By Doug Walker, WLOX 13
ST. MARTIN, MS – The top three graduating seniors at St. Martin High School this year have more in common than just good grades. All three are first generation Americans, whose parents came from Vietnam. That’s a first in the school’s history.
(left to right) St. Martin High School Class of 2014 Valedictorian Cynthia Nguyen, Salutatorian Christopher Bui, and Historian Thien-Trieu Nguyen will all continue their educational journey together as they attend the University of South Alabama. Photo from WLOX.
From their earliest days, Thien-Trieu Nguyen, Christopher Bui, and Cynthia Nguyen were driven to succeed. There were bumps along the way, but they persevered.
“My parents always had this great work ethic. They worked hard for everything they had and that definitely motivated me and showed me what I should do in my life, too,” Valedictorian Cynthia Nguyen said.
During graduation practice, the three reflected on the past, including Christopher Bui, the Salutatorian.
“I just wanted to make my parents proud and get through school with the best grades that I could,” Bui said.
The achievement means a lot for all of them.
“It just allows me to show my achievement and be able to talk to everybody in the whole stadium and it’s an honor,” said Historian Thien-Trieu Nguyen.
Read the full story by Doug Walker from WLOX 13.
