners from the Vietnamese-American Community
Falls Church, Virginia – Eden Center is thrilled to announce the inaugural winners of the Ebeinstein Scholarship, exclusively designed for Vietnamese-American high school students who demonstrate a strong commitment to servant leadership and community growth. This prestigious award honors the legacy of Douglas and Norman Ebenstein, whose philanthropic efforts have greatly impacted local communities and advanced educational initiatives.
Each scholar will share a total of $10,000 in scholarship funds to further their education and continue their commendable work in leadership and community service. These scholarship recipients were selected based on their proven track record of servant leadership and their active participation in AASuccess’ life skills and leadership programs.
Program Overview:
The Ebenstein Scholarship is a two-phase program that encourages young leaders to mentor other students and create and manage impactful community projects, such as BizHarmony and the Annual AASuccess Benefit Gala. In addition to financial support, the program offers educational and career development opportunities through internships and mentoring, ensuring that scholars have access to the resources they need to succeed.
2025 Ebenstein Scholarship Recipients
Kingston Ho
A rising freshman at Virginia Tech majoring in economics, Kingston Ho has been a part of AASuccess for five years. In the past, Kingston has contributed to a variety of projects, including AASuccess’s annual scholarship program, a pickleball fundraiser, and support for past Galas. As an Ebenstein Scholarship, he worked closely with mentors and the operation team to lead BizHarmony, a student-led networking event he created to connect students with professionals and businesses through workshops such as resume reviews, elevator pitch practice, and professional headshots. The experience was transformative, allowing him to grow as both a leader and a person while overcoming challenges like scheduling conflicts and tight deadlines, ultimately bringing the AASuccess community together to foster meaningful connections. His contribution during this period earned him a total of $4,000, reflecting his dedication to create impactful initiatives.
Kaila Le
Kaila is now a rising freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University pursuing her passion in Marketing. Kaila joined AASuccess 5 years ago and is one of this year’s Ebenstein scholars. As head of marketing, she has had the opportunity to work on nearly all of the student projects. One of the most significant projects she took on during this scholarship was organizing the AAS Yard Sale fundraiser. She led the item collection, coordinated logistics, and designed advertising to get the word out. Her efforts in this event brought in a total of $700. In addition to organizing the fundraiser, a big part of her scholarship experience involved supporting AASuccess marketing efforts. Responsibilities include managing digital content, shaping the organization’s online presence, creating social media content, website management, and handling video projects such as Shark Tank Success, spanning from filming to editing. Additionally, during the time spent preparing for the Gala, Kaila took the lead on several marketing materials, including working on the “Save the Date” flier, designing the event program booklet and the presentation, and creating the decorations. Throughout this journey, Kaila has learned the importance of delegating tasks effectively, trusting her team, and empowering others to take ownership of their contributions. She discovered the value of clear and concise communication, identifying problems early, responding quickly, and maintaining strong connections with everyone involved. In addition, Kaila refined her marketing skills by exploring new techniques and perspectives, which strengthened her confidence and effectiveness as both a communicator and collaborator.
Education Camp- Hillary Nguyen and Mason Le
In addition to supporting the Ebenstein Scholars, the Ebenstein Scholarship is proud to sponsor an AASuccess community project: the Education Camp, led by students Hillary Nguyen and Mason Le.
Hillary and Mason’s project addressed the educational disparities faced by underprivileged 4th and 5th graders in NoVA. In response to the long-term academic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, their project bridges educational gaps by strengthening core skills in Math and English.
Before developing the curriculum, Hillary and Mason consulted with local teachers to identify the most effective approaches for 4th and 5th graders. They also incorporated a variety of teaching tools, including instructional modules from the William & Mary School of Education, examples from FCPS Distance Learning, and math practice materials from the Virginia Department of Education and K5 Learning.
The project culminated in a three-day Education Camp for 4th and 5th graders, held on April 24, May 3, and May 4, 2025, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. The camp served 6 to 7 students and focused on strengthening skills in Math and English.
Reflecting on the experience, Mason Le, an AASuccess student, shared:
“Hello! My name is Mason Le, and I am a 9th grader at Thomas Jefferson High School. My partner in the Education Camp was Hilliary Nguyen, a 10th grader at James Madison. The Education Camp, a project from September 2024, involved lots of planning and was often tedious. Since it was our first project, we struggled with productivity at first and faced many last-minute date changes due to conflicting schedules. On the first day, we felt anxious about how the hour would go and how we would teach the kids, but perseverance helped everything run smoothly. Co-leading this project gave us valuable practice in planning real-life events, talking on calls with adults, and emailing. In the end, the hardships we faced were worth it.”
Final Note:
Eden Center is proud to support 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. The AAS Scholarship program is designed to ensure that each scholar can maximize their leadership potential and contribute positively to society. For more information about the scholarship and the application process, please visit here.