SSFA Events, Programs, and Seminars Schedule

The Sejong Scholarship Foundation of America held its regular board meeting in Ellicott City on November 11, 2024, led by President John Hwang. During the meeting, the Foundation finalized the selection of its 2024 scholarship recipients, with unanimous approval from the board members. This year, 24 students—20 college and graduate students and 4 high school students—were awarded scholarships totaling $33,000.

Outstanding Scholarship Recipient

Ji Ye Yoon, a junior nursing student at Georgetown University, was named the outstanding scholarship recipient and awarded a $3,000 scholarship. Excelling academically, Yoon is majoring in pediatric nursing and health. She has developed practical skills in health assessment, internal and surgical nursing, and mental health management through clinical experiences at Georgetown University Hospital and Dominion Hospital.

Highlights from the Meeting

President Hwang stated, "This year, we received a record number of applications, with many exceptional students applying, which enabled us to increase the number of top scholarship recipients." He also shared plans to expand the number of outstanding scholarship recipients each year. Expressing his gratitude to sponsors and board members, he added, "As our art competition continues to grow each year, we are committed to making this foundation one that inspires dreams for future generations."

Chairman Yong Ik Jong, currently visiting Korea, shared his joy at being able to provide scholarships to students in need through funds raised at this year’s golf tournament. He stated, "In today’s global era, I hope that talented individuals who are essential to American society will contribute across various fields." He also emphasized his commitment to prioritizing efforts to expand financial resources in support of this mission.

Selection Committee Feedback

Members of the scholarship selection committee, Professors Dr. Justin Ji (Management) and Dr. Keunsu Han (Sport Management) from Towson University, commented, "Most students demonstrated exceptional academic achievements and provided unique reflections on themselves and their communities. We were deeply impressed by their expressions of personal challenges, insights, and lessons learned." They added that they are greatly looking forward to engaging directly with the scholarship recipients in workshops for the first time this year.

They further remarked, "Ji Ye Yoon’s essay captures her multifaceted journey of growth through clinical practice and community involvement with remarkable depth." They highlighted her progression from initial anxiety to a sense of comfort in her interactions with patients, along with the teamwork and camaraderie she fostered with fellow nurses during clinical practice. Yoon’s experiences working with children from diverse backgrounds also cultivated her cultural sensitivity and self-awareness, which she conveyed with gratitude and a clear sense of purpose. In doing so, she emphasized the deep fulfillment gained from serving and learning from others.

Upcoming Events

The Sejong Scholarship Foundation will host an award ceremony at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Bayside Cantina Banquet Hall in Baltimore. Prior to the ceremony, a workshop for scholarship recipients will be held at 3 p.m.

About the Foundation

Since its founding in 1997, the Sejong Scholarship Foundation has awarded a total of $682,000 in scholarships to 703 high school, undergraduate, and graduate students as of last year.

Chairman Hwang Hong-joo of the Sejong Scholarship Foundation in the US, directors, and award winners

The Sejong Scholarship Foundation (President Hwang Heung-ju) has announced the winners of the 3rd Art Contest. Under the theme "When I Grow Up," the competition saw 91 participants from Korean and other ethnic student communities in Maryland and Virginia, with 29 winners selected. The grand prize was awarded to Katie Flanagan (10th grade) for her piece "Flower Garden."

On the 19th, the Sejong Scholarship Foundation in the US (Chairman Hwang Heung-joo) held the award ceremony and exhibition for the 3rd Art Contest.

At the award ceremony held that afternoon at Bayside Cantina in Canton, Baltimore, Katie Flanagan (10th grade) won the grand prize with her piece 'Flower Garden'. A total of 29 winners received certificates and prizes. This contest, themed 'When I Grow Up', received 91 submissions from Korean and other ethnic students in Maryland and Virginia.

The judging was divided into four categories: Youth (K-2), Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), and High School (9-12). Additionally, ten honorable mentions and special awards from companies like Beseto, Korea Daily, Baltimore County, Welcome Home Realty, RNDC, and M&T Bank were selected.

Chairman Hwang Heung-joo expressed his gratitude, stating, “I thank the executives, directors, sponsors, participating students, and parents for their efforts. The winners were selected based on creativity, thematic expression, work description, and overall artistic ability.”

Katherine Yi, the coordinator for District 6 of the Baltimore County Executive Office, congratulated the winners and praised the amazing artworks, urging everyone to remember to thank the parents who supported this endeavor.

The awarded artworks are also displayed on the foundation's website (ssfa.org).

- Reporter Park Ki-chan

Jury Chairman Park Yoon-hoi (third from the right) and officials from the Sejong Scholarship Foundation.

The Sejong Scholarship Foundation (President Hwang Heung-ju) has announced the winners of the 3rd Art Contest. Under the theme "When I Grow Up," the competition saw 91 participants from Korean and other ethnic student communities in Maryland and Virginia, with 29 winners selected. The grand prize was awarded to Katie Flanagan (10th grade) for her piece "Flower Garden."

The judging was divided into four categories: Kindergarten to 2nd grade (K-2), 3rd to 5th grade (3-5), 6th to 8th grade (6-8), and 9th to 12th grade (9-12). Ten students received honorable mentions, and special prizes were awarded by Beseto, The Korea Times, Baltimore County, Welcome Home Realty, RNDC, and M&T Bank.

Jury Chairman Park Yoon-hoi (former professor of painting at Hongik University's College of Fine Arts) commented on the judging, "We focused on how students express their unique traits and creativity as they grow, rather than on competition. I hope this serves as an opportunity for students to develop their own perspectives on the world through self-observation."

Coordinator Choi Eun-hee stated, "Each year, we see an increase in participants and the quality of submissions, reflecting the students' passion and sincerity for art. We individually notified the winners selected on the 11th via email."

President Hwang Heung-ju added, "I hope this serves as an opportunity for students to broaden their horizons. The winning artworks will be displayed on the foundation's website."

Chairman Jung Yong-ik also emphasized, "We hope all students, not just the winners, will continue to pursue their dreams and ideals. The foundation will continue to support these efforts."

The awards ceremony and exhibition will be held on Sunday, the 19th at 4 PM, at the second floor of the Bayside Cantina banquet hall in Baltimore.

Below is the list of winners:

Photographer Yoon-Hoe Park,
Chairman of the judging panel for the Sejong Scholarship Foundation of America Art Contest

The Sejong Scholarship Foundation (President Heung-Ju Hwang) is hosting the '3rd Art Competition'.
The theme of the contest is 'When I Grow Up,' and applications must be submitted by the 26th (Friday). There is no entry fee.
The competition is open to all students from kindergarten (K) to 12th grade across the United States. Each participant can submit only one artwork with the dimensions of 9''x12''.
The application form can be downloaded from the foundation's website (ssfa.org) and submitted. Artworks can be mailed or directly submitted to the foundation's office located in Ellicott City (3300 N.Ridge Rd. Suite 380).
The awards are divided into four groups: early years (K-2nd), elementary (3rd-5th), middle (6th-8th), and high school (9th-12th). The grand prize is $150, with $100 for first place in each category, $75 for second place, $50 for third place, and a $10 encouragement prize. Special prizes will also be awarded.
Winners will be notified by email by May 11 (Saturday). The jury chairman is artist Yoon-Hoe Park, who graduated from Hongik University's Department of Painting and Graduate School and has held solo exhibitions at Shinsegae Gallery, Guwoldam Gallery, and Hyewon Gallery, and participated in many group exhibitions.
The exhibition and award ceremony will be held at Bayside Cantina Restaurant in Baltimore on May 19 (Sunday) at 4 PM.
For inquiries, call (410)746-5143, www.ssfa.org
-Reporter Bae Hee-Kyung-