I can’t believe it’s already been one year since Most Promising Minority. It was and will always be a great memory. One year ago, I was sitting around in the library trying to figure out my statistics homework when I checked my email and got that surprise. I never thought a rather ordinary nobody like me would get it because 1) I wasn’t someone really active in clubs and held posts; 2) I was an international student and it was open only to U.S. residents. Thinking back now, perhaps I was really something. Steve told me to think about it: I am one of the 50 students chosen nationally, plus I’m an international student which is very rare. I like to think that I got it because I stood out from the rest. Everyone was either into account management/planning or creative, but I was into the facts and figures. Anyway, at the end of the day, it made me feel like I actually owned it. It was my hard work and doing that got me the award.

I want to share this video from the AAF website with everyone. Whatever is said in it is true. It IS a chance in a lifetime and you WILL meet great people.

I may not be holding the coolest advertising job on the planet now, but MPMS really opened my eyes to what was out there. It showed me that getting the award was just the first step, I had to put in a lot of effort and hard work to make things happen especially since there were 49 other great students out there. It made me discover a lot about my strengths and abilities. It taught me to reach out for what I want in life based on my capabilities. I met great people and made friends who inspired and encouraged me to keep doing my best.

Now, that greatness has to be passed down. The 2012 awardees have been announced. You guys deserve it because you went out all the way to get it whether it be in studies or activities. You deserve it because you knew you could make a difference whether it be in the advertising industry, in your studies, or in your activities. You deserve it because you bothered to try hard enough. Congrats! Have fun in New York. Learn all you can while you’re there.