Theme: Where Stars Land

Stars seemingly fall every so often through the duration of night––a sight so common, yet so rare. Like these stars, opportunities and new ideas may often seemingly fall into our hands through the duration of life.

Our theme “Where Stars Land” depicts people with extraordinary tales of how the power of opportunity intersects with new ideas to inspire greater change. Follow the story of Sorah Yang and her path to stardom, learn about Christine Gentry and her creative use of storytelling, and listen to Ray Wipfli as he shares about his work in Uganda––each one sharing about what opportunity can bring and the courage it will take to grasp them…

So, where do these “stars” land?

Right here.

Temple City High School
9501 Lemon Avenue, Temple City, CA
Temple City, California, 91780
United States

Christine Gentry

Teacher and Storyteller

Christine Gentry is a Visiting Assistant Professor and Residency Director in the NYU Steinhardt Teacher Residency program. Christine’s research explores the intersection of identity development and community in the urban public school classroom and has been featured in English Journal and The English Record. Prior to her current role, Christine directed the Urban Teaching Fellowship, a teacher residency program in Boston. She currently co-chairs the Los Angeles chapters of First-Generation Harvard Alumni and Harvard Alumni for Education. Before her work in teacher preparation, Christine taught English, creative writing, and oral storytelling in the public schools of Boston and New York City for twelve years.

Ray Wipfli

Student

After visiting rural Uganda in 2014, Ray Wipfli has launched a campaign to fund community-based soccer camps for the Ugandan youth living in poverty. The current high school sophomore has since raised over $200,000 and hosted four annual Youth Soccer and Health camps. His foundation, Ray United FC, has provided over 4,000 Ugandan youth with soccer training, public health education, healthy meals, and clean water. This non-profit organization also leads Youth Vision Trips to Uganda for American high school students, supports school clubs in both Uganda and the US, and provides support for 12 Ugandan students’ tuitions. Ray was a Sports Illustrated Kids 2018 SportsKid of the Year finalist, 2017 Gloria Barron Prize winner, and recognized as a Youth Service American Everyday Hero.

Sorah Yang

Dancer and Choreographer

Sorah Yang is an international dancer and choreographer. She has traveled to over 25 countries around the world and has taught master classes at over 30 universities as well as countless studios across the nation to share her craft. She graduated from USC in 2013 with a B.S. in Business Administration and aside from dancing has entrepreneurial endeavors, including launching her own merchandise business and creating seminars for college students interested in exploring dance as a career.