My definition of success is helping others through my love of what I do, even if it’s one person at a time. I was born in Vietnam to a family that is traditional, strict and academically focused. At a young age, we all know higher education is important and you can be whoever you want as long as you work hard for it. I remember as a little girl, my parents would encourage and expect each of us to get an “A” in all our classes. As a way of motivating us, they compared us with our cousins on everything from grades, manners and athletic skills. I never liked competition, so I was always trying to find ways to do the minimum to excel and never challenged myself.

In 1993, at the age of 11 years old, our family moved to the United States in search of a better life and pursuit of the American dream. My father was in the non-communist military in the 1970s. He was a medical provider, but after the war, the communist government won so he was sent to the concentration camp for six years and was not able to practice ever again. In the late 1980s, the US had an immigration program, for those who were non-communists and involved in the military, to apply for a one-way ticket. My parents took the opportunity to provide their children a better life and the Americans dream, so all five of us packed up and flew across the ocean to an unknown country. None of us spoke English. My first three years were challenging. Adjusting to school, classmates and society was difficult. I was forced to grow up really fast; winging English and life as it came. I remembered my first week of school, the teacher found out I had lice in my hair. My parents were very concerned and didn’t know the rules and resources at that time. They shaved my head so I could to go back to school. This happened to be our school picture day, so I ended up with a picture on the classroom wall, bald-headed in a bright lavender dress. I don’t recall having any friends that semester. My sister was able to settle down, marry and moved away with her husband. Therefore, I was it.

I helped my parents with anything and everything that required translation, speaking English and representing my parents on the phone and in-person. My parents moved us around a lot the first three years in the hope of a better school system. I remember we walked to the school and attended whatever free programs they had after-school to help us excel. My dad got a job as a newspaper deliveryman and my mom worked some side jobs at a clothing factory. My dad delivered newspapers early in the morning, came home, made ramen noodles for breakfast and took us to school. He then went to bed while we were at school. My mom’s job was to trim each string that stuck out on each button of each new shirt or pants making one cent for every 2 buttons. It often did not add up to be a lot of money after long hours of hard work. We went to the local library and bookstores such as Barnes and Noble and any free programs that gave us food and school tutoring. At night, our family walked around the area for exercise collecting aluminum cans and cardboard from the trash bins to make extra money. Our family signed up to receive all the assistance programs the community offered to maximize our opportunities, from welfare, food stamp, church food drive, low-income donation, section 8 housing, and Salvation Army holiday gifts, etc.

My parents sacrificed their comfort and familiar lifestyle, image, and humility in asking for help from others so we, could have all the chances for success. When I was in 6th grade, I met Ms. Lackey who taught me art and English as a second language. She is my role model, mentor, and friend to this day. She reached out, believed in me, motivated and inspired me to be whatever and whoever I wanted. She encouraged me to be independent, push the limits, and reached for the stars. With my parents and Ms. Lackey’s continued support and love, I worked hard in high school, then graduated and attended Nursing school at San Jose State University. I wanted to be a nurse, and have the skills to take wherever I went and help care for others. College was a wake-up call for me. I partied a lot while trying to do well in the nursing program. I was sexually harassed by a family’s friend. I made some choices that I still struggle to this day. I have many wonderful friends that dragged me to study groups and supported me. I didn’t pass my nursing exam the first time because I didn’t study hard enough. I realized then that I needed to keep working hard and stay focused at all times to succeed at any level.

After I passed my nursing exam and became a nurse, I joined the US Air Force. I wanted to give back to the country that gave my family a second-chance and caused me to be who I am today. I continue to work as a nurse, serve our nation through the military and travel the world. I was fortunate to be stationed in California, England, Alaska, Florida, Alabama, Japan and now Virginia. I was also deployed to Afghanistan and worked closely with the Afghan medical team to enhance their medical structure. I’m grateful and thankful for all the role models and support from my family and friends. God’s unconditional love and making the best out of wherever I am, have been a blessing. There will always be challenges and struggles but I honestly believe that God only gives me what he knows I can handle. I have to force myself to continue learning, invest in education so I will never fall behind. I know that helping other people and youth are important to me and shaping our future generation. I was fortunate to have a positive influence and role models when I was in middle school and high school and I’m now loving my nursing career and life. I want to give back, inspire each of you to work hard, don’t give up and be whoever you want to be. You can do it, and nothing is impossible. Find one or multiple people to look up to and seek out ways to make your goals and dreams become reality. I am living the American dream! I will leave you with a saying that is close to my heart. “To the world, you are one person. To one person, you are the world.”