2020-2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Congratulations to our scholarship recipients!
HIGH SCHOOL RECIPIENTS
Rona Lor
A student leader in the classroom and on stage, Rona balances her love for music with her academics. A distinguished scholar with exemplary academic excellence especially with high marks in all Advanced Placement courses, Rona is on the right path to success. Her teachers characterized her transformation “from a shy girl into a true leader” who is “intelligent, respectful, responsible, friendly, and accomplished.” Congratulations and we wish you the best at UW-Madison!
Personal Biography:
Hello! My name is Rona Lor, and I am a senior at Appleton West High School. I will be attending UW-Madison in the fall with my sister, Tracy, majoring in business. I enjoy playing the clarinet, as I hold the principal chair at the Lawrence University Youth Wind Ensemble clarinet section, as well as co-principal chair in the Fox Valley Youth Symphony. With that, I take private lessons with my private instructor to enhance my musical skills! I also like to volunteer at the Harbor House as a childcare provider and mentor at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club. When I have free time, I like to experiment and cook/bake recipes in the kitchen, plan ahead and organize my schedule for the week, and lastly, cuddle and play with my dog!
Isabella Vang
Being well-rounded is what characterized Isabella as a student athlete with a passion for health science. She excels in both academics and athletics while maintaining 1st Chair Viola and a part-time job. Her teachers speak highly of her and consider her an accomplished “young woman who is helpful, responsible, diligent, and is an outstanding leader” with the “ability to stay positive and poised even in stressful situations.” Congratulations and we wish you the best as you decide on a home to pursue higher education for the next phase of your educational journey.
Personal Biography:
I am Isabella Vang. I attend Logan High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I partake in volleyball, track and field, orchestra, the Health Science Academy, and National Honors Society. Through the Health Science Academy, I’ve been certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Basic Life Support (BLS), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). I will be graduating in the top 5% of my class. I plan on attending a 4 year college where I will be majoring in a health field. In my family, I have both of my parents, two older brothers and a younger sister. My Hmong culture is very important to me, and I want to be able to preserve the language, customs and traditions that I have learned over the years.
Nongnah Her
Being involved in community and in extra-curricular activities is what defines Nongnah as a young lady of service with her various leadership roles. She is confident that her high academic success will allow her to become a successful Pharmacist. Her teachers speak highly of her and consider her as “the first to sign up for volunteer work and never shies away from opportunities” as she has a “passion for helping others.” Congratulations and we wish you the best in your career path to becoming a Pharmacist.
Personal Biography:
Hi! My name is Nongnah Her and I am currently a senior at Madison East High School. Throughout high school, I have had many leadership positions such as serving as Co-chair of the United Asian Club, Co-founder of The Student Success Team, Class Representative for Student Congress, and Captain of the girl’s soccer team. My experiences in high school have taught me many life lessons, but more importantly, they’ve shaped me into the leader I am today. I’m very lucky to have had a community
with influential people who have taught me how to advocate for and support others. I plan to pursue a career in pharmacy where I will be able to use these skills to help the community, especially the Hmong community. I’ve also learned the importance of giving
back to the community from my parents, who have been incredible influences on me. With their endless guidance and encouragement, they’ve pushed me to achieve many great things. I’d like to thank my parents for all that they’ve done for me and UHAA for supporting me so that someday I can support others through a career in pharmacy.
Tong Chi Yang
You can consider “Chasing the American Dream” as motivation to chase perfection even if it means helping your parents from 6 AM to 2 AM in the field. A strong work ethic in the field has transferred to a stronger work ethic in the classroom. Tong Chi took advantage of all educational opportunities provided to him and has established himself as a high achieving student with full speed ahead. His teachers are in awe of his “creativity and ability to problem solve complicated design challenges” while being one of the “most diligent and cooperative learners” with “work ethic and intelligence.” Congratulations and we wish you the best at UW-Madison!
Personal Biography:
I am Tong Chi Yang, a Hmong immigrant and American citizen. Although my family is less fortunate, I will obtain success with higher education. I have been admitted and plan to attend UW-Madison for the next academic year. I am undecided on a major at the moment, but I am interested in the field of finance. Education in finance would allow me to improve others’ lives, and I can learn to manage my own finances. Perhaps, I will become a financial advisor in the future. My plan is to graduate with a bachelor’s degree at UW-Madison.
Shiann Her
Dance and music are only a little part of Shiann’s story. Another page of her story is not yet written as she pursues a nursing career. Her strong academic course work and devotion to her family will guide her in the next phase of her educational journey. Her teachers speak highly of her and consider her prepared for college with her “writing skills and ability to grasp complex language concepts,” being able to“stand out in class,” and being “selfless and patient to help any member of her team.” Congratulations and we wish you the best as you decide on Minnesota or Wisconsin!
Personal Biography:
Hello, I’m Shiann Her from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and I’m honored to have been chosen as a scholarship recipient for this year. A little about myself is that I currently go to Eau Claire Memorial High School and I’m the captain of the dance team. I’ve been dancing for the past 13 years at a local dance studio and I’ve played piano for 12 years. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, baking pastries, going on new adventures, hanging out with friends, and you’ll also find me frequently shopping. My post-secondary plans include attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities or the University of Wisconsin Madison for nursing. I’ve chosen to pursue nursing because my passion is aiding and caring for people. Additionally, I’ve seen the amazing care that nurses provide to patients and I’ve always been interested in the health field. It’s important to me to represent the Hmong culture and to educate myself, this scholarship enables me to continue on with my education.
UNDERGRADUATE RECIPIENTS
Plaski Vue
Commitment is what allows Plaski to win the UHAA Scholarship two years in a row, recipient of the 2019-20 high school scholarship and the 2020-21 undergraduate scholarship. As a young leader, he took on courageous conversations centered around social injustice and domestic violence. He embraces challenges to project his perspectives in becoming a competent thinker. His support network speaks highly of him as he transitions to college life where he “has made a conscious effort to engage in meaningful experiences toward becoming a holistic college student” while always “donating his time to support” and “help consistently.” Congratulations and we wish you the best as you continue your education at UW-Milwaukee!
Personal Biography:
Hello everyone! My name is Plaski Vue and I reside in Milwaukee, WI. I currently attend UW-Milwaukee as a freshman with an undecided major. I have hopes in declaring my major as a mechanical engineer by the end of Spring 2021.
I am a carefree, goal-driven, and communicative person. I love expressing positivity because Iwant everyone to have just as great of a day that I am having! During my free time, I work on my family’s cars or am dedicating the time to my growth. I have a hobby of maintaining my car and my families. I am passionate about technical things that involve critical thinking and using my hands. This is the reason why I chose to go into the mechanical engineering field. My goal is to be able to give back to my community in thanks for shaping me into the person I am today.
Much of my community involvement and growth is due to my mentor, Huezong Yang, a Hmong Queer Advocate in the Hmong community. I am grateful for all the experiences that have gotten me here today.
Amy Xiong
An aspiring dermatology nurse is on the way. Amy has a passion for giving and helping others whether it’s working as a nursing assistant, finding time for Hmong dancing, and volunteering with Food Pantry and Cia Siab WI while still being a full time student. Her support system speaks highly of her as “an exemplary student” who is dedicated “to not only completing the task at hand, but completing the task thoroughly and correctly” with a “diverse skill set, commitment to service” and “willingness to take on important and tense issues” to advocate for her peers. We wish you the best as you continue your 3rd year of studies at UW-Oshkosh!
Personal Biography:
Hello all! My name is Amy Xiong and I am a sophomore currently attending UW-Oshkosh as a Pre-Nursing major, minoring in Health, Humanities, and Society. I am hoping to also attain the Hmong Studies Certificate as it is still awaiting approval from the university. Aside from academics, I dedicate a part of my time to UWO’s Food Pantry as a weekly volunteer and to the wound care clinic as a Patient Care Tech. In addition, I am employed as a Research Assistant through the Religious and Anthropology Department at UWO to be part of an organization called Cia Siab WI, working to piece together an exhibit to showcase the HMoob experience in Wisconsin. Through this work study, I had the opportunity to coordinate a fundraiser raising over $500.
Cynthia Yang
Cynthia is an active participant in her community through Miss Hmong Wisconsin, Hmong American Friendship Association, Hmong Student Association, and the Hunger Task Force. Cynthia has a passion to help and assist others in the area of self-help and self-care while striving to become the daughter and sister her parents and siblings need her to be. Her support system speaks highly of her as someone who “never lets failure stop her from pursuing her goals,” “successfully balances school and life,” and engages in class discussions to “effectively extend the material for her classmates.” We wish you the best as you continue your 3rd year of studies at UW-Milwaukee!
Personal Biography:
Hello everyone! My name is Cynthia Yang and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and I am currently majoring in Communications. I enjoy journaling, creative writing, and self-care activities. One of my biggest passions is studying the power of language and communication in the subject(s) of mental health. I have high hopes to make an immediate impact once I have finished my degree, it is my intention to graduate with the skills and resources necessary to assist others where they need it in their journeys of self-help and self-care. I hope to be a part of the larger societal movement/conversation that rids stigma and encourages people to find ways of coping with mental health and mental illness, whether going to therapy or practicing self-care in various forms. Once I have graduated, I plan to work alongside organizations that support my goals and whose missions mirror my values and initiatives. I am shaped by the strong people in my life who never cease to remind me of my potential and who encourage me to always dream high. My achievements are derived from the love of my parents, family, and friends; I am beyond grateful for their everlasting support.
Krystina Yang
Resilience and perseverance is what characterized Krystina’s path to UW-GB. She has a passion for representing the underrepresented through advocacy and empowerment in the area of Hmong community health. Her support system speaks highly of her as someone who “ wants to become the bridge and help the Hmong community live healthier lives, while maintaining their cultural heritage,” “ambitious and seeks out outside opportunities to continue to refine her academic skills,” and “consistently demonstrates strong work ethic and dedication to the success of our organization.” We wish you the best as you finish your last year at UW-Green Bay!
Personal Biography:
I am a non-traditional Hmong student, studying at the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay. After a break from school, I returned to college during the COVID-19 pandemic. My time off from school helped me secure my future career plans. My major is Communication with a double emphasis in heath communication and journalism. My interest in the health field and seeing lots of misinformation perpetuated through this pandemic influenced my study emphases. Through my life I have struggled with many things and have been helped by numerous people in the community. I attribute much of my growth to my faith, husband, mentors, close friends, and family.
One of my dreams is to help increase health literacy in America. I would like specifically to make a difference in the Hmong community. I have a long way to go. Although, my parents were unsuccessful in raising a bilingual daughter, I am determined to work through my inadequacies to find the best solutions for lifting my community. My community is both the Hmong community and the American community. Providing people with the knowledge to be able to make the best decisions for themselves, will allow them to break poverty cycles and inspire innovation for humanity. I appreciate the generosity of UHAA and its donors to receive this scholarship to help me fund my education.
Chathudy Vang
An aspiring school counselor is on the way! Chathudy is an active student through her volunteer work and leadership opportunities on campus. She is passionate about supporting the Hmong community in the areas of mental health, trauma, and well-being. Her support system speaks highly of her as someone who “will always give her all into making any space a safe and comfortable one for anyone who joins,” and exemplified the qualities of “selflessness, determination, and humility” while “balancing her personal, school, and work life.” We wish you the best as you finish your last year at UW-Stevens Point!
Personal Biography:
Hello everyone! My name is Chathudy H. Vang and my pronouns are she/her/hers! I currently am a full-time student at the University of Stevens Point and am in my third year. I am pursuing a major in Psychology with a minor in Child, Youth, and Family Studies, and I am working towards my goal of being a school counselor for Hmong students back in Milwaukee. I am a first-generation student to pursue a bachelors degree in my family. I am involved on campus which includes Sigma Delta Rho, a multicultural sorority, and Leaders Igniting Transformation. On my free time, I enjoy cooking, doing beauty-related activities, and singing!