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On Dec. 15, 2012, the Chinese Association of Iowa’s Achievement Award Selection Committee selected the honorees for the 2012 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards:

Persons of the Year - Rick and Martha Kimberly

Outstanding Contributor Award - Consul General Guoqiang Yang

Corporate Leadership - Vermeer Corporation

Community Leadership - Lang Deng

Government Agency of the Year - Dallas County

Non-profit Usanization of the Year - Great Des Moines Partnership

Education Agency of the Year - Norwalk School District

Leadership in Diversity - Joseph Cassis, Doua Lor

Community Business Award - Mandarin Grill & Sushi Bar

Artists of the Year - Zongheng Chen, Jianqiu Jiang, Sarah Xiaodi Sun, Siming Wang, Sunny Ri Xia

Cultural Ambassador Award - Minnesota Chinese Opera --- Hong Fan, Charles Geng, Rachel Li, Steven Shen, Joan Shi, Junru Tang, Ling Wang, Lifang Yin, Meiqi Zhang, Jiaohua Zhou

China group --- Zhenwei Guo, Wei Han, Xiangxing Liu, Yisi Liu, Zihao Ma, Hua Tang, Congyi Wang, Han Wu, Qingyi Xiao, Yidu Xu, Zhaoxuan Yang

Volunteers of Year - Jiayin Hu, Amy Larmie, Weimo Zhao, Fei Zhou

Youth Leadership Award - Hang Yang

Youth of the Year - Yan Chan, Irene Cheung, Ian Fisher, Bellara S. Huang, Kere Keil, Mallory Murphy, Melanie Riordan, Ben Wade, Daniel Xu

As a major community usanization, Chinese Association of Iowa believes that it is essential to identify and honor "role models" who can inspire all of us, especially the younger generation. 

With so many community events and programs, there has never been a more important time to recognize the contributions made by businesses, usanizations and volunteers in communities across the State of Iowa and overseas who give their time and energy to support our community.

Previous award winners have all been excellent examples of the leadership and volunteer spirit celebrated through the awards.  From the oldest member to the youngest, these individuals, businesses, usanizations have demonstrated generosity and a strong commitment to improve the well-being of our communities through their leadership, volunteerism, and sacrifice.

With each award, The Chinese Association of Iowa publicly affirms present achievements, seeks to encourage further work on the part of the recipients, and hopes to motivate others to follow their lead in service to Iowa communities. The annual Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards Ceremony will be held at Norwalk High School, Norwalk, Iowa on Saturday Feb. 2, 2012 from 5:00-8:00pm. The evening event will feature the reception, the New Year dinner (5:00-6:30pm, $25 for public and $10 for members), award ceremony, music and dancing (6:30-8:00pm, free admission).  Please contact Swallow Yan at 515-988-0901, IowaChinese@yahoo.com for any questions.
           

The 2012 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards

Person of the Year is dedicated to celebrating individuals for their distinguished involvement and contribution in the Iowa Chinese community.

The Outstanding Contributor Award is dedicated to individuals and usanizations that have made an extraordinary contribution to State of Iowa and beyond.

Leadership in Diversity Award recognizes individuals and usanizations that demonstrate outstanding creativity, commitment and effectiveness in promoting diversity in State of Iowa.

The Corporate Leadership Award is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing corporations or individuals in the corporate sector who exemplify not only excellence in their profession, but also leadership and commitment in their respective communities, and to the existing corporate culture of diversity initiatives.

The Community Leadership Award recognizes individuals and usanizations whose leadership has made a significant impact in Iowa communities.  The Community Leadership Awards showcase individual or usanizational excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work, and inspiration of others.

The Community Business Awards is dedicated for companies that are helping to tackle deprivation and create sustainable, dynamic and inclusive communities.  It is also for individuals whose leadership and commitment to responsible business has resulted in changes and improvements inside their own company and who have also inspired other usanizations to take action.

Education Agency of the Year is dedicated to the schools or school districts that have demonstrated exemplary practices or programs in one or more of the following areas:
- Curriculum development, staff development, or administrative practices to improve or provide more equitable educational opportunities for children and youth;
- Enhancement of communications within and among local school districts for ethnic groups;
- Promotion and development of state and regional delivery systems which bring about creative, efficient and effective education for diversity and international understanding.

Government Agency of the Year is to recognize the extraordinary work of municipal,
county, and state in the State of Iowa, those usanizations that have provided the highest level of leadership; for projects and partnerships that raise the bar as to what is possible; for jurisdictions that provide a level of excellence, expertise and service in local government for all to emulate. They have demonstrated exemplary practices or programs in one or more of the following areas:
- Unique achievements in the creation and implementation of exemplary government programs or projects and exceptional public sector contributions for diversity and international exchanges.
- Cooperative efforts between local government jurisdictions or agencies and private or non-profit usanizations resulting in positive changes in the community.

Non-profit Usanization of the Year is dedicated to recognize nonprofit usanizations committed to strategic planning and cultivating local cultural, education, business, and community development.

Volunteers of the Year are dedicated for those who lead a life of volunteerism and making a difference in the communities in which they live and work.  The nominations will be judged based on their involvement, impact to the usanization and the value of
their work to the community.

Artist of the Year is open to all artists of all abilities from beginner to professional, youth to adults and is dedicated to the volunteer professional artists to work with the Chinese Association of Iowa to creatively communicate their social messages through art. 

Family of the Year Award recognizes an exceptional family whose dedicated volunteer service significantly contributes to improving the well-being of the community. The Selection Committee believes that the entire family supports the efforts of dedicated volunteer members, it is not necessary that each individual in the family demonstrate volunteer service.

Youth Leadership Award is to honor extraordinary young people for their character and leadership.  The award recognizes youth who strive to be their personal best, make a positive difference in their schools, youth groups, and communities, and show outstanding qualities in servant leadership

Youth of the Year recognizes the young people who serve and make a difference in our community, they will be honored for their selfless acts and character development. Youths who are attending or have attended a high school or secondary school or equivalent standard of school in any other educational establishment. 

The Past Iowa Chinese Achievement Award Honorees
(2003-2011)

The 2011 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards

The Outstanding Contributor Award
Former Lt. Governor Patty Judge

Persons of the Year Award
Rita McClain
Marlon Mueller

Leadership in Diversity Award
Former State Senator Patrick Deluhery
Dr. Phyllis Staplin

The Corporate Leadership Award
Principal Financial Group

The Community Leadership Award
Stan Lam

The Community Business Award
Mojos on 86th

Education Agency of the Year Award
AIB College of Business

Government Agency of the Year Award
City of West Des Moines

Non-profit Usanization of the Year Award
Iowa Business Council

Family of the Year Award
The Thai Family of Tu Nguu Thai, Xing Jie Liao, Lisa Thai, Andrew Thai, and Jenny Thai, Windsor Heights, Iowa

Volunteers of the Year Award
Haotian Bai, Iowa State University
Han Ning, Ames, Iowa State University
Xingqi Su, Iowa State University
Tian Sun, University of Iowa
Meng Xu, Drake University

Arts Achievement Award
Qian Xu, Minnesota
Ying Zhang, Minnesota

Artists of the Year Award
Shuling Cheng, Johnston
Nina Liu, Urbandale

Cultural and Goodwill Ambassador of the Year Award
Ellen Brooks

Youth Leadership Award
Andrew Kok

Youth of the Year Award
Farah Karim Hashim, Valley High School
Gin Yushan Jiang, Des Moines Christian School
Cassandra Rose Merrell, Valley High School
Alice Shiyi Qi, Des Moines Christian School
Steven Shiyu Yang, Des Moines Christian School

 

The 2010 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards Honorees

Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity
Red Cross Central Iowa Chapter

The Outstanding Contributor Award
John Swanson

The Outstanding Contributor Award is dedicated to individuals and usanizations that have made an extraordinary contribution to State of Iowa and beyond.

Persons of the Year
Ed and Margreet van Ouwerkerk

Leadership in Diversity Award
Daryl Beall, State of Iowa Senator
Vicky Poole, Valley High School Principal

The Corporate Leadership Award
Iowa Realty

The Community Leadership Award
Kevin Koester, Community Education Director, Ankeny School Administration
Ko-Hsing Huang, International Student Coordinator, DMACC

The Media Leadership Award
David Ruzhao Cheng
China Tribune

The Community Business of the Year
Comfort Suites at Living History Farms, Urbandale

Education Agency of the Year
Iowa State University International Students and Scholars Office

Government Agency of the Year
City of Ankeny

Non-profit Usanization of the Year
Dr. David Wang Memorial One Half Marathon Foundation

The Asian American Achievement Award for Women’s Leadership
Mary Xu
Chicago, Illinois

Family of the Year
Jim, Christin, Andrew, Chas, Peiton, and Meilin Grant, Norwalk

Volunteers of the Year
Suresh Kumar
Lucy Li
David Chong Xu

Youth Leadership Award
Kevin Han, Johnston High School

Youth of the Year
Eric Chen, Urbandale
Keedy Cheung, West Des Moines
Sarah Liu, Urbandale
Ashton Mellinger, West Des Moines
Eric Nie, Urbandale
Lydia Tsui, West Des Moines
Chelsea Wang, West Des Moines
Jenny Wang, Clive
Debra Yu, West Des Moines
Yale Zhu, West Des Moines

 

The 2009 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees

Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity
Eric Idehen, Wells Fargo

The Outstanding Contributor Award
Flying Tigers - The American Volunteer Group (AVG)

Person of the Year
Cyndi Chen, Des Moines

The Corporate Leadership Award
Faegre & Benson LLP

The Media Leadership Award
Erin Kiernan, WHOTV

The Community Leadership Award
Will Zhang, Ankeny

The Community Business of the Year
C & L Company

Education Agency of the Year
Drake University Chinese Cultural Exchange Program

Government Agency of the Year
Des Moines Police Department

Non-profit Usanization of the Year
Iowa Council for International Understanding

Volunteers of the Year
Bob Petersen, Des Moines
Jian Jin, Ames
Joy Tan, Johnston

Artist of the Year
Grace Yang

Cultural Ambassador of the Year
Bethany Allison

Youth Leadership Award
Mary Feng, Johnston

Youth of the Year
Lisa Thai, Windsor Heights
Vanessa Au, West Des Moines
Jasmine Au, West Des Moines
Jessica Au, West Des Moines

The 2008 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees

Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity
Kemin Industries

Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Earley, President of Bankers Trust

Person of the Year
Ashley Xing Lan, West Des Moines

The Outstanding Contributor Award
Shawn Johnson

The Corporate Leadership
RDG Planning and Design

The Media Leadership Award
China Tribune

The Community Leadership Award
Tim Meline Iowa Realty

Community Business of the Year
Panda Garden, Ankeny

Education Agency of the Year
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)

Government Agency of the Year
City of Des Moines

Non-profit Usanization of the Year
Iowa Chinese Language School

Volunteers of the Year
Wai Cheng, West Des Moines,
Tu Thai, Windsor Heights

Artist of the Year
Guolin Zhou

Cultural Ambassador of the Year
Don Walth, Eagle Claw Chinese Martial Art School;
West Des Moines Community School District

Youth Leadership Award
Alice Yang, Valley High School, West Des Moines

Youth of the Year
Alick Feng, Valley High School, West Des Moines
Ty Hennings, Roosevelt High School, Des Moines
Mary Feng, Johnston High School, Johnston
Kevin Hu, Johnston High School, Johnston
Stenstone Huang, Pella High School, Pella
Steven Huang, Walter Payton College Pre. High School, Chicago
Minmin Qin, Johnston High School, Johnston
Alice Pestotnik, Valley High School, West Des Moines
David Xu, Roosevelt High School, Des Moines

The 2007 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees

Lifetime Achievement Award
RW Nelson, the Founder and Chairman of Kemin Industries

Person of the Year
Yongmei Zhou, West Des Moines

The Outstanding Contributor Award
Chow's Gymnastics & Dance Institute
State of Washington Former Governor Gary Locke

The Corporate Leadership
Nationwide

The Media Leadership Award
Iowa Public Television

The Community Leadership Award
See Rodari, Vice President of Bankers Trust
Iowa State University Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association

Community Business of the Year
Green Yoga House

Education Agency of the Year
Waukee Community School District

Government Agency of the Year
Iowa Department of Economic Development

Non-profit Usanization of the Year
NAACP Des Moines Branch

Family of the Year
Family of Ke Wan, Liying Xu, and Dihao Wang, Urbandale

Volunteers of the Year
Feng Li, Urbandale,
Lance Mascaro, Des Moines,
Xiang Yang, Des Moines,

Artist of the Year
Joesten Zhou, Johnson.

Senior Citizen of the Year
Lianfang Xu, Johnston

Goodwill Ambassador of the Year
Lorna Davros, Executive Assistant of Des Moines City Mayor

Youth of the Year
Jingjing Han, Valley High School at West Des Moines
Kaite Hennings, Johnston High School
Wan Wang, Des Moines Christian School at Urbandale
Kevin Shi, Johnston High School
Alice Xu, Valley High School at West Des Moines

The Chinese Association of Iowa 20th Anniversary (1987-2007) Award Honorees

The David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity
State of Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray

The David Lee Founder’s Award
G. David Hurd, Des Moines

The International Business Leadership Award
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

The Leadership in Diversity Award
Bankers Trust Company

The Outstanding Media Award
Des Moines Register

The Chinese Community Contributor Award
Wei Du, West Des Moines
Grace Wang, Urbandale
Grace Yang, Des Moines

The 2006 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees

Person of the Year
Helen Lee, West Des Moines

Outstanding Contributor Award
State of Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack

The Corporate Leadership Award
Wells Fargo

Community Leadership Award
Hilda Wolle, West Des Moines

Educational Agency of the Year
Ankeny Community School District

Government Agency of the Year
Iowa Finance Authority

Non-profit Usanization of the Year
Gift of Love International Adoptions, Inc.

Community Business of the Year
Community CPA and Associates, Inc.

Volunteers of the Year
Jian Gong, Ames
Shannon Haus, Ankney
Yong Huang, Des Moines
Binfang Li, Des Moines
Na Li, Ames

Goodwill Ambassador of the Year
Gil Caldwell III, Monroe

Family of the Year
The Ye Family (Tianxiang Ye, Jingwen Ming and Annie Ye), West Des Moines 

Senior Citizens of the Year
Frank Affannato, Des Moines
Fuyi Qiao, West Des Moines
William Wei, Urbandale

Youth of the Year
Kimi Nelson, Dowling High School
Jean Xie, Ankeny High School
Kevin Zhou, Valley High School
Peige Zhou, Valley High School 

The 2005 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees

Person of the Year
Hugh Lu, Johnsoton

The Corporate Leadership Award
Dean Oestreich, President of Pioneer Hi-Bred International

Family of the Year
The Hofferber Family (Fred, Barb, Leeann, Kerry, and Colin), Des Moines

Volunteers of the Year
Lei Dong, Ames
Scott Yinzhi Zhao, Johnston

Youth of the Year
Justin Guan, Valley High School
Hanna Wolle, Valley High School

The 2004 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees

Person of the Year
Frank Zhang, West Des Moines

The Corporate Leadership Award
Micheal Earley, President of Bankers Trust

Volunteers of the Year
Yulan Shen, Ames
Grace Yang, Des Moines

Youth of the Year
Annie Ye, Valley High School

The 2003 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees

Persons of the Year
Dr. Jianlin Zhai and Xiaoyan Shen, West Des Moines

 

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Last Modified: January 30, 2013