At the southern edge of the Central Valley shines a star that California can take pride in a young man who excels in various studies.
Every success of a child’s education or extra-curriculum involves active support of the parents, being the first teacher and nurture, as well as a community that cherishes that success.
Saw Evan Taw
Evan has been participated in various competitions at state level and national level representing his county and California.
Excellence in History
from a passion of learning to sharpening one’s skills with competitions
At 7th Grade, Evan represented California competing in National History Day (NHD).
NHD, a historical research and analysis competition, is a competition Evan Taw has been participating in for a while, and this year will be his sixth, with five of those making it to the state competition and one making to the national competition.
Competitions create opportunities to contest with people outstanding on their fields, hence it can make one humble as well as proud.
Not only does Evan Taw has a passion, but also does his great skills bring many awards home.
Music
in theory and practice
“As with many, music is also a hobby that I pursue. I am a multi-instrumentalist, playing instruments ranging from guitar, bass, and drums to piano and alto saxophone, having played my primary, piano, for ten years. I am currently the keyboardist for the local Karen Baptist Fellowship Praise and Worship Team.”
Occasionally, he may attends Music Teachers’ Association of California’s masterclasses and conventions; however, Evan is devout in his studies in music theory. Besides many other commitments, he spends his time arranging and producing music, from what he hopes to debut as an independent artist sometime in the future.
Piano – a competition at state level in California Capital
Evan improvised this piece and was selected to play at annual California Music Teachers Association.
National Anthem of The Karen People
Evan Taw presented history and about Karen People National Anthem at 2760 Karen New Celebration, 2021 January via Zoom. His analysis brought historical and theoretical aspects together to bridge a connection between lyric and musical notes itself, mirroring the nature of the Karen people.
A unique perspective: Evan’s presentation on a song that starts with A♭but ends in D♭, that begins with a cry to her people, “Ya pworr ker lu yae err! (Oh my people!)”.
Musical Pedigree
The Karen National Anthem, the living oldest national anthem among all nationalities in Burma, was poetically composed by Thara San Ba, a great-grandfather of Evan Taw. From the poem that evokes the beauties in the traditions of Karen people, Thara Tha Aye Gyi wrote the melody that becomes an organic creation of a national heritage for the Karen Nation.
Musical Pedigree of the Karen People
A love of music is an inherited characteristics of Karen people, for they are descendants of ancient poets, who surrounded their lives with musical rhymes (Htaa) in every occasion and everyday life.
Still today, carrying this beautiful trait of music at certain occasions, at a decease house, many Karen people faithfully sing, instead of crying and weeping to mourn. It is a custom of ages where Karen people comforted family members by humming and reciting riddles and rhymes for the whole night. The world has changed but the traits remain.
The world is to see more world-class musicians among new generations who excel a strong tradition of their forebears.
Science, for humanity
Evan has been participating in county Science Fair since he was 4th grade and won first place for four years straight. In his junior high, he was chosen to go to State Level.
Military – the inspiration and trainings
Meeting and talking to David Eubank kindled Evan’s interest in joining military.
“Within the Civil Air Patrol, a military-focused organization similar to that of ROTC, I am a Cadet Chief Master Sergeant and hold the position of squadron first sergeant. I am also active within the squadron colorguard and am the Cadet Advisory Council squadron representative for the current term, on top of having served at many California Wing-wide events. After attending various academies to better myself as a cadet, I oftentimes return as cadre/staff in order to serve fellow cadets, having been put in position from logistics Non-commissioned officer (NCO) to having been selected to be a flight sergeant for the annual encampment, a week-long high intensity event structured around the concept of military basic training.”
Evan Taw
California Karen Youth Forum
A community of learning and growing, together.
CKYF recognized Evan Taw with an award and celebrated his many achievements representing Californians among Karen race.
Evan Taw’s Message for His Fellows
“I understand that for many that this schedule may appear stressful, however I encourage K’nyaw people to try and be diligent in their studies and be involved in their communities in order to further amplify K’nyaw voices.
I personally feel the struggles myself, being humanities-minded in such a STEM-oriented world. Despite that, remain steadfast. Do not let the fire in your soul die out, for we are but few. Carry the torch that your ancestors have passed onto you.
Look at the world and reach out for it, hold it in the palm of your hand, and know that it is yours. For it is not by anyone else’s means that you will better yourself.
No matter where we are in the world, we K’nyaw people are a minority, and though the odds my be stacked against us, turn over those heavy weights to the other side and use the power of your will to achieve yourself.
Though we may not have obligations by blood, we have moral obligations as a people. For though one day we will all die and turn to dust, our actions will affect generations to come. Though we may not reap what we sow, someone else may. And in all of this, the spirit of our predecessors shines in us.”
Multiplicity of talents this young man wears today are not purely endowments but quality of choices that involves a lot of hard work and dedication and, above all, a passion for learning.
There are many other activities and programs Evan involves outside of school that makes him a supreme in time-management. He dedicates his youthful energy to learning and for the betterment of himself, the society, and of the humanity.
He is a member of the Centennial High School Speech and Debate Club and plan to compete in forensics competitions. He also plans to join the Centennial wrestling team this winter. He is now fifteen year old and a sophomore attending Centennial High School in Bakersfield (2021 September).
Learning to wear a sarong while visiting Irrawaddy Delta, the birthplace of all of his forefathers.
Be Inspirational. Be a Voice.
Evan received California’s Championship award on this project (Power of Words) and got to compete in Maryland for national level and got into the finalists.
External Link: Power of Words: Robert F. Kennedy’s Speech that Prevented A Tragedy
Related Links:
Karen People in California 