Program Overview
This year, we are taking the High School program back to its roots. Our theme for this year is “Origins” so we’ve asked ourselves: As a program, what is at the core of our program? Our campers. We have refined the High School program to have it address what truly matters to you. When all is said and done, we want you to come away from the weekend having one of the best timesof your life, finding new friends, loving your identity, and gaining a community that you candepend on. What is “Origins”? Origins are important because they often are a large part of defining who we are- they are another way of characterizing ourselves. We plan to explore to what degree theyaffect our growth and how it affects each of us as individuals as well as communities. Who are we, where did we start, and perhaps most importantly… where are we going? Many of these questions there is no clear answer for. While we might not have any clear answer for these questions, we know that we can find it by considering the experiences we share together.
John Chen and Thomas Yu High School Program Directors
Schedule
More to come soon. We promise!
Staff
John Chen
High School Program Director
Occupation: Office Manager Interests: Society, People, Ideas Favorite TANG memories: …I got it! I got it! …Uh-oh… That’s a fence. =( Bio: John graduated from St. John’s University in New York majoring in English. He also served on the National Board of ITASA and devotes time to other similar programs. John spends most of his time playing too many games and keeping himself from doing work.
Jenn Kao
High School Program Director
Occupation: Student Interests: anything music, art, environmental stuff, biking, reading, and the show Psych Favorite TANG memories: 3 day all-nighters, late-night conversations about philosophy, riddles, seeing how people grow from year to year Bio: Jenn is currently a student at Northwestern University studying Psychology and Environmental Policy and Culture. In her free time, she enjoys singing with her a cappella group, the Treblemakers; solving nonograms (lame, I know); watching The Colbert Report; wishing for more free time; and eating chocolate. She also has recently discovered the joys of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Yanisha “Yaniko” Brown
High School Program Counselor
Occupation: Policymaker Interests: International Relations, Culture, Music, Chuck Taylors Favorite TANG memories: HS was late because of ME last year and we all had to butt write in front of the rest of the group. It was a first for me and I kinda liked it..not sure about everyone else Bio: A native Arkansan, Yanisha received her dual Masters degree 2010 from Seton Hall in New Jersey. After graduation, she made her pilgrimage to the political Mecca known as Washington D.C. to pursue her career. She admires the resilience of the Taiwanese American community and is excited about the opportunity to serve.
Megan Kao
High School Program Counselor
Occupation: Student Interests: Snowboarding, Gaming, Dancing, Ultimate Frisbee, Art Favorite TANG memories: Watching campers work their way through problem solving activities Bio: Currently a student at the University of Michigan college of engineering, Megan has been a member of TANG staff for two years, and a camper for many before that. She hopes that at a member of TANG staff, she can give back what has been given her during the time she spent as a camper: a comfortable environment in which to meet new friends, and keep old ones, a place to discuss ideas and concepts, and a sense of identity. One of her favorite games? Minesweeper – it never gets old.
Andy Shen
High School Program Counselor
Occupation: Business Development Interests: Travelling, Basketball, Snowboarding, Music, Movies, and Tasty Foods. Favorite TANG memories: Water Balloon Fights, Tank and Driver, Talent Show, Semi-Formal Dance. Bio: Andy Shen graduated from Rutgers University in 2008 with a Bachelors in Engineering. He currently works in the healthcare industry and on his free time is heavily involved in serving his community. He was born in Taiwan and has been interested in assisting his fellow Taiwanese American peers to be passionate leaders of tomorrow–making a positive impact in our society.
Serena Wang
High School Program Counselor
Occupation: Production Editor Interests: Cooking, eating, zombies, cute things, comedy… and of course good movies and great books. Favorite TANG memories: Great chats with my small group and really making people talk (ahem). Bio: Serena graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and now works in book publishing in New York city. Originally born in Taiwan, Serena’s parents decided to move to the U.S. when she was young. Her connection and love for the Taiwanese culture has since motivated her to become involved in the Taiwanese-American community.
Mike Wu
High School Program Counselor
Occupation: Student at Rutgers University, pursuing Dietetics Interests: Guitar, Tennis, Bowling, Cooking, Singing, Dancing, Frisbee, Music, Piano Favorite TANG memories: Tank and Driver Bio: Mike is currently a student at Rutgers studying nutrition. He has been at TANG since 2003 and has been a juniors and junior high counselor. He has gone back to Taiwan every couple of years and loves the culture there. He has worked with the aboriginal tribes and the local churches to provide a summer program for the kids at Taiwan. He loves kids since he is one at heart. He enjoys new experiences, meeting new people, and having deep heart to heart conversations with people.
Notable Staff
Margaret Yu
Program Director
Occupation: Tax Consultant Interests: Fitness, eating yummy healthy foods, and my Iphone Favorite TANG memories: TANG Night, massive water balloon fights, sleepless nights, safe space Bio: Hi everyone! I’m currently finishing up my last semester at Rutgers University, and I will begin work at Deloitte in the fall. TANG has been a part of my life for many years now, and I enjoy every minute of it. I love Taiwanese culture… especially the delicious foods and bubble tea! I also obsessively listen to house, trance, and techno music.
