端午龍舟合家歡－清風涼水暢划龍舟來踢走炎夏

奧蘭多特約記者C.K.Lau奧蘭多報導,攝影-C.K.Lau

　　由中佛州中美協會主辦的端午龍舟合家歡，於5月22日在奧蘭多市的Lake Fairview Park－地點為奧蘭多划艇會舉行，近百名中外僑胞齊來共樂，在清涼湖風吹送下，活動由早上9時開始至中午結束。    

　　中美龍舟隊（C.H.A.R.G.E.）全體隊員全力協助，加上奧蘭多龍舟會及Women Playing For T.I.M.E (粉紅女士龍舟會)等多名外籍義工們齊心協力之下，百多名中外僑胞學習與暢划了龍舟。是次與會僑胞除中美協會的部份會員外，還有中華學校的師生，奧蘭多專業人士協會的部份會員，REACH of Central Florida的青年組織成員等。

　　首先安排與會中外僑胞，跟隨菲律賓裔資深龍舟教練Grace Genetia在陸上學習龍舟基本划船的姿勢，動作等正確方法與技巧，然後再分成三組先後登上龍舟在湖中實習．教練Grace Genetia在龍舟上再仔細指導學員之技巧，慕求讓每名學員可以學習到正確之划龍船技巧，一個正確的划龍船技巧隨了增加在比賽中爭取勝利外，還保障學員不會因運動而受傷。最重要是從運動中獲取最大的樂趣。

　 　全日龍舟學習初班，於正午前完成，接著大家齊來享用由金漢酒家提供的美味午餐。大家飽餐之際，鍾博婷、鍾博盈為大家獻上扯鈴表演，大小朋友無不讚好。接 著他倆再讓有興趣的中外僑胞，嚐試玩扯鈴，鍾氏更從旁指導。中美協會舞蹈社社長吳淑慧則為小朋友帶來迷李水池遊戲，讓這群仍未可以學習龍舟運動的孩子們嬉 水暢玩一番。
　　鍾博婷、鍾博盈活動時表示，中華佛州華裔青年協會將於6月11日，9am-2:30pm於傑城（Jacksonville），25日，9am-2:30pm於奧蘭多市舉辦＜暑期扯鈴研習營－Chinese Yo-Yo Summer Camp＞，費用每人只$20（包括扯鈴，點心，請自備午餐）。詳情請聯絡Robert Chung (407)408-5555，或Kenny Chen (407) 683-3693。

　　中佛州中美協會龍舟隊（C.H.A.R.G.E.）隊長蔣健強活動後表示滿意有多組家庭成員夫妻、父子檔上陣，另有與會的中、外籍僑胞活動後主動申請加入龍舟隊，或查詢有關學習龍舟，或如何協助其工作處組織龍舟隊事宜。

　 　中美協會副會長劉程驥活動後表示，並不滿意與會僑胞人數，畢竟活動原意是為中美協會僑胞會員，及居住中佛州的僑胞可以在中佛州享受到一個傳統的中國節慶 而設，活動所訂舉辦日期亦為遷就僑胞可以在孩子放暑假前而特意安排，租用昂貴的龍舟與專業教練，還有中美協會幹事團隊與中美龍舟隊全體隊員無私盡力地安排 整個活動…。能夠在端午節(6月6日)來臨之際來享受一個真正可以划龍舟活動的端午節，中美協會所辦的算是唯一的一個，亦可能是整個中佛州的唯一。

　 　龍舟運動本來就是一個最能發揮 “團隊精神＂的運動遊戲，可喜的是中美協會幹事們便真正發揮了團隊精神。寄望將來再舉辦同類型活動時，能夠獲得華裔僑胞們的熱烈支持。或許有僑胞們認為他 們不懂泳術因而對此項運動郤步，事實龍舟運動有足夠安全措施，龍舟隊員登船都需要配備安全救生背心的。

　　中美龍舟隊需要各界僑胞商界贊助支持，所有的贊助僑胞及商號均會獲得網頁廣告宣傳，龍舟隊製服印上贊助商名字。有意贊助龍舟隊者請聯絡Shally Wong, 電郵：shallywong@asiatrendmagazine.com。另有興趣加入龍舟隊，請電郵聯絡龍舟隊長John Chung: johnchung1@yahoo.com.

中美協會龍舟隊網站 http://orlandochinese.org/CHARGE-DragonBoat.html

中佛州中美協會端午龍舟合家歡活動5/22日舉辦

奧蘭多特約記者C.K.Lau奧蘭多報導,攝影-C.K.Lau

　　龍舟運動沿自中國，近年較多參與的為外國僑胞，他們熱愛和積極參與龍舟運動，主因運動康健身心，還有最重要是，皆因此項運動極需要船上廿名隊員發揮其團隊合作精神。每名划船隊員需要配合船上其餘19名隊員的一致步伐，方能讓龍舟邁步全速航行，直往終點取得勝利。

        　　過去數年中美協會曾舉辦龍舟合家歡活動，跟佛州華人聯合會租用兩艘龍舟，讓中佛州僑胞們可以輕鬆且便宜地一嚐划龍船的滋味。本年度將於5月22日再度舉行，地點為奧蘭多划艇會：2200 Lee Rd., Orlando FL 32810。大人門票＄15（連龍船賽活動，必須13歲或以上，需即場填報便責聲明），小童12歲或以下$5，門票包午餐一份及水一支。中美龍舟合家歡活動包括龍舟速成訓練班（必須13歲或以上），參與者會被分成不同組別，學習正統划龍船方法，然後分組安排划龍舟。詳情請留意中美協會網頁：http://OrlandoChinese.org
　　奧蘭多龍舟會自去年4月的第一艘龍舟下水禮成後，中佛州中美協會便搶先組成奧蘭多市第一支亞裔龍舟隊（C.H.A.R.G.E.），更於去年10月首度參賽狄斯奈龍舟節，雖未能一仗奪標，但未減中美隊舟隊各隊員的興趣。本年4月分別先後參予Tavares市舉辦的中佛州龍舟賽，和天柏市舉行的天柏灣龍舟賽。

　　中佛州中美協會龍舟隊（C.H.A.R.G.E.）成立於去年6月，隊員中包括中美協會會長劉何美蓮先生劉智勇和兩名兒子，副會長劉程驥伉儷，幹事江昭瑢, 莫慧秀, 蔣健強, 前會長金文德, 舞 蹈社社長吳淑慧伉儷，及其他中美協會會員和家屬成員等組成。龍舟隊三仗雖仍未取得任何組別的冠軍獎牌，但無損隊員間對龍舟運動的熱愛，相反隊員間不單增長 了深厚的合作精神，亦同時間提升了會員間在辦理中美協會主辦之活動時之協調性與合作性。龍舟隊實際於三仗中不斷進步中，每仗都只因敗於對手太強。

　　筆者訪問中美龍舟隊的隊員，均表示能夠划龍舟並參與龍舟運動比賽，從前在曾居住的中、港、台城市均沒有可能發生的事情，現在郤可以輕而易舉地參與這項運動，並且花費絕不昂貴。再者龍舟運動本來起源自中國，能夠享受龍舟運動之樂趣，作為保留中華傳統的精神。
　　中美龍舟隊需要各界僑胞商界贊助支持，所有的贊助僑胞及商號均會獲得網頁廣告宣傳，龍舟隊製服印上贊助商名字。有意贊助龍舟隊者請聯絡Shally Wong, 電郵：shallywong@asiatrendmagazine.com。另有興趣加入龍舟隊，請聯絡龍舟隊長John Chung: johnchung1@yahoo.com.

中美協會龍舟隊網站 http://orlandochinese.org/CHARGE-DragonBoat.html

中佛州亞裔傳承月大型慶祝活動本星期日舉辦

奧蘭多特約記者C.K.Lau奧蘭多報導,攝影-C.K.Lau

　　5月9日中午在奧市中心市議廳舉行奧蘭多市市長 Buddy Dyer 頌發的《亞裔傳承月》公告典禮，超過廿多個亞裔團體參與，中佛州亞裔傳承月正式展開。

 

 　  The Asian American Heritage Council（亞裔傳承協會）每年秋季均會發放獎金給予中佛州Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole等五個社區內居住的美亞裔學生們。此項獎學金計劃舉辦了多年，為表揚居住中佛州市內的許多學業成績優異的亞裔學生們，除對學業努力的嘉許外，亦同時間表揚該名獲獎學生每年對社區所作出的貢獻，如參與社區義務工作，積極推動亞裔社群在美國主流社會的形象等。

　　美亞傳承協會美亞裔學生獎學金申請人資格：1. 必須是居住於下列縣內的亞裔居民：Brevard，Orange，Osceola，Seminole。2. 已完成下列一年級2011年6月：•高中（9-12）•中學（6-8）•小學（3-5）。3. 為美亞傳承協會會員組織（詳情請向美亞傳承協會查詢）。4. 必須有GPA3.5或以上。每年暑假後開始接受申請，美亞傳承協會會員組織會通知其下之會員申辦申請手續。

　　美亞傳承協會美亞裔學生獎學金主要來自各大商業機構贊助，以及每年中所舉辦的亞裔傳承月慶祝活動籌募得來。2011亞裔傳承協會耗半年時間統籌5月15日舉辦的Asian Cultural Festival（亞裔文化節），聯合中佛州各亞裔社團齊心參與，超過5個小時的不同亞裔文化表演項目，還有不同特色的亞洲美食。門票只大人$4和小童$2，門票可即場購買或致電周曼宜（407-648-0880），何美蓮 （407-401-9768），劉程驥（646-389-2742）。地點位於鄰近奧蘭市中心I-4公路出口，Doubletree Hotel－ 60 Ivanhoe Boulevard Orlando，酒店電話：407-425-4455。

　　中美協會貴為美亞傳承協會會員組織之一，為表支持這項為美亞裔學生獎學金籌募活動，現凡中佛州中美協會中華學校大小學生，均獲中美協會資助門票，請於5月14日內前住中華學校校務處申領資助門票一張（每名學生只有一張）。

　　美亞傳承協會會長周曼宜和幹事叶剛（中國專業人士協會），誠邀中佛州僑胞齊來購票支持這個對於整個美亞裔學生的獎學金籌募活動。同時間請呼籲閣下的親屬、好友、同事們都來購票。請不要小看這只是$4的小數目，集液成裘便可以為這群社會未來的主人翁增加更多的獎學業金資源。

美亞傳承協會網站 http://aahc-cf.org

White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Key Facts and Figures

TOTAL U.S.: Population is 307 million; 13.2 percent live in poverty; 4.2 percent are unemployed; 15.0 percent haven't graduated high school; 28.5 percent have only a high school degree; 28.8 percent have some college education; 17.50 percent have a bachelor's degree; 10.2 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

ASIAN AMERICAN: Population is 15.5 million; 11.8 percent live in poverty; 3.5 percent are unemployed; 14.4 percent haven't graduated high school; 16.3 percent have only a high school degree; 20.5 percent have some college education; 29.3 percent have a bachelor's degree; 19.5 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

ASIAN INDIAN: Population is 2.73 million; 8.1 percent live in poverty; 3.6 percent are unemployed; 10.0 percent haven't graduated high school; 10.5 percent have only a high school degree; 11.3 percent have some college education; 31.9 percent have a bachelor's degree; 36.3 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

BANGLADESHI: Population is 107,728; 15.8 percent live in poverty; 3.7 percent are unemployed; 17.3 percent haven't graduated high school; 17.2 percent have only a high school degree; 16.8 percent have some college education; 27.9 percent have a bachelor's degree; 20.8 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

CAMBODIAN: Population is 240,142; 19.4 percent live in poverty; 5.9 percent are unemployed; 40.3 percent haven't graduated high school; 24.3 percent have only a high school degree; 21.4 percent have some college education; 11.0 percent have a bachelor's degree; 3.0 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

CHINESE: Population is 3.62 million; 11.3 percent live in poverty; 3.1 percent are unemployed; 18.9 percent haven't graduated high school; 14.6 percent have only a high school degree; 15.3 percent have some college education; 25.8 percent have a bachelor's degree; 25.3 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

FILIPINO: Population is 3.09 million; 6.0 percent live in poverty; 3.7 percent are unemployed; 8.2 percent haven't graduated high school; 15.7 percent have only a high school degree; 30.0 percent have some college education; 37.5 percent have a bachelor's degree; 8.6 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

HMONG: Population is 221,948; 23.2 percent live in poverty; 5.6 percent are unemployed; 39.6 percent haven't graduated high school; 19.8 percent have only a high school degree; 27.2 percent have some college education; 10.7 percent have a bachelor's degree; 2.7 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

INDONESIAN: Population is 78,999; 11.0 percent live in poverty; 4.0 percent are unemployed; 5.9 percent haven't graduated high school; 17.0 percent have only a high school degree; 32.0 percent have some college education; 28.3 percent have a bachelor's degree; 16.8 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

JAPANESE: Population is 1.30 million; 8.8 percent live in poverty; 2.9 percent are unemployed; 7.9 percent haven't graduated high school; 20.2 percent have only a high school degree; 27.0 percent have some college education; 29.8 percent have a bachelor's degree; 15.1 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

KOREAN: Population is 1.61 million; 12.6 percent live in poverty; 3.3 percent are unemployed; 10.1 percent haven't graduated high school; 19.6 percent have only a high school degree; 21.6 percent have some college education; 32.7 percent have a bachelor's degree; 16.0 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

LAOTIAN: Population is 217,175; 12.0 percent live in poverty; 6.3 percent are unemployed; 31.6 percent haven't graduated high school; 30.0 percent have only a high school degree; 24.6 percent have some college education; 11.3 percent have a bachelor's degree; 2.6 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

PAKISTANI: Population is 349,685; 15.0 percent live in poverty; 4.3 percent are unemployed; 14.6 percent haven't graduated high school; 14.5 percent have only a high school degree; 16.0 percent have some college education; 30.4 percent have a bachelor's degree; 24.5 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

THAI: Population is 219,943; 13.8 percent live in poverty; 4.3 percent are unemployed; 16.6 percent haven't graduated high school; 16.7 percent have only a high school degree; 24.2 percent have some college education; 25.6 percent have a bachelor's degree; 17.0 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

VIETNAMESE: Population is 1.73 million; 12.6 percent live in poverty; 3.8 percent are unemployed; 26.0 percent haven't graduated high school; 21.2 percent have only a high school degree; 23.4 percent have some college education; 20.0 percent have a bachelor's degree; 9.4 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

POLYNESIANS: Population is 610,684; 12.4 percent live in poverty; 4.8 percent are unemployed; 10.6 percent haven't graduated high school; 34.8 percent have only a high school degree; 37.6 percent have some college education; 11.5 percent have a bachelor's degree; 5.6 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS: Population is 437,590; 11.0 percent live in poverty; 4.6 percent are unemployed; 8.7 percent haven't graduated high school; 35.0 percent have only a high school degree; 38.0 percent have some college education; 12.2 percent have a bachelor's degree; 6.1 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

SAMOANS: Population is 126,194; 12.9 percent live in poverty; 4.8 percent are unemployed; 16.0 percent haven't graduated high school; 34.8 percent have only a high school degree; 37.8 percent have some college education; 7.2 percent have a bachelor's degree; 4.2 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

MICRONESIANS: Population is 149,525; 18.7 percent live in poverty; 5.9 percent are unemployed; 12.0 percent haven't graduated high school; 29.9 percent have only a high school degree; 43.0 percent have some college education; 11.2 percent have a bachelor's degree; 3.9 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

GUAMANIANS OR CHAMORROS: Population is 99,176; 13.0 percent live in poverty; 5.7 percent are unemployed; 10.6 percent haven't graduated high school; 29.8 percent have only a high school degree; 42.0 percent have some college education; 12.7 percent have a bachelor's degree; 4.9 percent have a graduate or professional degree.

SOURCES: 2008 American Community Survey http://factfinder.census.gov; Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html; Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html