Alumni Stories
Since 1963, the Ye Wah and the Mandarins organization has offered young men and women a rewarding activity combining the Performing Arts with discipline, pride, good citizenship and sportsmanship, Asian traditions, and other important values. Adding friendships, travel, common goals, and more makes the “Mandarins Experience” a unique one, unlike any other youth program.
We hope this has helped our Alumni throughout their teenage, young adult, and adult years. Indeed, many have become doctors, teachers, dentists, lawyers, engineers, and parents, among other successful careers. But what has the “Mandarins Experience” meant to them, and what have they gained through it? Select the names below, for stories. We sincerely thank Alumni Members who have graciously allowed us to share their thoughts with you.
Mandarins Alumni Association - Decades Challenge During the Big Day of Giving
New for this year’s Big Day of Giving (BDoG) – an alumni Decades Challenge! When you donate on the BDoG website, make sure you include what decade or multiple decades you were involved with the Mandarins – whether as a performer, on the design staff or instructional staff, as a volunteer, or in any other capacity. Throughout the day of BDoG, results will be tallied and shared to show which decade is leading. By the end of the day, we will have almost 60 years of Mandarins representing us for the Big Day of Giving! You can have a say in which decade will win the Decades Challenge!
Leading up to the BDoG, testimonials from alumni, including their decade, will be shared to encourage and challenge others to participate in the Decades Challenge. Here is one testimonial (Gregory Mar) to kick this off. If you would like to submit your own testimonial, follow this link to submit for a chance to be featured on the Big Day of Giving:
https://forms.gle/sRg7V4WmMWoqcrNJ6
Mandarins Diamond Anniversary
The MAA will host the Mandarins Diamond Anniversary, celebrating 60 years of Transforming Lives Through Performing Arts, and raising funds for the Mandarins organization. Mandarins alumni will have the opportunity to connect with current Mandarins members by staffing the event: The Present, Helping the Past to Help the Future. More information will be announced soon.
More than a year after COVID-19 suspended the drum corps season, what better way to celebrate the return of Mandarins corps members, than with a Family Day feast? Appreciative members and staff raved about the meal which featured fried rice, chow mein, grilled teriyaki chicken, stir-fried veggies, lumpia, vegetarian dishes, homemade cookies, and a selection of cakes from our Master Baker, William Lubina.
Now in its 6th year, this tradition is another opportunity to connect current corps members with alumni members, some of who marched in the Ye Wah corps over 58 years ago.
After dinner, alumni, families, and fans were treated to a preview of the corps’ production, Beyond the Canvas.
Thank you to the 2021 Alumni dinner hosts Adam Grant, Bruce Reyes-Chow, Dan Fong, Robert Lew, EJ Seguinte, Cory Chew, Kody Tickner, Kevin Bowlson, Mike & Nanci Jan, Holly Ong, Kathleen Bakergumprecht, Daniel Fong, Jim & Jo Ann Tabuchi, Marilyn Chin, Doreen Yee, Scott Jow, Karen Wu, Steve Wong, Chris Thorntona, William Lubina, and Dale Terry.
Mandarins Alums Serve Up Dinner
Once again, Mama Jeannie organized her kitchen crew to help cook and serve dinner at the Mandarins’ Family Day on June 13, 2015.
Thanks to Jeannie, Karen, Linda, Terri, Marilyn, Joyce, Scott, Chris, and Steve for continuing the tradition.
Mandarins Kitchen Crew Manager Cathy Sackett said , “We sooo look forward to having the Alumni group come and cook for us. You really blessed our kiddoes.” And her assistant, Jo Ann Tabuchi said, “We are so grateful for the alumni’s loving support! Thank you so much for the delicious dinner!”
DCI Tour Kitchen Crew
Several decades after they marched in the Ye Wah Color Guard, Jennie and Joyce returned to the Mandarins as Kitchen Crew members for the 2014 DCI Summer Tour.
Word has it that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and the hard work didn’t slow them down at all!
Booster Club and kitchen crew manager Cathy Sackett said it was a blast having Jennie and Joyce on her team.
Alumni, here’s your chance to give back to the corps by volunteering for kitchen crew duties. Inquire here for more information.
DCI Capital Classic
Did you know that the Mandarins’ annual DCI Capital Classic is one of the finest drum and bugle corps shows in Northern California?
That’s right — the stadium is always filled to capacity with a crowd eager to watch corps performances while enjoying delicious Chinese food from our concession stand.
Calling all alumni members — we can always use your help with parking control, cooking, ushering, tickets, and more.
Email us, to let us know how you can help.
Mandarins Family Day
The Mandarins hosts their annual Family Day, happening at the end of their June Training Camp.
It’s an opportunity for alumni, friends, and supporters to watch the public debut of the corps’ field production each year. Corps Members work extremely hard during Training Camp and this year, Alumni Members gave back by cooking and serving dinner for the appreciative kids.
Thanks to Steve, Elliott, Joyce, Karen, Jennie, Doug, and Scott for giving the regular Mandarins Kitchen Crew a break from preparing one of more than 4,200 meals served during Training Camp.
We hope to see other alumni join us next year.
50th Anniversary Celebration
We celebrated our Golden Anniversary on September 21, 2013, with over 360 alumni corps members, instructors, and family.
The Planning Committee did a great job with location, souvenirs, entertainment, and more.
Many thanks to Marilyn Chin, Roxie Tom, Diana Gin, Jim Tabuchi, Steve Wong, Alan Chinn. Karen Wu, Scott Jow, Jillene Sturgess-DaPrato, Kim Wong, Chris Thorntona, Jennie Fong, and Lonnie Wong for a magical evening.
