MHG Charitable Foundation Awards 100 Scholarships

Jul 29

Inaugural Ceremony Honors Southern California High School Scholars and Launches Mentorship Program to Empower Local Youth

ANAHEIM, Calif., July 29, 2025 – Newly established MHG Charitable Foundation, funded by Manhattan Hotel Group, hosted its inaugural Compassion Scholarship Award Ceremony and Luncheon on July 26 at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Anaheim Resort. The event brought together over 300 attendees to celebrate 100 high school students, each awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500. Recipients were selected from more than 950 applicants from Southern California and overcame economic or medical challenges to attend school. Many students support families who live at or below the poverty line.

To uplift students, global legacy platform Asian Hall of Fame awarded two high school seniors a Golden Ticket. The boost includes a $1,000 scholarship, Samsung laptop with Microsoft Office and printer, and “Back to Work” St. John suit and new shoes, salon makeover and supplies, and mentors within the prestigious Asian Hall of Fame network.

Founded by Kitty Lo, Chair of the Manhattan Hotel Group, the scholarships recognized exceptional high school students for their promise, character, and academic accomplishments. In addition to the scholarships, the Foundation announced the launch of a long-term mentorship program aimed at supporting youth development and fostering cross-cultural connections.

“After the pandemic, I saw many young people struggling with the shocks and challenges of society, and I wanted to provide them with more guidance and encouragement,” Lo said. “I don’t want to see a world where the next generation inherits poverty of the past. That’s why I chose to act now, to pave a broader and more meaningful path for their future.”

The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Wen-Hwa Lee, an American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow and co-founder of GeneTex. Speaking on the theme “How to Better Yourself,” Lee reflected on decades of experience as an educator, researcher, and entrepreneur, sharing personal stories of students who overcame obstacles through perseverance and mentorship. He encouraged scholarship recipients to value self-discipline, health, and gratitude — and to embrace lifelong self-improvement as a foundation for success.

“Don’t strive to be better than others — strive to be better than who you were yesterday,” Lee said.

Congresswoman Judy Chu offered words of encouragement to the scholars and their families. Sharing her journey from student to the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress, she urged students to pursue their dreams and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Lo for transforming lives through compassion and community support.

“I have to say that even though I’m a member of Congress today, if it hadn’t been for the experiences I had along the way, I would never have been in this position,” Chu said. “I highly encourage you to explore and follow your dreams. Experience everything you possibly can — you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to do.”

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma delivered video remarks, congratulating Lo and the Manhattan Hotel Group. Other distinguished guests—including San Gabriel City Councilmember John Wu, Irvine City Councilmember Melinda Liu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Amino C.Y. Chi, and Orange County philanthropist Charlie Zhang - also attended in recognition of the Foundation’s impactful work.

“This scholarship is more than just financial assistance — it is a testament to your potential and a reminder to keep dreaming, keep learning and never stop growing,” Chi said. Liu echoed the sentiment, adding, “Don’t close that door behind you. Look back and lift up others, just like Kitty did—with humility and generosity.”

The ceremony also featured roundtable discussions and a networking luncheon, providing students, educators, professionals, and civic leaders with valuable opportunities to connect and collaborate. The MHG Foundation’s ongoing initiatives aim to promote public diplomacy through education and community engagement.

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Established in 2004, Asian Hall of Fame is a cultural, educational, and research institution dedicated to advancing Asian and Indigenous legacy in the United States and globally.

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