Roth Prom, A Cambodian-born immigrant, sits in front of a computer in the yearbook room at Lexington High Senior High School. Prom has earned a full scholarship to Wake Forest University in the fall. (Carol Hoglen/The Dishpatch)Wednesday, June 3, 2009
BY RYAN JONES
The Dispatch (Lexington, North Carolina,USA)
By the time she was 2 years old, Roth Prom had experienced more than most people do in an entire lifetime. But her exceptional story has only fueled her determination to succeed.
To escape political unrest, Prom's family fled their native Cambodia when she was still in diapers.
Remembering most of her story through photos and accounts given by her father, Prom, now a senior at Lexington Senior High School, described in detail how her mother carried her through the Cambodian jungle to the border of Thailand.
"The journey to Thailand is dangerous because the government can turn you back, and you can possibly get killed," she explained.
Even though her family was robbed at gunpoint and lost the Cambodian equivalent of $100,000, she still says, "We were lucky."
In Thailand, Prom lived in multiple refugee camps where her family experienced the hardships of forced emigration.
"There were a lot of families there in the same position as we were," she said. "We had to ration, and we had to fight for food."
Prom and her family finally made it to the U.S. in 1992. They first lived in Seattle, Wash., and moved around a lot before settling in North Carolina. At one point, Prom said, she lived in a two-room apartment constantly filled with family members.
Now, the self-described rambunctious child is preparing to attend Wake Forest University on $46,000 worth of renewable financial aid. She plans to major in pre-med.
"I used this story to help me," Prom said, describing the application and interview process. "When they asked, 'What could you talk about all day?' I said, 'My parents.'"
She credits them with instilling in her a drive to excel in all areas of her life. One of the most important lessons she ever learned, Prom said, came from her mother: "If you know what you want, go after it, you can't just sit back and wait for it to come to you."
That's just what Prom, who will graduate June 13, has done in her four years at Lexington Senior High. In addition to completing five Advanced Placement courses, she has been a member of the Environmental Club, Quiz Bowl and the basketball, volleyball and track teams. Prom was also the business manager of the yearbook this year, helping raise more than $10,000 in advertisements.
"We're (Prom and her siblings) so thankful to our parents to have brought us here, and I'm just trying to give back to what they gave me."
Prom describes herself as very family-oriented. Each week, she helps care for her four nephews, taking them to karate practice and to school functions.
"It's a great family. You can't help but be family-oriented going through that kind of stuff," she said, referring to their decision to leave Cambodia for a better life.
Though she has lived in the U.S. for the majority of her 18 years, Prom is proud of her Cambodian roots. She hopes to visit family there someday soon.
"It's been quite a journey," she said. "I think it's only done us good to come here."
Ryan Jones can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or at ryan.jones@the-dispatch.com.
To escape political unrest, Prom's family fled their native Cambodia when she was still in diapers.
Remembering most of her story through photos and accounts given by her father, Prom, now a senior at Lexington Senior High School, described in detail how her mother carried her through the Cambodian jungle to the border of Thailand.
"The journey to Thailand is dangerous because the government can turn you back, and you can possibly get killed," she explained.
Even though her family was robbed at gunpoint and lost the Cambodian equivalent of $100,000, she still says, "We were lucky."
In Thailand, Prom lived in multiple refugee camps where her family experienced the hardships of forced emigration.
"There were a lot of families there in the same position as we were," she said. "We had to ration, and we had to fight for food."
Prom and her family finally made it to the U.S. in 1992. They first lived in Seattle, Wash., and moved around a lot before settling in North Carolina. At one point, Prom said, she lived in a two-room apartment constantly filled with family members.
Now, the self-described rambunctious child is preparing to attend Wake Forest University on $46,000 worth of renewable financial aid. She plans to major in pre-med.
"I used this story to help me," Prom said, describing the application and interview process. "When they asked, 'What could you talk about all day?' I said, 'My parents.'"
She credits them with instilling in her a drive to excel in all areas of her life. One of the most important lessons she ever learned, Prom said, came from her mother: "If you know what you want, go after it, you can't just sit back and wait for it to come to you."
That's just what Prom, who will graduate June 13, has done in her four years at Lexington Senior High. In addition to completing five Advanced Placement courses, she has been a member of the Environmental Club, Quiz Bowl and the basketball, volleyball and track teams. Prom was also the business manager of the yearbook this year, helping raise more than $10,000 in advertisements.
"We're (Prom and her siblings) so thankful to our parents to have brought us here, and I'm just trying to give back to what they gave me."
Prom describes herself as very family-oriented. Each week, she helps care for her four nephews, taking them to karate practice and to school functions.
"It's a great family. You can't help but be family-oriented going through that kind of stuff," she said, referring to their decision to leave Cambodia for a better life.
Though she has lived in the U.S. for the majority of her 18 years, Prom is proud of her Cambodian roots. She hopes to visit family there someday soon.
"It's been quite a journey," she said. "I think it's only done us good to come here."
Ryan Jones can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or at ryan.jones@the-dispatch.com.
11 comments:
Good job girl! someday you will be running for president, God bless cambodia!
Pre-Med is one of best fields. Wish her the best.
Congratulations, girl!!!! You just won my salutations!!!
May all the luck and success be with you all the way, dear Mss. Roth Prom.
Regards,
From your female counterpart
Way to go Roth! It doesn't matter where you came from; the past doesn't necessarily equal the present or the future but your on your way to a bright future.
Remembered where we are coming from.
Wish you all the best my dear Khmer Descent.
Remember; who are you?.where are you from?Even though you are born on the freedom land,you are Khmer blood,Khmer descent.
May God in the heaven bless you to be a leader that coudl save Khmer from suffering and killing.
Undoubtedly, identity crisis will be her pricipal challenge in the future just like most of Ah Khmer-Yuons.
PPU
PPU,
One good thing she didn't bribe like in Cambodia. I am sure she can make it through with her scholarchip.
Medical school is hard if one cannot memorize. If she is good with memorizing, a piece of cake.
Another thing, she is Khmer not Khmer-Youn like you. Don't create false info to make yourself better than a dog broken leg.
From a poor Med stu. drives a cheap sport car.
12:50 PM
If you're -- indeed -- a future physician, I'd advise you to merely practice your medicine (and look up to your patients), and stay out of politics. Medicine and politics do not mix well in the today society.
Pi Anh: PPU
I'm a registered voter, PPU. Every citizen must get involved with politics. If we don't those politicians will do for us, and they will create more disaster. Take my advice for it if you don't want to see another Dear Leader like Kim Jung Il or Hun Sen you favorite man.
Med Stu.
2:25 PM
The world needs challenge; also, the world needs competitions.
Moreover, calamity and cataclysm are part of the world order that keep everyone -- like you and me --on their feet so we can go about our daily business and lives.
Pi Anh: PPU
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