Friday, July 25, 2014
0 comments Andrew Nguy: David Douglas teen seeks to use education to elevate students
The David Douglas Science Bowl team members were exhausted as they headed to the University of Portland for a February tournament at 5 a.m., but they were excited to show the other schools what they could do.
After devouring doughnuts, hot chocolate and coffee to keep them on their toes, Andrew Nguy, the president of the team, and his teammates were pumped up to beat their competition. At David Douglas High School in Portland, they were the best of the best – and believed they were prepared for a challenge.
But after a few rounds against Westview High School's team, Andrew was shocked at how quickly his team fell behind.
Toward the halfway mark, David Douglas' team of seniors was losing by more than 50 points to Westview's team of freshmen. It was catching up during the second section, but it wasn't enough.
Andrew and his teammates went from being fearless and positive to feeling discouraged and defeated.
"I felt devastated," the 17-year-old said.
Moments like these made Andrew realize his passion in life: education. He believes all students should have an equal chance to use their education to get better positions later on in life, and stop a cycle of poverty.He was frustrated that the younger students on the other team seemed to know more calculus than his fellow seniors. To let off some steam, he wrote a story for the David Douglas Highlander newspaper to describe how he felt the school's lack of Advanced Placement courses made it harder to get a good education as his peers did in other schools.
"They deserve the best that the school can give," he said.
With his outgoing voice, Andrew knew he could use the school newspaper to show other students how they have the short end of the stick. For example, Westview High School – the team that beat them in the Science Bowl – will have 18 Advanced Placement classes in the fall. David Douglas High School has nine AP classes.
His column explained how the school board should add more AP classes, such as AP Economics.
After reading Andrew's column, many students came up to him and said they agreed with him. He and others eventually started a petition, which 500 students signed, to tell the school board about their frustrations on April 10.
The school board gave Andrew and a friend good feedback, and eventually promised to consider adding the economics course.
Andrew learned the value of a good education from his parents, who emigrated from Vietnam before he was born. His father, a grocery store worker, and his mother, a cook at Portland Public Schools, told him they couldn't do the jobs they wanted because they didn't go to college.
The pair were constantly working to support Andrew. As an only child, he sometimes felt lonely but kept himself busy.
At school, he was the president of the Science Club, an editor of the school newspaper and a member of the National Honors Society.
He also teamed up with Peter Freedman, a local game enthusiast, to start a club at his school for Go, a game that started in ancient China. Andrew even won a championship in a beginner's division for North America in his age group.
Eventually, Andrew wants to attend Pomona College in Claremont, California. He likes the school because it's a small, liberal arts college where he'll be able to develop close relationships with his professors.
He wants to become a professor because he feels education and information are "necessary to advance the community.
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