Toronto & GTA, ON – An eco advocate from Ottawa, an ace badminton champion from Richmond Hill, a gifted pianist from Toronto, and a technology innovator from Vancouver. These are four of the seven student winners of the 22nd Annual Jean Lumb Awards from across Canada.
The Jean Lumb Foundation celebrates 22 years of awarding scholarships to recognize excellence in students of Chinese heritage from coast to coast. Since the foundation’s inception in 1998, it has recognized 99 students, many of whom are now leaders in their chosen fields. Past recipients of the Jean Lumb Award are now working as lawyers, medical doctors, entrepreneurs, engineers, graphic artists, educators, accountants, and dentists locally, across Canada as far north as Nunavut, and around the world in the United States, China, and Singapore.
Without a doubt, this year’s winners of the Jean Lumb Awards are the best of the best who will continue in their individual quests for excellence in the future. They’re all bright, young, and exceptional in Academics, the Arts, Community Services, Athletics, Defence of the Environment, Dignity of Life, and Innovation. Four award winners are from the GTA, two from Ottawa, and one from Vancouver.
“My mother was born in 1919 so this year would have been her 100th birthday. She would have been very proud of the exemplary achievements of the seven award winners,” said Arlene Chan, eldest daughter of Jean Lumb and president of the Jean Lumb Foundation. “The judging panel had the challenge of selecting seven winners out of so many outstanding applications from across Canada. With this year’s award winners, there are now over 100 recipients of the Jean Lumb Awards in our twenty-two year history.”
The Jean Lumb Awards are given annually to recognize the extraordinary talents and skills of young people and to encourage their continued quest for excellence. The awards celebrate the hopes and dreams of the early generations of Chinese Canadians whose hard work and sacrifice have paved the road for today’s generation. Jean Lumb was the first Chinese Canadian woman to receive the Order of Canada for her tireless community work as a voice and advocate for Chinese communities in Toronto and across Canada. One hundred years after her birth in 1919 and seventeen years after her passing in 2002, Jean Lumb’s legacy remains alive and well.
The 2019 Jean Lumb Award winners:
Lindsay Bui (白立云),Northview Heights S.S., Toronto, wins the Arts Award, sponsored by the Chung-Kotcheff Family.
Lindsay’s teacher described her as “very gifted musically, reaching a level of expertise in piano playing that many people can only dream of achieving.” Playing piano since the age of seven, she received her ARCT Performer’s Diploma in 2018. Lindsay has performed as a scholarship winner with The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists at concerts, master classes, and fund-raising events. She placed first at: Canadian Music Competition, 2018; North York Music Festival, 2018 and 2019; CCC Music Festival; Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival; and, Markham Music Festival. A finalist at the Hanoi International Piano Competition and an honourable mention at the Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, she was a full scholarship participant at Pete De Grote Festival in the Netherlands. She is currently studying level 10 RCM in violin. Besides participating in numerous chamber ensembles, she has accompanied her church choir, played at residential homes and fundraising events, and taught private piano lessons, all while maintaining a 90 average in Grade 12.
Lindsay is studying Music Performance at the University of Toronto.
Caitlin Wong (黃嘉瑩),Bayview S.S., Richmond Hill, wins the Community Services Award sponsored by the Lu Family in memory of Dorothy Lu.
As a dance performer, Caitlin has performed for many organizations and presided as an accomplished emcee at charitable events and galas. When she served as the president of the Toronto Hong Kong Leo’s Club (THKLC), a youth subsidiary of the Toronto Hong Kong Lion’s Club, she lead numerous initiatives, including a book drive for the Children’s Book Bank and a school library in Nepal; food bank programs; a Care Package Delivery program; optical care for children in developing countries; sponsorship teams for twenty-four children to receive cataract surgeries in Ethiopia and Nepal; and an international art and writing contest with entries from over 40 countries. She is the current president of World in Focus, THKLC, and chief financial officer for Prime Leaders Youth Collaborative. Her THKLC advisor stated, “Her work inspires others to follow. The results she delivered were impactful and meaningful. Many less fortunate benefitted.” Her Grade 11 International Baccalaureate teacher described her as being one of the best history students he has taught and noted her humility and well balanced lifestyle as a musician, dancer, and athlete.
Caitlin is studying Economics with AEO status at Western University and pursuing an MBA at the Ivey Business School.
Molly Yu (俞重旭), Marc Garneau C.I., Toronto, wins the Academics Award sponsored by the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Molly was enrolled in TOPS, an enriched academic program for math and sciences, as one of only sixty students chosen from over 500 applicants. Molly stayed at the top of her class and achieved some of the highest marks in her grade. She challenged herself by taking the most difficult courses which brought her up to par with first- and second-year university courses. She was awarded Magnum Cum Laude and Magna Proficere, given to only a few students in the class. She scored in the top one percent of Canada in the Canadian Biology Olympiad and qualified as one of four students to represent Canada at the International Biology Olympiad in Hungary. For three years in a row, she placed first and second in HOSA, a health science competition, qualifying for its International Leadership Conference. There, she ranked top 20 internationally in her event. In grade 11, she took the SAT exam, achieving a score of 1580 out of 1600 and placing in the 99th percentile worldwide. Both her references spoke of her outstanding work as a piano instructor at Mon Sheong Foundation where she has been recognized for her dedication and commitment to seniors. She was a provincial synchronized swimmer with the Markham Synchro Club and on the school swim team.
Molly is studying Software Engineering at the University of Waterloo.
Brian Yang (杨 灿), Richmond Hill H.S., wins the Athletics Award sponsored by Murphy & Chung Chartered Accountants.
Brian is an accomplished badminton player who has won many titles nationally and internationally. He is Canada’s youngest national champion for both junior and senior categories and Canada’s first ever Olympic badminton medalist. He has proudly represented Canada in all-world’s first-class team events: 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2018 Thomas Cup, and 2019 Sudirman Cup. Brian is ranked the top badminton player in Pan America and fourth in Junior Men’s Singles of the Badminton World Federation. The Yonex German Junior International Prix stated: “After winning over world best junior players from Netherlands, China, Malaysia, Thailand, badminton athlete Brian Yang has ONCE AGAIN advanced to semi-finals at one of the most prestigious junior events, the Yonex German Junior International Grand Prix! And Brian is ONCE AGAIN the only non-Asian player who secured a spot in the semi-finals.” One of his supporting letters noted that he has “remarkably balanced his athletic and academic demands and spends considerable time volunteering. He has made a splendid ambassador for his community and country.” His high school teacher and badminton coach reported: “Even when he was unable to represent our school, he still attended practices and helped out his fellow teammates.” She proudly referred to him as “Canada’s best and brightest badminton star.”
Brian is studying Kinesiology at McMaster University.
Kai Leong (梁英建),Killarney S.S., Vancouver, wins the Innovation Award sponsored by the Choi King and John C. Mah Memorial Fund.
From an early age, Kai worked as a teen advisor with the Vancouver Public Library to organize, facilitate, and promote events and programs for teens and youth. He worked as a student researcher for Senior Fall Risk and Alzheimer’s Disease, as a summer intern with Hatch Engineering designing and implementing infrastructure for five projects, and as a researcher with like-minded youth and industry professionals to create positive change in the program, Science World: Future Science Leaders (Research Stream). He developed a smartphone-based gait analysis system using Python algorithm and tri-axial accelerometer data to improve accessibility for seniors, an invention that has inspired him to continue in helping to improve seniors’ lives. Kai’s awards include gold and silver medals at Greater Vancouver regional and national science fairs, the International Summer School for Young Physicists Award, and eight upper level awards. Kai organized a local and independent Youth Ted Talks event as a member of a Youth Ted Talks committee and served as vice president of the Killarney Model United Nations Club, as chief marketing officer of the Killarney Business Competition Club, as well as a lead member of the Killarney Here4Peers Mental Health Club. Outside of school, he dedicates his leadership skills to mentoring students, serving as a key researcher for a program at BC Children’s Hospital, and connecting youth from across Canada in SHAD science and technology inquiry projects. His teacher highlighted his leadership and community contributions that impacted the school and the community, not only as a “well-rounded student but an excellent leader and team player.”
Kai is studying science at the University of British Columbia and pursuing a career pertaining to neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and treatment.
Jasmine Wu (武嘉明),Lisgar C.I., Ottawa, wins the Dignity of Life Award sponsored by the Maximilian Family Fund.
Jasmine’s reference stated that she is “always positive, always engaged, always insightful” and “an exemplary student.” Her other reference spoke of how she is highly motivated, dedicated, empathetic, and intelligent with a wonderful natural ability to connect and work with people of varying ages. As a volunteer, Jasmine worked with a grade nine science class, cited as an absolute asset to the teacher. Students trusted her ability and caring nature. This was part of her school’s Peer Tutor Program. As a volunteer at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, she interacted every week with patients of all ages, primarily elderly ones in the Geriatric Wing, using skills she acquired during a summer Health Sciences Hospital internship. As co-head of her school’s Biomedical Club, she led a group to educate others about current research, e.g., Canada’s opioid crisis, as well as training and encouraging others to support themselves with Kids Help Phone. To contribute to the global improvement of health, she volunteered abroad with MEDLIFE in underprivileged communities in Peru and witnessed the extreme poverty and lack of proper healthcare. While there, she triaged patients and helped prepare lab work, an experience that impacted her life. Besides being a long jump champion, a competitive skater, and an award-winning musician, Jasmine is driven by her desire to help those in need and unlike most people who only think about helping others, she actually does it, said one of her teachers. He added that her work ethic was unparalleled and her positive spirit contagious.
Jasmine is enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Sciences Program at Western University.
Violet Cai (蔡舒扬),Earl of March S.S., Ottawa, wins the Defence of the Environment Award sponsored by Fay and John Wong.
Violet’s teacher supervisor for the Eco Earl Club noted that Violet more than demonstrated her dedication to organizing and implementing environmental initiatives as president of Eco Earl. She organized a school campaign to reduce textiles that end up in landfills by having staff and students bring excess clothing and textiles to school. She raised funds to donate to Oxfam Unwrapped for the purchase of supplies for vegetable gardens and a beehive. As head of finances for the Green Energy Vehicle Club, she helped create a vehicle to run on 100% renewable energy, her efforts resulting in the school and her receiving a Globally Awareness Award. At the National Student Commonwealth Forum, she represented the Republic of Rwanda with a focus on sustainable cities and communities. She is an Ecology Ottawa Youth Ambassador rallying the City of Ottawa to transform bus fleets to all electric buses by 2035. She was engaged in the Powershift: Young & Rising forum which addressed environmental issues directly affecting the rights of indigenous peoples in Canada. In her personal life, Violet models sustainable environmental practices and participates in events, such as UNAC World Environment Day, Waste Free Days, and Capital Clean Up, as an example to her peers.
Violet is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts Program at McGill University.
The Awards
The winners will be presented at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2019, at the Miller Lash House, University of Toronto Scarborough, 130 Old Kingston Road, Scarborough, M1E 3J5.
1:30 pm Advance interviews and photographs with award winners and parents
2:00 pm 22nd annual awards presentations
3:00 pm Reception with light refreshments
Centennial Year Celebration
This centennial year will also see the opening of the newly built Jean Lumb Public School at Spadina Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard, and the launch of the Jean Lumb Lane in Toronto’s Chinatown, near Dundas and Huron Street. Details on these two events will be announced in the coming months.
“I am pleased to add that not only will we be presenting the awards, we will be celebrating my mother’s 100th birthday on October 19. As part of the centennial year celebration, we will celebrate the naming of the newly built Jean Lumb Public School and the launch of the Jean Lumb Lane in Toronto’s historic Chinatown in the coming months,” said Arlene Chan.