History
South Pasadena Chinese-American Club was founded in 1989 as the result of a group of teachers who threatened to go on strike in our school district. Since education is an important issue among Chinese American families, parents were concerned about the possible strike, and felt that they must voice their opinions with the School District. But instead of voicing as disparate individuals, the Chinese-American families realized the greater impact they would have by forming as a single group - those families led to the creation of the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club.
At the very beginning of SPCC there were only 3 people who met together regularly - Machon Kao, Karl Hwang and Paul Zee; they got more parents involved, and drafted the organizational chart and bylaws and formed the various committees etc. The most wonderful outcome was not only the birth of SPCC, it was the long term friendships among us. Till this day, the bond within the group remains strong.
Paul Zee was elected the First Founding President served from 1989 to 1991, followed by Karl Hwang. Unfortunately Karl passed away during his term, thus The Karl Hwang scholarship was formed in memory of him. The Karl Hwang Scholarship awards continue to present day and many of our high school graduates have benefitted from it.
SPCC has accomplished a lot in the past 20 years. Education, Community Services and Promotion of Chinese culture have always been the cornerstone of our mission.
