Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

A. I graduated June 12 from Emmaus High School.

Q. Please provide the first names of your family members: parents, siblings and pets.

A. I live with my parents, my one brother and three sisters. My mother’s name is Hae Lah and my father’s name is Pah Toh Koh. My brother’s name is Ser Luther. My three sisters’ names are Ah Yer Paw, Em see, Em Thee. I am from the Karen culture, so our last names are not the same.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. My favorite subject is English because I enjoy reading different stories and improving my English skills. I had two really good English teachers, Mr. Speicher and Mrs. Kita.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. I have never received any awards, so this recognition of Student of the Week is a privilege for me.

Q. Were you involved in any extracurricular activities? How did COVID-19 impacted these activities?

A. I was a part of the Global Citizens Club, which focuses on appreciation of various cultures, languages, backgrounds, etc. from around the world. Mrs. Kita is the teacher in charge of this club. I highly recommend joining this club to meet new friends and learn from your peers. COVID-19 impacted this club, because last year we had to meet through Zoom, could not go on any field trips or do hands-on activities together in the classroom.

Q. What do you consider your biggest challenge to date?

A. The biggest challenge to date for me was keeping up with the level of education here. I was in a refugee camp for eight or nine years in Thailand, because there was a war in Burma. My parents had to work in the refugee camp, so I had to watch my younger sisters. Unfortunately, because of my responsibility, I did not go to school for two to three years. Currently, this makes school challenging for me at times.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. After high school, I want to go to college and improve my English skills. I want to do something with young kids. If I graduate college, I will be the first in my family to get a college degree. It will be a HUGE accomplishment.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. Someone I admire is my grandmother. She died in 2010, when I was 7 years old. I remember traveling with her on foot from Burma to Thailand. During this journey, we were on an unsteady boat. I feared if the boat tipped over, we would drown because no one knew how to swim. I admire her because she was the first person who became my best friend. She was a hard worker and she taught me how to cook, make friends and smile or be happy. I feel my smile is because of her. Every time I smile, I think of her because she brought me happiness. I can’t be mad at someone for long, thanks to her.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. One thing I would like to be remembered by is my smile, my hard work and diligence. My smile, hard work and diligence can be credited to my grandmother and parents. They sacrificed so much for me to be here.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. Some advice I would like to give to my peers is to follow your dreams and make them come true. Don’t give up. Don’t listen to what other people may think of you. Just trust yourself to make yourself happy. I never imagined I would ever be in a high school in America from a refugee camp in Thailand.