4th Annual Honors Banquet

September 24th, 2016 | ASG Events

The American Scholar Group held its 4th Annual Honors Banquet on September 24th, 2016 in the Student Banquet Hall.

ASG staff pledged to deliver the best educational experience possible, and the students committed to academic upholding the values of academic integrity and to treat their teachers and peers with respect and dignity through reciting the Honor Oath. Everyone was in full dress, including the staff, students, and guests from the community at large. A brunch of mixed breakfast items began the afternoon’s activities after brief opening remarks and prayer. Jim Chapin, Group Chaplain, gave the keynote address, which highlighted the year’s theme – Everyone Has a Story. “We were created to be able to chance. Change is required of ASG students. This isn’t a one-way relationship. We all share our stories together and it becomes one.”

This couldn’t have been said better, because the decision to come to a foreign country, thousands of miles from home, isn’t a simple one to make. The doubts and uncertainties are boundless, but new and returning students continue finding the courage every year.

The event serves as another reminder of our community’s commitment to placing students first, while also teaching students to respect their peers and the values of academic integrity, and a desire to never stop improving.

Check out our favorite photos from the day in our gallery!

ASG hosts 3rd Annual Leadership Day

September 17th, 2016 | Featured

ASG held its 3rd Annual Leadership Day at Chapel Hill Campus on September 17th, 2016. This year’s program featured 7 different stations and games, each designed to emphasize the importance of teamwork and critical thinking skills. 14 groups of students rotated through each station, competing against various teams throughout the event.

More strenuous stations, like Human Football, the Minute–to–win-It games, and the Obstacle Course, tested students’ athleticism and ability to assign positions according to each teammate’s strengths. While stations like the Spider Web, Spaghetti Tower, Tarp Flip, and Mine Field tested their problem solving and communication skills.

The atmosphere was electric, as the students completed each event with determination and effectively balanced a competitive attitude with learning the lessons of the day well. Students and staff alike praised the event as a huge success and look forward to next year’s event.

ASG’s Leadership Day is held every year to give students the chance to work together in teams, solve problems, and make new friends along the way. That’s just what happened, as the students came together as one and worked toward the overcoming the challenges that each station presented.

Check out our favorite photos from the day in our gallery!

Korean and Vietnam Societies host joint MidAutumn Festival Event

September 16th, 2016 | Student Clubs

Students of the Korean and Vietnam Societies organized their first event together and held a party to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday, September 18th, 2016. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a staple of many Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Vietnam and can be as significant as Thanksgiving is to Americans.

Students from both clubs decided to organize the event to celebrate their different cultures even as they continue their education in America. Vietnamese Society Students organized lantern making while Korean Society Students gathered to make rice cakes with their peers. Music was also played with the language of each country. The room was never quiet, as everyone was constantly talking with each other.

“What makes this event significant [in Vietnam] is the kids,” said Jennifer Hoang, President of the Vietnamese Society. “They make paper lanterns and masks, and then play on the streets with their friends. The Mooncake is considered a delicacy for the event.” The Mooncake is enjoyed by celebrators of the event, as a way to rejoice the first full moon of autumn.

Beyond simply celebrating culture, the event also gave students from each club the opportunity to understand what it takes to plan, organize, and then run an event. Members from both clubs engaged in numerous meetings in the weeks leading up to the event to consider their various needs and challenges. Both club presidents shared that plans have already been made for future events.

Click here to watch a video of the event created by the Vietnamese Society President, Jennifer Hoang!

All photos courtesy of ASG student Ellie Nguyen!

ASG Students Learn What It’s Like to Ride in Style at Classic Car Cruise

September 11, 2016 | Local Events

Students visited the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce’s 19th Annual Car Cruise on September 11th. The day consisted of a Craft & vendor village; BBQ ribs and corn roast; homemade pies; Chinese auction; raffles; DJ and 95.1FM Country Music’s famous Froggy’s remote. Student’s got to see several kinds of American-made cars as well as car models from all over the globe. Photo ops with cars old and new and a few Froggy friends ensued. After this event the student’s will know all about what it’s like to ride in style.

ASG Students Run 5K Color Dash

September 25th, 2016 | Local Events

A team recently represented ASG in the 5k Color Run for charity. Linda Hu of China and Maria Matuszewska of Poland ran with their Yale House Parent, Mary Kephart at Riverside Park, in Greenville, Pennsylvania.
The event involves participants hitting different color stops along the marathon route and using these multiple colors to spice up their white t-shirts, all the while running for an overall healthy life. The event itself visits 200 cities and 40 countries every year with 50% of all fees and proceeds going towards local charities all over the globe; this year’s Color Dash benefitted Thiel College. This was both Linda’s and Maria’s first 5K and the girls each clocked a respectable 22:00 and 24:00 minute 5K respectively. Congratulations ladies on a job well done!

ASG Students get Wet and Wild at Favorite White Water Rafting Event

September 3rd, 2016 | Activities

A group of ASG students went white water rafting at Ohiopyle state park on September 3rd. The day was colored with many smiles, laughter, and the occasional scream from falling into the cool September waters as the group navigated along the beautiful Youghiogheny River.