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2011 Scholarship Recipients |
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Named Scholarship RecipientsNamed Scholarships are a very special category of awards given in memory of, in honor of, or in tribute to individuals, groups or events. They are established with a minimum contribution of $20,000 and provide an annual $2,000 scholarship award. There are currently 11 Named Scholarship Funds
Ngoc is a Vietnamese American attending Interlake High School as an International Bachelorette student with a 3.71 GPA. She plans to study molecular biology and attend graduate school. Ngo is active in the National Honor Society, JV and Varsity badminton team, FLEURS (Interlake’s community service club), and founder of the origami club. Outside of school she tutors Spanish, is a librarian assistant, mentor with VIBES (Volunteer in the Bellevue Educational System), and tutors at a local middle school in all subjects. Ngoc strongly believes in giving back to the community through her position as a mentor with the VIBES. She received assistance with her English when she was a recent immigrant in elementary school. “My experiences in having and being a mentor made me realize there will always be struggling students somewhere needing encouragement to reach their fullest potential.” She has a sincere belief in giving back to the community because of the help she received when she needed it.
Lynsie is a Vietnamese American attending Garfield High School with a BPA of 3.9. She plans to study political science. Lynsie holds leadership positions as co-president of the Seattle Young People’s Project, Seattle Youth Commissioner for Mayor Mike McGinn, blogger for Puget Sound Off, and reading coach for Team Read. During her junior year, she was an Amigos de las America Volunteer in Honduras. Lynsie hopes she can one day create her own international nonprofit organization to assist students with basic necessities and opportunities to pursue higher education. Through her actions, Lynsie is demonstrating her compassion and dedication to work towards a just world where everyone can have the same opportunities and resources. Despite past hardships, Lynsie will not allow it to define her, but “rather, they have directed my future. I have been exposed to the suffering in which many people live through, and to a world I am determined to change.” One of her mentors has experienced “this resilient young woman’s transformation into an ambitious and altruistic leader. I am extremely proud to recommend her to be considered for this scholarship.”
Michelle is a Mien American attending Chief Sealth International High School with a GPA of 3.4. She plans to become a pediatrician. Michelle is active as the editor of the yearbook, editor of the Key Club Bulletin, a mentee with the Dream Project, and she enjoys playing tennis. In the community, she participated in the Seattle AIDS Walk, Doctors without Boarders, Union Gospel Mission, and was a summer camp leader at a local elementary school. Every summer she works at local nonprofit organizations. Michelle will be the first generation college student in her family. Michelle believes in education and as a leader she wants to inspire others to pursue higher education. “Obtaining a college degree will be immensely helpful not only for me, but for my entire family a well. It will demonstrate my ability to overcome every obstacle thrown my way and prove to my nieces and nephews that opportunities exist even in the most difficult situations.”
Rachel is a Lao, Vietnamese and Chinese American attending the Arts and Academics Academy with a 3.77 GPA. After graduation, she plans to study pharmacy. She is active as secretary and aid for the ASB, president of the DECA Club, set and crew designer for the Drama Club, participates in the Cooking Club and Breakout! (a yearbook training program), and is part of the University of Washington DREAM Project. She also practices break dancing, plays tennis, and volunteers for many community organizations. Rachel’s goals to achieve her “dreams and ambitions, help the needy, and live a healthy life” were instilled in her by her grandfather, who passed away from cancer. Rachel wants to teach others to take care of their health using her multilingual skills.
Spencer is a Lao American attending Emerald Ridge High School with a GPA of 3.8. He plans to study Health Administration after graduation and would like to become either an OBGYN or pediatrician. He is active in the school orchestra, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and the crews for jag and swim and dive. Spencer also spends his time as a youth facilitator for the Lao Heritage Foundation, is active in the Boy Scouts of America, and is senior class vice president at his high school. He also manages to work part-time as a math tutor. Spencer is passionate about his goal to enter the health field; he states, “…my life’s passion is to serve people. Service has brought me self-fulfillment and it has taught me many valuable lessons.“
Katherine is a Vietnamese American attending Garfield High School with a 3.99 GPA. She plans to study medicine. She is involved in numerous after school and community activities including TRiO Upward Bound Program, National Honor Society, Kiwanis Key Club, IGNITE (Inspiring Girls Now in Technology Evolution), Future of the Law Institute, National Society of High School Scholars, Summer Search, CAN (College Access Now), The Pen, Knitting Club, Treehouse, and she currently volunteers at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Katherine has shown resiliency in overcoming challenges, but remembering to always have hope and to continue to help others. She feels that “rather than wishing that things would be different, I appreciate my family’s efforts and sacrifices for me. and try to find a purpose and sense of fulfillment by achieving high grades in school, helping at home, getting involved and helping others by volunteering with different organizations.”
Voronnique is a Khmer American attending Lincoln High School with a 3.5 GPA. Her parents are refugees from Cambodia and were not able to attend college because they were farmers. However, they have emphasized the importance of education to Voronnique and to follow her dreams. She plans to study architecture because of her passion to draw buildings. She is active in the Polynesian Club, manager of the Lincoln Wrestling team, a member of the Upward Bound Program, and a peer tutor at the Lincoln Career Center. In the community, she is involved in the Young Women Program, Key Club, and with the LDS Church. Voronnique feels she has the “determination to be successful, so that my family knows that Cambodians don’t always have to work on the farm, we too can be successful in any career we wish to pursue.” To her it’s not simply to have a career for the money, but to enjoy her work. She hopes one day to open a community center for teens in Tacoma to give them a safe space to get involved in the community and receive assistance with academics.
Leyanna is a Khmer American attending Sartori Education Center with a 3.5 GPA. She hopes to study education or medicine to help others. Her leadership roles in school include editor and founder of the Literary Magazine, being fast pitch on the softball team, playing basketball, and being part of the Multicultural Club. Outside of school, she tutors at an elementary school and is part of the Small Business Administration at a local college. Before attending her current school, Leyanna experienced many challenges at school and home, but she realized she had to transfer to a new school to improve her academics. The Satori Education Center provided a more positive environment for her. She wants to “empower them (the students she tutors) to be able to care for themselves. I want them to know that families don’t come in white picket fences. They come from creating community and helping those in need.”
Dong is a Vietnamese American and attends Chief Sealth International High School with a 3.76 GPA. He wants to become an educator. Dong is active in student government, Key Club, and is a member of the TRiO Talent Search and on the Tennis Team. In the community he tutors at a local elementary school, is a member of Summer Search, volunteers at a food bank, and serves as an ambassador for the American Friends Service organization. Dong has been influenced by his teachers and support from the Summer Search Program and feels “because of how teachers influenced by life, my personal goal is to become an educator so I can help guide young minds to the path of success.”
Maryyah is a Cham American and attends Franklin High School with a 3.9 GPA. She is active in school as treasurer of the Key Club and Earth Corp, serves as captain for the Cross Country Team, and is vice president of the ASB. Maryyah is still undecided about her career path, but she strongly believes a college education will provide her the opportunity to reach her goals no matter what they are. Maryyah experienced discrimination and prejudice from strangers on the streets and students at the playground for being Muslim. “People exchange words about my hijab, unaware that I hear every insult they say. As an eight-year-old Muslim girl who had lived in the United States all her life, the discrimination thrown at me after September 11th was overwhelming.” Maryyah would like to fight for those facing discrimination and prejudice, “I still face stereotypes on a daily basis, but I stand my ground and it’s my responsibility to speak up for myself and others when people are unaware of their actions and words.” Christy is a Hmong American student attending Franklin High School with a 3.1 GPA. She is active in her school as the vice president of the International Club and a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She competes on the varsity teams for Track and Field and Volleyball and is on the Swim Team. She also volunteers at a local nursing home and works part-time. Christy is still deciding on what to study in college, but has been preparing to attend college through membership in the College Access Now program. Christy persevered in overcoming challenges in her childhood, especially being an ethnic Asian minority. After her parents divorced, her family moved to three states and it was difficult for her to transition into the schools as a new student. She felt that “moving so often became a big issue for me because different states teach at different levels… I had to study hard. Despite these hardships, I have still been able to keep my grades up and move on to reach my goals.” 2011 NSRC Fund $1,000 Scholarship Recipients
Pekthra is Khmer and Khmer Leou American and attends Federal Way High School with a GPA of 3.18. He plans to study medicine and become a physician’s assistant. In school he is involved with the Sparrow Club, Basketball Team, and serves as the executive mentor for the IGNITE tutoring program. Throughout his school years, Pekthra’s education was often interrupted when his family moved frequently to different cities in Western Washington. Once the family settled in one place, his academics began to improve greatly. By attending college “I want to make my family proud and show them how far I’m able to strive in life with my education. I want to be a good role model to my brother who looks up to me for what I’ve done and how far I’m expanding my education.”
Vanessa is a Khmer and Khmer Krom American and attends the Health Sciences and Human Services High School with a GPA of 3.77. She plans to study Business Administration in college. Vanessa is active in the Cultural Club, National Honor Society, Key Club, and Hoof Prints, a club that honors teachers who passed away. In the community, she tutors at the Boys and Girls Club and works as a babysitter. Despite challenges in her childhood and home life in a single-parent household, she worked hard to achieve her dreams and did not give up. “I promised myself to persevere because I’m in charge of my life and if I work hard enough, the end result would be a good, stable life that my family deserves.”
Kenneth is Vietnamese American attending Mariner High School with a GPA of 3.42. He plans to study biology and enter the medical field after graduation. Kenneth has experienced many challenges in his life, but his determination strong sense of achievement had helped him to “realize now that my future lies within my own hands…Helping others eases my pain and brings me joy…(his experience) has driven me to purse pre-med at the University of Washington.” Kenneth is actively involved in school as library tutoring coordinator at Mariner and in various community clubs and organizations.
Kevin is Khmer American attending Thomas Jefferson High School with a GPA of 3.93. He plans to study international studies after graduation. Kevin plans to attend the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and his goal is to become a U.S. Ambassador. Kevin is involved with the German Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club, and is part of the Advancing Leadership Youth Program of the Chamber of Commerce. Kevin is a role model to his peers and community. “I enjoy community service and helping people who need it, and to have an opportunity to do that within a global scale would be amazing… I have (also) considered enlisting with the Peace Crops.”
Sidney is Khmer American attending Arts and Academics Academy at Evergreen High School with a GPA of 2.83. He plans to study education after graduation and become an elementary of secondary education teacher. Sidney recognizes the struggles that the Khmer community faces and “this is what motivates me to become one who does achieve something great and meaningful in life.” Raised in a diverse community, Sidney is open-minded and is reminded of the importance to “give back.” He plays football at Evergreen and volunteers in the community, at a nearby school, and at his high school.
Phi is Vietnamese American attending Roosevelt High School with a GPA of 3.78. She plans to study education after graduation. Phi emigrated from Vietnam in 2004 and faced language barriers, cultural differences, and life in a new country. Phi’s accomplishments and academic success have been rewarding as she begins the next step of her journey. “I look at things in a different perspective and I am able to take on any challenge. This also inspired me to help others which is why I feel in love with volunteering.” Phi is involved in the community with the Vietnamese Friendship Association, Wilderness Inner-City Leadership Development, Vovinam, and Team Read.
Johnson is a Vietnamese American and attends Seattle Central Community College as a running start student with a GPA of 3.52. He is involved in various sports activities at Cleveland High School including the varsity wrestling and varsity football teams. He is also active in the Vietnamese Cultural Club, serves as a Teacher’s assistant at a local elementary school, is a first communion teacher, and volunteers through The Service Board program. Johnson was an immigrant from Vietnam as was often teased when he struggled to learn to speak English. He overcame this language barrier, and maintains contact with his cultural roots by being involved with the local Vietnamese Catholic Youth group. His Youth Minister praises “his potentials and dedication in making our community more youth-vibrant. I strongly believe that he will give much to our community in the future.”
Tuyet is a Vietnamese American and attends the Arts and Academics Academy with a GPA of 4.0. She hopes to study psychology in college because of the inspiration she receives from the students she tutors. “I want to be able to engage with students on a mental level and figure out the obstacles preventing them from success and help them overcome these challenges.” She serves as president of the Associated Student Body and is a member of the Gymnastics Team, Key Club, National Honor Society, Yearbook Club, Cooking Club, Break Dancing Club, and Drama Club. In the community she is involved with her church and volunteers with many nonprofits. Tuyet also works part-time as a tutor and graphic designer intern at the Youth Media Institute to help support her family.
Rakin is a Cham and Khmer American and attends Seattle Central Community College as a running start student and also attends Garfield High School with a GPA of 3.44. He plans to study engineering in college. His parents were refugees from Cambodia and Vietnam. His academic years were hard and challenging and he did not improve his studies until he became a running start student at the local community college. He also credits his Muslim religion and involvement in the Cham community for helping him succeed. He serves as a peer mentor. His Cham mentor states, “His dedication towards learning has made him a strong advocate of pursuing a high education for the Cham community and has also inspired others to get back into school.”
Kae is a Mien American and attends Franklin High School with a GPA of 4.0. She plans to study dance and filmmaking in college. She is involved in the Upward Bound program, Earth Corps, Break Dancing Club, F.A.M.E. Company, Asian Student Association, and National Honor Society. Kae is the eldest in a large family and her parent were refugees from Laos as ethnic minorities. In her small ethnic community where there are not many students pursuing higher education or even completing high school, she sees herself “as a role model for the younger generations of Mien children… and making contributions that will improve the Mien community in academics and in preserving the Mien culture.”
Thuy is a Khmer Krom American attends Ballard High School with a GPA of 3.8. She plans to study nursing at a community college and then transfer to a local university. She is multilingual in Khmer, Vietnamese and English and immigrated from Vietnam in 2007. She continues to study hard and one of her greatest challenges is the English language. But she will not let it stop her from pursuing her goals and giving back to the community. Thuy has accumulated 300 hours of community service at the Vietnamese Mutual Assistance Association. She teaches Vietnamese to first grade students and realizes that there are a lot of (Vietnamese students) born in the US who she wants to encourage and teach “to speak their mother’s tongue.”
Laurie is Chinese and Vietnamese American attending Garfield High School with a GPA of 3.49. She plans to discover her interests at college. Laurie is active involved in the National Honor Society, Student BioExpo, Key Club, Japanese Club, Chinese Culture Club, and Amnesty International. “Even though our family faced a lot of hardship, we were able to make a new life for ourselves in Seattle. The adversity I faced made me a stronger person.” Laurie has interned at Microsoft Corporation and continues to show commitment to her community and volunteer work.
Muankong is a Hmong American attending Lewis and Clark High School with a GPA of 3.5. He is involved with the Spokane Hmong Alliance Youth program and plans to study engineering in college. He comes from a large family and wants to pursue higher education to achieve his dream to support his family. His goal is to achieve “the knowledge I can pass on to others and be a role model to my own family and possibly others close to me.” Muangkong is currently taking challenging courses to pursue his educational dream. 2011 NSRC Fund $500 Scholarship RecipientsAnny Bui, Mariner High School, Everett, WA 2011 NSRC Fund $250 Scholarship RecipientsTony Au, Franklin High School, Seattle WA
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The Michihiko and Bernice Hayashida Scholarship
The Nobu Kumekawa Hibino Scholarship
The Alice Abe Matsumoto Scholarship
The Hasaye Hamaoka Mochizuki Scholarship
The Koh, Mitsu and Dr. Kotaro Murai Scholarship
Kaizo and Shizue Naka Scholarship
The Lafayette and Mayme Noda Scholarship
The Gladys Ishida Stone Scholarship
The Michi Nishiura Weglyn Scholarship
The Kay Yamashita Scholarship
Pekthra Chanthol
Vanessa Danh
Kenneth Do
Kevin Lee
Sidney Lim
Phi T. Ngo
Johnson Nguyen
Tuyet Nguyen
Rakin Resmath
Kae Saeteurn
Thuy Thach
Laurie D. Tran
Muangkong Yang
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