Honoring 11 Years of Impact: BranchOut! Celebrated at the National UCA Convention

On June 30th, BranchOut! was deeply honored to receive the Outstanding Community Organization Award at the National United Chinese American (UCA) Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. This milestone recognition reflects the incredible dedication of our mentors, student leaders, advisors, community partners, and supporters who have helped shape BranchOut! over the past 11 years.

The National UCA Convention brought together more than 1,000 attendees representing youth and community organizations from across the country. Throughout the weekend, participants attended leadership workshops, heard from keynote speakers, and networked to share the impact they are making in their respective communities.

BranchOut! was proudly represented at the event by National Student Board Leaders Clara Luo and Mabelle Liu, who both serve as leaders of our Howard County Chapter (MD).

Double Honors for BranchOut!

In addition to BranchOut!'s organizational recognition, our Co-Founder and Chair of the Board, Dr. Yuhsien Wu, was honored with the Outstanding Community Service Award for her longstanding dedication to youth empowerment and civic engagement. This distinction highlights Dr. Wu's incredible vision and further emphasizes the core values of leadership and mentorship that continue to guide our growth. At the convention, Clara and Mabelle presented BranchOut!’s mission and programs, connecting with passionate youth from other national organizations.

Reflected Inspiration: Insights from Our Student Leaders

Following the convention, Clara and Mabelle reflected on what they learned from collaborating with other youth advocates:

Clara Luo:

“Hearing and learning from numerous youth organizations across the nation inspired me to collaborate, explore new ways to serve our communities, and continually improve our BranchOut! programs. Although each organization has its own unique mission, we are all working toward the shared goal of creating meaningful change. By learning from one another and working together, we can increase our collective impact and better serve our communities!”

Mabelle Liu:

“The National UCA Convention has left me feeling motivated and hopeful. The willingness of every organization to share its experiences and learn from one another has reminded me that true leadership is built on curiosity, proactivity, teamwork, and a strong commitment to improvement and growth. I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent BranchOut!, and I look forward to using these new perspectives to strengthen our programs and help our communities thrive.”

Looking Ahead to the Next Decade

Receiving both the Outstanding Community Organization Award and the Outstanding Community Service Award serves as a powerful reminder that BranchOut!’s impact is only possible because of our community.

More than a decade ago, BranchOut! started with a simple belief: that young people can bridge the achievement and cultural gaps that persist in our educational system. Today, our 1,000+ alumni and current members have turned this vision into real-world impact—contributing over 30,000 hours of service to local communities as our chapters grow faster than ever.

As BranchOut! continues to expand nationwide, we remain dedicated to empowering our next generation of leaders to step forward, serve with purpose, and inspire positive change. We are incredibly grateful for this recognition from UCA, and we are even more excited about what comes next!