Kyung-Uhn Scholarship Association (a section 501(c)(3) tax- exempt non-profit organization ) was founded in 2010 by the alumnae of Kyung-Gi Girls High School (KGHS) in the tri-state area to promote greater understanding of Korean history, culture, and people for young students so they may become valuable contributing members of today’s multicultural society.
Kyung-Gi Girls High School (KGHS) is one of the most prestigious elite high schools in South Korea, with over 100-year history. Hanseong High School for Girls - today’s KGHS - was founded in Seoul on April 2, 1908 by the decree of King Soonjeong of Joseun Dynasty. At that time, this was an epic victory for Korean women who had long suffered discrimination under Joseon Dynasty’s traditionally conservative patriarchal culture. KGHS students were among the nation’s most academically rigorous students, students chosen by
national examination. Admittance to KGHS was considered an honor and a graduate of KGHS was a symbol of pride. The alums are taking leadership role in various areas in Korea as well as in the US.There are about 650 alumnae residing in the tri-state region, actively engaged in various fields such as education, politics, economics, finance, music, art, medicine, and other health-related fields.
The first speech contest was held on March 19, 2011 at the Korea Society in New York, hosted and sponsored by Kyunggi Girls High School Alumnae Association of Greater New York with the support of the Korea Society (NY). Since then the annual speech contest has been moved to Korean Community Center in Tenafly, NJ.
It is our sincere hope that we can pass on our time-honored tradition of ‘excellence’ and ‘leadership’ of KGHS to the next generation.
