Retreat for Asian Youth

2024 Retreat for Asian Youth (RAY) - Recap

Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: 575 Riley Hospital Dr., Suite 2500, Indianapolis, IN 46202

We are delighted to share the success of this year’s Retreat for Asian Youth (RAY), held on Sunday, September 22. Hosted by the Asian American Alliance Inc., the event brought together bright and ambitious Asian American high school students from across Indiana for a full day of leadership development, inspiration and networking.

A Day of Empowerment
The event started with an engaging icebreaker activity led by Pamela Sari, Ph.D., Director of the Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center (AAARCC) at Purdue University. This set the tone for an exciting day filled with learning and growth.

The morning featured two powerful speaker sessions. Apsara Sakbun, Olympic swimmer and Operations Analyst at Wells Fargo, shared her journey of discipline and perseverance in both sports and her professional life. Patrick Armstrong, an award-winning podcaster and proud Asian American adoptee, followed by discussing identity, resilience and his unique experiences as a voice in the Asian American community.

Afternoon Engagement
After lunch, students dove into an interactive leadership session led by Lauren Primer, Senior Analytical Chemist at Eli Lilly and Linda Chang, Recruiting Specialist at Milliner & Associates. The session encouraged students to engage in critical conversation topics and how they can leverage their strengths to make a positive impact in their communities.

Closing Inspiration
The event concluded with inspiring talks from Cat Sandoval, Investigative Reporter at WISH-TV and Ken Iwama, Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education at Indiana University. Both leaders shared powerful stories from their careers, offering students valuable insights on overcoming challenges and pursuing their goals with determination.

Building Future Leaders
The Retreat for Asian Youth is more than just an event—it's an opportunity for young Asian American students to see what’s possible and to learn from accomplished leaders in their community. We are proud to have provided a platform for students to connect, learn and be inspired by successful Asian American professionals.

Looking Ahead
Thank you to all the speakers, sponsors and attendees who made this event a success. We are excited to continue empowering the next generation of leaders and look forward to more opportunities to support our community’s future.

Stay connected with Asian American Alliance Inc. as we continue our mission of uplifting and empowering the Asian American community in Indiana!

Watch our video below and view all the pictures from the retreat!