May 20, 2013 - STUDENT AWARDS

 Olivia Ardizzone, Bethany Gaffey, Yinjie Qian

Olivia Ardizzone, Bethany Gaffey, David Pena

Co-President, David Pena presented the SE-Florida Chapter's Scholarship/Achievement Awards to this year's outstanding students in the graduating class of Yinjie Qian's Chinese Language Studies at the Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, Florida.  This program has been providing small grants to students who have achieved exceptional skills and show an interest in the Chinese Culture and language.  Congratulations go to Olivia Ardizzone and Bethany Gaffey for this achievement and we wish them luck in their further pursuits following graduation.  Both students expect to continue with their studies of the Chinese culture.

Yinjie thanked David for his time and his encouraging words to the students.  The students were very happy to have received the scholarships and the certificates.  Yinjie also thanked the SE-Florida USCPFA Board for their support and she told us that she will keep us informed of their future learning, careers and accomplishments.

May 1, 2013 APEX LUNCHEON MEETING

Joan Gates and Marge Ketter were invited to participate in the celebration of Asian Heritage Month on May 1, by member Ping Wang who is president of the Asian Professionals in Energy Exchanges, APEX, a networking group of Asians and others at NextEra Energy, Inc/Florida Power & Light.  Ping is employed by NextEra, Joan by FP&L, and became acquainted thru their workplace.    Marge was invited to talk about the USCPFA, how and why it was organized and about local activities, as well as her interest in China.  In addition the group was welcomed by the NextEra Energy, Inc. VP & CIO, Lakshman Charanjiva, who is the APEX Executive Sponsor.  Mr. Bill Brannen, Sr Director of Construction and Project Engineering, for NextEra, discussed the company’s sourcing and procurement in Asia.  The meeting was attended by about 25 and was held at company headquarters in Juno Beach.

April 20, 2013 - OFFICERS ELECTED FOR 2-YEAR TERM

The following people have been elected by the SOUTHEAST FLORIDA chapter of USCPFA as officers for the next 2-year term at our annual chapter meeting that was held on April 20th at the Singing Bamboo Restaurant.

CHAPTER OFFICERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• David Pena and Marge Ketter, Co Presidents
• Dolores Panaro, Secretary-Treasurer
• Marty Penn, Vice President-Business
• Christine Aylward, Vice President-Art & Culture
• Monica Shang, Vice President-Chinese Community Liaison
• Joan Gates, Vice President-Communications.

2013 - JANUARY 22ND CHINESE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE

China National Symphony Orchestra performed on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 8:00 PM at the Kravis Center, West Palm Beach

Tsai Lien - Cultural Consul from the Houston Consulate-General People's Republic of China meets Marge before the performance.

Nov 20, 2012 - Dan O'Connell presentation at Dwyer High School

USCPFA member Dan O'Connell attended one of Chen Arthur's Chinese Classes at Wm. T. Dwyer High School in Jupiter, Florida on November 20, 2012 and gave a presentation to the class.

The students are all American students that attend to learn Chinese.  They feel that learning the Chinese language and culture will help them in their future to become more knowledgeable in the global business world.  Most only know a little about the Chinese culture from the past 30 - 40 years.  China is rapidly changing and Dan offered some insights into his experiences about China and his understandings of the Chinese culture.  

May 5, 2012 - TOUR OF CHINESE COLLECTION AT NORTON MUSEUM

Norton Museum China Exhibit Tour

Southeast Florida Chapter's Vice President of Art and Cultural, Christine Aylward made arrangements with Laurie Barnes, Elizabeth B McGraw Curator of the Chinese collection at the Norton Museum to offer a special tour of the Chinese collection where Laurie exhibited her extensive knowledge of Chinese Artifacts and history.  Several members of the chapter, along with their guests attended to enjoy a boxed lunch followed by a private tour of the Norton Museum Chinese Collection.  The collection is quite extensive and impressive.  Please take a virtual tour by clicking on the picture above. This will take you to a list of pictures - there is a button on the upper left corner that says "slideshow" that you can click on to see larger versions of each picture.