I've spent my life navigating two worlds that don't always agree. I am a first-generation Vietnamese American, a Colorado native, and the daughter of refugees from the Vietnam War. My father, a South Vietnamese fighter pilot, was the sole survivor of his platoon. My mother, the 7th child in a war-torn family, worked tirelessly after my parents' divorce to raise two daughters alone, navigating a new country and a new language. My family’s journey taught me the values of resilience, hard work, and the reality of what it takes to build a life from nothing. I still remember times when my mother would forage for food, like dandelions for tea or that plant that grows in the cracks of sidewalks for soup.

My roots in Lakewood run deep—I’ve been a resident since elementary school. I attended Molholm Elementary (Go Dolphins!), O'Connell Middle (Go Knights!) School, and Bear Creek High School (Go Bears!). Growing up wasn't easy; I faced discrimination, was bullied, and was often pushed into ditches, alienated because I was different and poor. Despite struggling socially, financially, and mentally, I kept fighting to survive. My experiences with the Outdoor Lab program were especially formative, teaching me the importance of leadership and environmental stewardship from a young age and solidifying my commitment to our community.