Scholar Spotlight
A prolific writer of poetry and song, Nate is a dynamic speaker and isn't shy about performing in front of an audience.
Thuy Ngoc Ho
“I owe my success as a student to the passion and dedication that my parents have instilled in me from an early age. I am motivated not merely because a certain subject fascinates me, but because I love to learn for the sake of learning.”
- Program: 2009 College Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: New Haven , CT
- Hometown: Chantilly, VA
- Age: 21
- Four-year College or University: Yale University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Health Care, Medical Practitioner, Sciences, Research
- Other Interests: Astronomy, Aviation, Foreign Languages / International Study, Honor Society, International Relations / NGOs, Languages, Literature, Performing Arts / Theatre, Sciences, Social Science / Anthropology, Tutoring / Mentoring, Visual Arts, Volunteer Work, Flying Kites
Biography
Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Thuy Ho said she was amazed to learn of all the opportunities for specialized summer programs open to her as a Young Scholar, and she took advantage of as many of them as she could. “The program introduced me to the world beyond the school curriculum, beyond even the boundaries of what I imagined I could experience and accomplish.” She participated in a summer session with LearnServe Paraguay, performing community service in schools and orphanages in that South American nation and attended a LeadAmerica summit on medicine and healthcare in addition to other programs for future pre-medicine majors.
Profile: Thuy was born in Vietnam and arrived in the United States when she was just four-years-old. In Vietnamese, her name translates loosely to “friendly and gentle” and that is a perfect description of Thuy. She is also driven to become the best doctor she can possibly become. She can’t recall when it was she understood the beauty of learning and education. “Pure learning is a revealing, self-directed path,” she said. “It is the thrill of approaching the unknown with the tools to unearth the truth.”
Inspiration: Her mother is the “iron foundation” on which Thuy’s life has been built. She helped Thuy realize that she can “move up in the world by honest effort.” Thuy also is grateful to Lori Bucco, an English teacher at Chantilly High School, who inspired her with confidence and perspective. “From Ms. Bucco, I learned the beauty of words and how to utilize them to vocalize my inner thoughts and emotions.”
Aspiration: Her ultimate goal is to become a doctor or a researcher, or both. A middle school teacher once told Thuy that science “is your passion.” She never forgot the faith that teacher showed in her.
Making a Difference: At her high school Thuy almost single-handedly revamped the Science Olympiad team, calling it her legacy at her alma mater. In the community she volunteered hundreds of hours each year at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia in patient support services.
Accolades: Thuy was a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist and garnered numerous other academic awards at Chantilly High School.
Interesting fact: Thuy knows everything there is to know about the Fab Four (The Beatles). “Name any Beatles song,” Thuy says in a challenge, “and I will recognize it or be able to sing it.”
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Melissa Osborne
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