Parasa Chanramy is from Beaverton, Oregon. Parasa has been an active participant in the Asian American Youth Leadership Conference since 2002. During her senior year at Aloha High School, she was awarded the AAYLC scholarship in 2006. In 2007, she represented her college’s Admissions office in the AAYLC College Fair 2007. This year, Parasa is delighted to help coordinate AAYLC College Fair 2008.

In the Portland community, Parasa has been a youth mentor and classical dancer for the Cambodian Dance Troupe of Oregon since 2000. Additionally, during her first year at L&C, she tutored English Language Learner students at Roosevelt High School. This civic engagement experience has inspired her to seek new avenues to influence education reform. Last summer, she interned in Representative David Wu’s (OR-1) office where she advocated for the College Cost Reduction Act and the Campaign for High School Equity.

Currently, Parasa is finishing her B.A. in International Affairs at Lewis and Clark College. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2010. Outside of class, she works as a student assistant in the Office of Multicultural Affairs where she helps program campus-wide events and mentor students. Chanramy is also a Campus Living Advisor in the Akin Multicultural Hall where she counsels students in adjusting to campus life. Throughout her time at L&C, she persistently works to ensure that all students, especially underrepresented students, (i.e. first-generation college students, students of color and LGBT students) access the resources they need to succeed at the College.

After graduation, she hopes to participate in either Teach for America or Peace Corps. When she is finished with one of these programs, Parasa will attend graduate school to pursue a study that supports her work in increasing multiculturalism and improving education.

Click here to view her AAYLC 2006 Scholarship Awards profile.