IMAGE Magazine

The OCA National Intern Alumni Issue

The 2025 issue of IMAGE Magazine celebrates 35 years of youth empowerment.

Dive In

  • This year’s magazine was illustrated by Cindy Nguyen. Read about her inspiration for the cover here.

  • Read OCA’s National President, Sharon M. Wong, and Executive Director, Thu Nguyen, welcome message here.

  • Read the 2025 IMAGE Magazine introduction from Kent Tong, this year’s zine’s executive editor, here.

As we celebrate 35 years of youth empowerment, explore stories and reflections from those who were part of the OCA National Center internship program between 1989 and 2024.

Where are they now?

“I believe my activism early in life helped make me willing to fight for people who are usually excluded from places of power and privilege.”

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Julie Su

Profiles

In Focus

Featured
Dear Future Interns
Dear Future Interns

Our OCA intern alumni were asked, “What advice would you give to future OCA interns?” Here’s what they said.

Intern Alumni Recommendations
Intern Alumni Recommendations

We asked OCA intern alumni: What are your favorite Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander artists, authors, and works of art?

Arts

Featured
A Love Letter to Hawai‘i
A Love Letter to Hawai‘i

“For over 70 years, Pōhakuloa on the Big Island of Hawai‘i has been used as a U.S. military training ground. But since 1964, the military has failed to clean up ordinances and waste — including nuclear waste — which is a violation of their lease.”

By Mahina Martinson

Louise doesn’t mean to anglicize my name but 
Louise doesn’t mean to anglicize my name but 

“she does it anyway because her tongue doesn’t / bend the right way.”

By Josephine Wu

A Walk in Beijing
A Walk in Beijing

A digital illustration inspired by the bright fashion Madison Xiao saw in the streets of Beijing.

By Madison “Max” Xiao

Phoenix’s Return
Phoenix’s Return

“In Chinese mythology the Phoenix will land in times of peace or where something precious can be found.”

By Emma Shainwald

49
49

When an individual dies, it takes them 49 days to be reborn.

By Kevin Phan

Come from a Place of Wonder
Come from a Place of Wonder

2019 intern Alexander Le reflects on a transformative internship experience, where he documented his summer in Washington, D.C. through photography.

First Person

Featured
Taking Flight and Finding Identity
Taking Flight and Finding Identity

An OCA intern alumna defies parental expectations to forge her own way. Excerpted from the memoir Phoenix Girl: How a Fat Asian with Bipolar Found Love.

By Michelle Yang

Redefining Security
Redefining Security

A transracial adoptee reflects on navigating her Asian American identity.

By Kayli Rego

Recipes

Featured
The Lincoln Experience
The Lincoln Experience

In November 2023, I pursued what I'd call a really fricken big passion project. I named it The Lincoln Experience; a five course prix-fixe dinner experience in the heart of my living room.

By Lincoln Le

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