Penn’s Asian American Studies Program (ASAM) has announced the winners of the 2021 Dr. Rosane Rocher Prize in Best Undergraduate Essay in Asian American Studies.

This year the prize goes to Amanda Oh for her essay “Auntie’s First Days” and Lydia Ko for her essay “Weak Lungs but a Strong Heart.”

Amanda Oh is a sophomore from Los Angeles, CA. She is in the College of Arts and Sciences studying urban studies, with particular interests in criminal justice and migration.

Lydia Ko is a junior from Los Angeles, CA studying design and cognitive science in the College of Arts and Sciences. She hopes to pursue a career working in animation once she graduates, and use visual storytelling to continue to share the journeys and experiences of members within Asian communities.