Seeds of Compassion
By Lorenzo Dela Rama
Compassion Scholarship Award Ceremony 2025
ANAHEIM, Calif. – On a warm July afternoon, more than 300 people—including students, community leaders, mentors, and distinguished guests—gathered for the inaugural Compassion Scholarship Award Ceremony at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Anaheim Resort. The event was hosted by the MHG Charitable Foundation, a new philanthropic initiative led by Manhattan Hotel Group’s founder, Kitty Lo. Asian Hall of Fame, dedicated to amplifying Asian contributions across diverse fields and bridging cultural understanding, found in MHG Charitable Foundation a partner whose core values resonated with its own mission of empowerment and representation.
At the award presentation, Asian Hall of Fame Board Member Charles Zhang expressed his admiration for the initiative. “I’m so honored and glad to be here and join this great program," he said. “Kitty Lo established this organization out of care and love for the next generation. Congratulations to everyone who is part of this wonderful ceremony.”
Beyond providing financial aid to students in grades 8 to 12, the event made a powerful statement about possibility, resilience, and the boundless potential in every child, regardless of circumstances.
Congresswoman Judy Chu with MHG Founder Kitty Lo
"I built this group from the ground up," Kitty Lo said. "After the pandemic, many high school students struggled with societal challenges. I wanted to provide them with more guidance and mentorship. We invite professionals to mentor students every three months. It’s my hope that more people join us to create California’s largest mentorship hub, completely free for students."
“It’s my hope that more people join us to create California’s largest mentorship hub, completely free for students.””
Asian Hall of Fame’s dynamic CEO, Maki Hsieh, connected immediately with Lo on a shared mission of community impact through scholarships. "Kitty has a real heart for leveraging her expertise and our executive vision to directly impact the community," Hsieh explained. "So many students are fighting not just poverty but mental wellness issues and the rising cost of education. Asian Hall of Fame decided to award a special Golden Ticket—a $1,000 scholarship, a new Samsung Galaxy Pro laptop, and a paid internship—to a high school senior chosen by the foundation."
At the heart of the celebration were stories of students overcoming economic hardship, medical challenges, and systemic barriers. Congresswoman Judy Chu, herself a pioneering figure as the first Chinese American woman in Congress, captured the importance of pursuing dreams against all odds: "I certainly never thought I would be an elected official, let alone a congressmember," Chu said. "If it hadn’t been for the experiences I embraced along my journey, I wouldn’t be standing here. I encourage you to chase every opportunity. You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to."
“I encourage you to chase every opportunity. You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.”
Asian Hall of Fame CEO Maki Hsieh with Congresswoman Judy Chu
Renowned scientist and keynote speaker Dr. Wen-Hwa Lee distilled a lifetime of learning and teaching into a powerful message: "Don’t strive to be better than others—strive to be better than who you were yesterday." His insights underscored the foundation’s core philosophy: continuous self-improvement, mentorship and nurturing leaders who will, in turn, uplift others.
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma extended her commendations via video. "I congratulate Kitty Lo for her accomplishments and leadership in establishing the MHG Charitable Foundation, enabling more students to grow, learn, and become better citizens.” Ma, a trailblazer as California's first woman and person of color to hold the position, lauded the importance of such initiatives in strengthening California’s community fabric and global economic standing.
Keynote speaker Dr. Wen-Hwa Lee
Scholarship recipient Harmony Yan-Li spoke about discovering new financial knowledge and career possibilities through the mentorship program. "I believe this will push all MHG scholarship recipients to grow, emotionally and professionally," Yan-Li said.
Lo’s commitment to community extends beyond scholarships. Congresswoman Chu highlighted Lo’s compassionate response to the devastating Eaton Fire in January 2025, wherein Lo provided displaced families with hotel rooms, warm meals, and essential support. "Many of my constituents fled with only the clothes on their backs," Chu emphasized. "Kitty stepped up—her charity is a powerful example for us all."
As conversations filled the ballroom, the sense of solidarity took shape in the form of a lasting network of kindness, mentorship, and opportunity. For Kitty Lo and Maki Hsieh, this event was a definitive step toward their vision of an empowered, compassionate future—one student at a time.
More information at https://mhgcharitablefoundation.org/
