Let’s Talk About College: Welcome Back WAFL Alumni! | Nov. 15, 2025
On November 15, the WAFL Program held a Let’s Talk About College workshop and invited a few of our graduates to speak about their college experiences. This year’s panel included David Hu (2025), Ellen Ko (2024), Lonnie Moon (2025), Yang Wu (2025), and Danielle Yoon (2024).
They spoke about their experiences with college admissions, their day-to-day as college students, and how they find the right balance between their school, work, and personal lives. They also answered student questions specific to the schools and programs they are enrolled in to give more insight about their lives after graduating from high school and the WAFL Program.
David Hu, University of Pennsylvania, Mathematics and Computer Science
Hi everyone! I'm David Hu, a New Yorker and current freshman pursuing a BA in Mathematics with an additional major in Computer Science and a minor in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. I went to the Bronx High School of Science and graduated from KAYF just last year, so I'm excited to be one of the panelists!
At Penn, I'm involved with the Wharton Hedge Fund Club's Quant/Macro committee, the Wharton Asia Exchange's Finance committee, and the Penn Chinese Students' Association as a freshman liaison. Feel free to ask me about my experience at Penn so far, admission tips, and more!
Ellen Ko, Williams College, English and History
Ellen is a current sophomore at Williams studying English and History. She is heavily involved in the performing arts on campus and is a member of the Berkshire Center for International Policy, a foreign policy think tank at Williams. She’s passionate about media, storytelling, and social impact, and currently interns with the FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, where she works on communications and alumni engagement.
Lonnie Moon, University of Pennsylvania, Economics
Hi! I’m a current freshman at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Economics at the College of Arts and Science. I grew up in New York and joined KAYF as a freshman in high school. Feel free to contact me on any social platforms. Look forward to speaking with you all!
Yang Wu, Cornell University, Human Biology, Health, and Society
Hey! I’m Yang, and I’m currently studying at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, majoring in Human Biology, Health, and Society on the pre-med track. I’m passionate about exploring how science, social systems, and compassion come together to shape people’s health and well-being. Ultimately, I hope to use my studies to understand healthcare not just from a biological perspective, but through the lens of human experience. Outside of academics, I’m involved in music and community outreach, and I enjoy finding ways to connect with others through service and shared stories.
Danielle Yoon, Yale University, Political Science and English
Danielle Yoon is from Frisco, Texas, and is a sophomore at Yale University studying Political Science and English. On campus, she is part of the Yale Undergraduate Consulting Group, the Yale Women's Leadership Initiative, and plays cello in the Yale Symphony Orchestra. She was part of the WAFL program for all four years of high school!
College Prep Seminar & Essay Writing Workshop | Nov. 1, 2025
On November 1, the WAFL Program held its annual College Prep Seminar & Essay Writing Workshop. This week was led by Ed Kim, VP of Education & Training at Code Ninjas, who has many years of experience working with high school students to achieve their higher education goals. Ed’s presentation covered the college admissions process, what admissions officers look for, and how students can stand out from other applicants.
Student Testimonies
“My favorite part of the workshop was when we had the opportunity to ask the counselor personal questions. It felt like having a one-on-one session where we could openly discuss the specific challenges we were facing, rather than just talking about general issues about college.” - Celine, 9th Grade
“My favorite part of the workshop is when Ed gave an outline on what each student in each grade should be focusing on during the year. It gave me a good understanding on what I have to accomplish this school year.” - Austin, 10th Grade
“My favorite part of the workshop was Q&A because it gave me the opportunity to ask questions as a sophomore. There’s this notion that underclassmen shouldn’t be curious about colleges and that it's not a priority, but the workshop allowed me to be a part of the experience, because holistically, underclassmen are just a couple years away from having to prepare for applications and it's better to start early than to fall behind.” - Irene, 10th Grade
WAFL Orientation | Oct. 25, 2025
On October 25, the WAFL Program had its online orientation for all of our local and out-of-state students. During the orientation, KAYA Executive Director Eri Kim discussed the program schedule, student conduct policy, and how students can qualify for KAYA scholarships that are awarded at the end of the school year. This was followed by student introductions for the new WAFL class to get to know each other.
The WAFL Program has been conducted online since 2020 and is open to Asian American teens nationwide. This year, we have 20 new students joining our community for a total of 66 students representing 10 states across America.
2025 WAFL Orientation Camp | Oct. 11-13, 2025
In October, we kicked off this year’s We Are Future Leaders Program with our second annual Orientation Camp at Honor’s Haven Retreat & Conference in Ellenville, NY.
On Day 1, the students got to know each other with introductions and icebreaker games that focused on finding common ground and coaching each other through a mental wellness exercise.
To close out the first night of the camp, we had a film screening of Dear Pyongyang, a film created by Yang Yong-hi that tells the story of her family as members of the Zainichi Korean community in Japan and the separation of her family due to the repatriation campaign of the 1970s. This was followed by a group discussion where the students did a media breakdown of the film and shared their reflections as members of the Korean diaspora.
We kicked off Day 2 of the camp with a morning hike and an improv speech activity. The first workshop of the day, “The Story of You,” had our students thinking about their goals and inspirations. They created individual vision boards representing their personal stories and what they want to achieve, and presented them to the class.
After a busy morning, the students went outside for some much needed fresh air and outdoor activities. They played team-building games that encouraged them to think critically and work as a team to achieve a solution. They also had some free time where they used the swimming pool and basketball courts to blow off some steam.
In the evening, we had our TED x KAYA workshop. The students wrote speeches on what being Asian American means to them. They shared personal stories, from grappling with their identities to the ways their families and communities have shaped who they are as people. We ended the evening with a Talent Show with singing and dancing performances as well as a rap battle!
After a busy weekend, we concluded the WAFL Orientation Camp with some final reflections before making our way back home.