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Hoi Ai Huu Nguoi Viet Maryland MVMA Press Articles |
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Hoi Ai Huu Nguoi Viet Maryland MVMA Press Articles |
| ASIAN
FORTUNE July 1999
Vietnamese Students Affirm American Dream In Awards Ceremony |
| By
Van Nguyen
Lake Needwood Park, MD - The MVMA held its tenth Annual Awards Ceremony for outstanding Vietnamese students in Montgomery and Prince George counties. Well over one hundred and fifty people showed up in the heat to support the children, but in the process, the MVMA found universal encouragement for all immigrants students. The awards ceremony celebrates students from grades 1-12 with high academic and strong leadership qualities. Each public school nominates two students. A total of 83 students were honored. As each student received the MVMV recognition certificate and gift package, family members, teachers, and county officials applauded, smiled and whistled. According to the MVMA president Thomas Tran, the students deserved recognition because they seized the educational opportunities of this country. He said that minority students faced many temptation and obstacles. He added "At a time when there is so much violence in schools throughout the country, all parents are naturally concerned about their children. MVMA strives to ensure that each and every student take advantage of the American educational system. It is understandable that the parents (at the ceremony) are extremely proud of their children's academic achievements, especially those who arrived in the U.S. with little or no prior knowledge of the English language." And parents are indeed proud. Very much so. My Van Tran, whose first grade daughter Cuc received an award, said that he felt elated. He also said that any father would feel the same when their child gets praised for academic excellence. Parents were not the only ones who were happy. School officials were touched by the the message MVMA awards offered. Dr. Frank Critton, Principal of Critton High School, said, "I am delighted with today's ceremony. It's a red flag to all students and points to the American dream." One major highlight was Rockville High School Valedictorian My Le Nguyen's acceptance speech. Nguyen came to the U.S. in 1995, and studied her way to the top of her class. She recounted how the language barrier repeatedly frustrated her. She also emphasized how it gradually gave way through persistent studying, and how she looks forward to all the possibilities that await her. Nguyen typifies many high achieving, immigrant students. She was able to acclimate herself to the American environment, yet she is in touch with her ethnic roots. She speaks perfect Vietnamese, and retains many traditional values, like being mindful of the hardships her parents endured by immigrating their child to another country. Nguyen attributed part of her success to her parents. She said, "I'm very happy to receive the award. It not only shows that my hard work paid off, it's also a present to my parents for their dedication.". Shu-Ping Chan, Executive director for the Maryland Governor's Office on Asian Pacific American Affairs, said that students like Nguyen are an example to other Asian Pacific Americans. He added, "You can see their assimilation into the American community while maintaining their individual (ethnic) identity, and that's the important part." MVMA approves of maintaining an ethnic identity while living as an American. As a non-partisan, non-profit organization, it was founded in 1982, to help Vietnamese refugees who had resettled in Maryland. Thomas Tran mentioned some of the MVMA's top objectives. He said MVMA is committed to "promoting the active participation of Vietnamese Americans in social, education, and civic affairs, and fostering the cultural heritage of Vietnamese Americans." However, MVMA also helps people from countries other than Vietnam, Tran said, "We have served over 14,000 refugees and immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, India, Somalia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe." Nguyen stressed MVMA's significance when she said, "The MVMA award pushes them. It's a big honor. |