Key Nguyen, photographed in the WHS hallway on 10.22.19.
What are you doing with your life these days?
As of right now, I’m a junior at UVM’s College of Nursing and Health Science, majoring in Professional Nursing with a minor in Healthy Behavioral Change Studies. I’m currently working as a nursing assistant at Converse Assisted Living downtown, and I’m a tour guide at UVM. This year I stopped everything to focus on my studies, but the first two years I was very active in a lot of leadership roles on campus. I had to shift my focus because of my clinical work.
I used to live on campus but I had to move home because my parents don’t speak English well, and they need my help with day-to-day stuff. They are afraid of driving anywhere new, so I have to drive them places and help them with bills and their bank account… anything that involves English or that is out of the ordinary for them.
What brought you to Winooski?
I moved to the U.S. in 2013 from Vietnam. My sister had already moved here with her husband and my parents decided it was a good idea to move our whole family here for educational opportunities. We had a good life in Vietnam. There was no war there or anything.
The whole entire reason we moved here was for my education. My parents were already old, close to retirement age, so for them to make such a big change was a really big deal. The transition was really difficult. Learning a new language and culture was a really hard shift for them.
That’s so touching…Your parents sacrificed a lot for you by coming here, and you, in turn, sacrifice a lot for them. So, how did Winooski further your education?
I came straight here from Vietnam. I started in 9th grade. I didn’t speak any English. It was rough. But I had a lot of help from teachers and friends. At first I was isolated. In class, I couldn’t understand what the teacher was saying…it was a lot of pressure…my parents gave up their whole life, and I didn’t feel successful and it felt like everything was falling apart.
Luckily, I had a really great support system at the school – Ms. Green and Ms. Mellen and Ms. Bundy and Mr. Clark – everybody was really supportive, and because of that I was able to learn a lot and get back on track.
Things began to get better 2nd semester of 9th grade. That was when I picked up more confidence. The teachers didn’t make me feel like I was going to fail – they just assumed that I would succeed.
The WHS teachers’ high expectations lifted me up and prepared me for where I needed to be.
Sounds like you found the quality of your Winooski education to be excellent?
Rainbow Chen and I were very involved in music and we were well known outside of the school. Not a lot of people expected us to come from Winooski High School – a lot of people downplay WHS for some reason. People migrate here from other places, so based on testing we are below the average, but the quality of education is the same as anywhere. Actually, I think it’s better. You can’t expect a new immigrant to score perfectly on a standardized test. If you’d tested me first semester of 9th grade I would have scored a zero.
Other schools don’t have so many immigrants. The reality is that we have so many students from other countries still learning English. We have a great support system and all the resources we need.
I wouldn’t be who I am today without Winooski High School.
When we moved here, even my sister told me I shouldn’t go to Winooski, but we ended up living here and I’m so grateful. Other schools are so big, but this school is small. I needed help and the teachers were able to help me. They pay close attention to those who need help. At bigger schools you don’t get the same support and help. I would have sunk at those big schools when I was really struggling.
What is something you really value about your experience at Winooski?
At Winooski, everybody knows each other. We only have one hallway, and we see each other every day. We are a close family and the teachers are well equipped with their knowledge and great with their teaching styles.
I’m a singer and I sing opera. But my family is a low-income family and we couldn’t afford music lessons. So, Winooski High School sponsored me to go to performances and festivals. I was the only student at the New England Music Festival from Winooski. Mr. Argraves, the band teacher, drove miles and miles to come support me. Other teachers there had dozens of students, but it was just amazing that he was there to support me. That’s something you can’t get at a bigger school.
Because it is a smaller school we can direct resources to students more efficiently. I received a lot of support from the school. When I had a chance to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of their 100th anniversary, I couldn’t afford to stay in NYC for three days to rehearse and perform, but the school supported me and they allowed me to have that amazing opportunity.
You’ve already said it many different ways, but I have to ask, why do you heart Winooski?
I love Winooski because it is a small community that is very supportive and the teachers are amazing. They are so great with their teaching and have a lot of experience and know exactly what they are doing and they will help you even if you are not their student, if you reach out to them, they will all take time to help you.
So, what are your next steps on your incredible journey of life?
I’m getting my Doctorate of Nursing Practice. UVM only has a traditional track and then you apply for the doctorate program, and I’m petitioning the University to have an accelerated track. I need to do this to save money. I’m a Green and Gold Scholar – I don’t pay any tuition – it’s based on merit. One student from every high school in Vermont is chosen. That’s another perk of going to WHS.
Advice for current students?
A lot of people think that the academic program isn’t challenging enough. I will say that’s not true. I’m well prepared compared to other students at UVM, and even one of the top students. I’m not afraid to say that. WHS provided me with so many resources and knowledge, I’m confident walking around UVM and not afraid to face the other students. I don’t see myself as “less than” students from private schools and schools with better reputations. If anyone thinks WHS doesn’t prepare students for college I can assure them: That’s NOT true!
As for writing skills – I’m a TA for some classes and I can say that we are better writers. We have to do a lot of writing and because of all our GXs we are so prepared for everything.
The main purpose for me being here was to get an education. WHS is more than capable to get them to the top. There were so many students who deserve the title valedictorian – we were a high achieving class. It’s up to the student. If they want help they can get it.
What’s your source of inspiration?
I know the power of education and my family knows it too. If you have an education in your hand other people cannot control you. It gives you so much power. My family is low income, and education is the only way for us to have a brighter future. We can’t just play the lottery…our only real chance is through education and hard work and my family understands that.
For high school students who don’t understand the importance of education, I would say: Look further into your life – you have 80 years ahead of you (statistically speaking) so what do you want to achieve in those 80 years?
I want my next 80 years to be the brightest of my life. High school was an important time for me to develop a strong foundation. WHS helped me with that. I hope students will see the school as an opportunity instead of a place they have to go to. And I hope the school continues to listen to students about what they need so everyone can work together for a brighter future.
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