Alum of the Month
FEBRUARY 2012: KEVIN NG
We recently sat down with Mikva alumnus, Kevin Ng, to interview him about his Mikva experiences and what he's been up to since his time at Mikva. This is what he had to say:
How did you first get involved with Mikva Challenge?
I started getting involved with Mikva during my junior year at Whitney Young High School. My US History teacher announced it to us in class and told us we would get extra credit if we went to these Mikva meetings - so I went really for the sole purpose of extra credit, not thinking it would become so much more.
What did you do with Mikva Challenge?
I was involved with making campaign posters for our school's mock election and volunteered to help out with the mock elections. I was also a student election judge twice - which was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I ended up working at all the stations at once because I wanted to. The people I met there were great. I also volunteered and campaigned for a Representative in my district. My friend and I went around translating for him to Chinese families, convincing them to vote for him. He ended up winning for the position he was vying for.
What are you doing now?
Currently I am a junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Community Health, with a double concentration in Health Administration and Planning and Health Education and Promotion. I am also a student intern at my school's LGBT Resource Center where I work to advocate for LGBT rights and to create a safe and inclusive environment. Through the center, I will be giving a presentation on sex education soon. I am also a Chez Scholar, which promotes academics, leadership, and volunteering. After I graduate, I am planning to get a Masters in Public Health.
How has your experience as a Mikva student informed where you are today?
Through the Mikva program, I became more involved with politics. I was very apathetic to politics before because I just didn't care. I didn't think my voice mattered. Through Mikva I learned that one person can make a difference, and I encourage apathetic people to start getting involved or at least become more knowledgeable on the rights they have. I probably wouldn't have become an intern at the LGBT Resource Center nor have found a cause to be passionate about. I would have never been excited to vote once I turned 18. I am thankful to be a Mikva Alumnus. It's great to be part of this program and I support everything they are doing to educate students about politics and getting them involved. It has really shaped me as a person.
