Pagna Eam, an immigrant from Cambodia, earned high grades at Bristol Community College and will now be attending Wheaton College. (Staff photo by Mike George)Saturday, June 5, 2010
BY GEORGE W. RHODES SUN CHRONICLE STAFF (Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA)
Pagna Eam hopes she doesn't cry when she walks across the stage today to collect her associate degree in general studies from Bristol Community College.
But if she does, she's due.
Her graduation from BCC marks an important milestone on a long hard trip that began six years ago in Cambodia, when her mom, fearing for her safety in a politically unstable and violent land, sent her then 16- year-old daughter halfway around the world to the United States to seek a better life and freedom.
And while the journey for Eam, who aims to become a math professor, is not nearly done, she's well on her way. Now almost 22, Eam has learned English and graduated from high school.
She finished second in her class at BCC with a 3.91 grade point average and is heading to Wheaton College to study mathematics.
She will enter the highly regarded Norton school as a sophomore in September. Wheaton has given Eam almost a full scholarship, which is bolstered by loans.
The enthusiastic and dedicated young scholar is well known at BCC for arriving every day on her bicycle, her main mode of transportation. With little money, it's all she can afford. But she's not complaining.
Eam says she's grateful for the help she's gotten along the way and plans to keep peddling until she can afford a car and a home of her own.
But the journey can only be made "one step at a time," she said, adopting a version of the college vision statement often repeated by President John Sbrega: "Bristol Community College changes the world by changing lives, learner by learner."
"I believe in his philosophy," Eam said.
Her biggest challenge so far has been learning English and going through high school at the same time, she said.
"Sometimes I would be up to 2 in the morning, translating my homework, making sure I understood it, she said.
"My Cambodian to English and English to Cambodian dictionary is this thick," she said spreading her fingers a good 6 inches. Eam lives with her sister Pisey Eam, 26, who came to the United States in 2005, in the home of Bill and Patti Donlevy on Pearl Street.
Donlevy, a social worker, is well known for his work with immigrants, and Eam considers the Donlevys her American parents.
Eam credits another sister in Cambodia, Yaneth Ourn, with pushing her to learn math and teaching her how to be a good sister, daughter and citizen.
"She was a stern teacher, but a good teacher. She taught me well and she wanted me to have a better life," said Eam, who is now fluent in English and has picked other forms of communication like the "high five" which she gave to a reporter who successfully used the Cambodian pronunciation of her name.
Eam herself is far from stern, with a smile nearly always on her face.
She's already gotten a good start on her teaching career by tutoring more than 50 fellow students in math.
But her students have been teachers, too, she said.
They've helped her with her English and they've taught her how to teach.
"I learned to slow down and take things step by step," Eam said.
She's also earned praise working in the school department's Abacus childcare program.
While Eam is clearly a good sister and good daughter, she needs to wait one more year before she becomes a good citizen.
She's been a permanent resident of the United States for four years and needs one more before she can apply to become a citizen - and she can hardly wait.
Once a citizen, she'll feel safe enough to visit her mom in Cambodia.
Without the American shield to protect her, she's worried she might not be able to get out of her homeland.
But when she goes, she'll have the money, thanks to students and teachers at Attleboro High School who raised $2,000 for the trip.
It's a painful wait because Eam wants to see her mom, who's now in her 70s and ailing. She hopes to bring her to America for the medical care she needs.
But in the meantime, she talks to her by phone twice a month and today will have her close to her heart by proudly wearing a handmade traditional Cambodian outfit her mom sent to her.
"I hope I don't cry" Eam said.
But if she does, she's due.
Her graduation from BCC marks an important milestone on a long hard trip that began six years ago in Cambodia, when her mom, fearing for her safety in a politically unstable and violent land, sent her then 16- year-old daughter halfway around the world to the United States to seek a better life and freedom.
And while the journey for Eam, who aims to become a math professor, is not nearly done, she's well on her way. Now almost 22, Eam has learned English and graduated from high school.
She finished second in her class at BCC with a 3.91 grade point average and is heading to Wheaton College to study mathematics.
She will enter the highly regarded Norton school as a sophomore in September. Wheaton has given Eam almost a full scholarship, which is bolstered by loans.
The enthusiastic and dedicated young scholar is well known at BCC for arriving every day on her bicycle, her main mode of transportation. With little money, it's all she can afford. But she's not complaining.
Eam says she's grateful for the help she's gotten along the way and plans to keep peddling until she can afford a car and a home of her own.
But the journey can only be made "one step at a time," she said, adopting a version of the college vision statement often repeated by President John Sbrega: "Bristol Community College changes the world by changing lives, learner by learner."
"I believe in his philosophy," Eam said.
Her biggest challenge so far has been learning English and going through high school at the same time, she said.
"Sometimes I would be up to 2 in the morning, translating my homework, making sure I understood it, she said.
"My Cambodian to English and English to Cambodian dictionary is this thick," she said spreading her fingers a good 6 inches. Eam lives with her sister Pisey Eam, 26, who came to the United States in 2005, in the home of Bill and Patti Donlevy on Pearl Street.
Donlevy, a social worker, is well known for his work with immigrants, and Eam considers the Donlevys her American parents.
Eam credits another sister in Cambodia, Yaneth Ourn, with pushing her to learn math and teaching her how to be a good sister, daughter and citizen.
"She was a stern teacher, but a good teacher. She taught me well and she wanted me to have a better life," said Eam, who is now fluent in English and has picked other forms of communication like the "high five" which she gave to a reporter who successfully used the Cambodian pronunciation of her name.
Eam herself is far from stern, with a smile nearly always on her face.
She's already gotten a good start on her teaching career by tutoring more than 50 fellow students in math.
But her students have been teachers, too, she said.
They've helped her with her English and they've taught her how to teach.
"I learned to slow down and take things step by step," Eam said.
She's also earned praise working in the school department's Abacus childcare program.
While Eam is clearly a good sister and good daughter, she needs to wait one more year before she becomes a good citizen.
She's been a permanent resident of the United States for four years and needs one more before she can apply to become a citizen - and she can hardly wait.
Once a citizen, she'll feel safe enough to visit her mom in Cambodia.
Without the American shield to protect her, she's worried she might not be able to get out of her homeland.
But when she goes, she'll have the money, thanks to students and teachers at Attleboro High School who raised $2,000 for the trip.
It's a painful wait because Eam wants to see her mom, who's now in her 70s and ailing. She hopes to bring her to America for the medical care she needs.
But in the meantime, she talks to her by phone twice a month and today will have her close to her heart by proudly wearing a handmade traditional Cambodian outfit her mom sent to her.
"I hope I don't cry" Eam said.
22 comments:
is that what you call news ? it's a boring article to me .
Hahaha! This is some F.O.B. Bullshit news!!
What the fuck kind of news is this? Any dumb ass can get into a Community College, not to mention FOB's (Fresh Of the Boat)!!
Congratulations to you, Pagna for a job well done!
Keep up the good work. You are on the right track. The sky is the limit!
Good luck.
Anet Khmer
It is a good news.
Panga Eam will become a prominent scholar. The most important factor is determination to study, which will shape her life in the future. It is not important whether you are smart or rich, if one has a determination, one can succeed.
I did like her longtime ago. While studying Russian, I had to translate from Russian into French, and then French into Khmer. I ended up sitting until 1 or 2 am at night during my first and second year in college.
Congrat to Pagna. With perseverance you have attained what you strive to achieve. Not all Khmer children have persisted and achieved as you have done. Many were born in the States have walked the wrong paths and were trapped in gang and drug environment.
Another proud Khmer here...
1:52pm, 1:55pm, and 2:00pm
I think you are either a low life Thai or Yuon. Judging by your eloquent comments I don't think even you can get in this community college. With those kind of vocabularies it seems you're one Fresh Of the Boat!
Pagna:
Please ignore the 1.52pm, 1.55pm, and 2.00pm. They were born that way, piece of shit, that's what they are.
I too walked through the same path that you're walking now.
I grew up in Cambodia,and when I came to U.S I was 19 years old.
When first started college, I too read my homeworks at least three times before I fully understand them.
First looking for vocabularies, then translated them to Khmer, and third time is to understand in English sense.
I tell you. It took me 4.5 years to receive a BBA, then a couple years later an MBA.
12 years later, a Sr.Business Analyst for a major oil and gas company making $150K per year.
So my braging is to inspire you that anything can happen if you set your mind for them.
Congrats, and study harder, the road is a long way to come,
1:55 PM and 2:00 PM:
You need to tutored in basic math and stupidity 101, man. She is much better than you, you were still washing dishes for the first 10 years in the new country, asshole.
1:52pm, 1:55pm, and 2:00pm have the mentality of losers. The fact that Miss Pagna is going to study mathematics in college does not seem to mean anything to them.
Congratulations to Pagna for your achievement. I can tell that you will do well at wheaton and later to go for a doctorate in Mathematics.
From an engineer
1:37 AM
I'm sure you had to go to the community college too before you have the chance to be accepted in the four-year institution.
Cambodian is way smarter they got real BA/BS nor PhD. Khmerican/Camerican are just Bad Attitude or Bull Shit nor Permanent Head Damaged. I knew this girl came 1995 way way way behind the rest of those Khmer abroad. Today she owned houses, businesses, and luxury cars. You Khmer abroad are dumbed ass hell just sing and drink all weekend long.
Wheaton is a good college. A few of my family went to that college in the early '90. They all graduated and have very successful careers.
Mreas Prov
Wheaton is a good college. A few of my family went to that college in the early '90. They all graduated and have very successful careers.
Mreas Prov
some of those posters are acting like they are good people with good english the way the responded... but the comments they made at the beginning by 1:52 PM ,1:55 PM and 2:00 PM was about the story that made news... not about her .go back and read it again ..the ones who call (themselves educted people )and make another comment .
7:45 AM,
If it was about the news article, why did he have to use the words "FOB's" and "any dumb ass?"
You, yourself are now acting, and not so goo at it.
By the way, this comment is about you, but it is about the a..hole.
7:45am,
You need to go back and read comment in 2:00pm. Perhaps your reading comprehension is somewhat deficient.
It was not just an attack on the article, but also a personal attack is laid at the person IN the article, note the term "Fresh Off the Boat." I suspect this moron is not Cambodian.
The earlier comments were made both to the news and to the substance. While making comments, I would encourage Cambodian students to work hard. Even in Cambodia, girls do better in school than boys, because now there are too much distraction for the boys. It means that attitude matters and there is no success without hard work.
The very first three anonymous said...
1. is that what you call news ? it's a boring article to me.
2. Hahaha! This is some F.O.B. Bullshit news!!
2. What the fuck kind of news is this? Any dumb ass can get into a Community College, not to mention FOB's (Fresh Of the Boat)!!
Who are these people? the language the used wonder they have any education? if not drug dealer than must be gangsters? poor loser.
There are a lot more young Cambodian that were graduating and will be graduating from college and university in United States. It's happening just about everywhere we live. College education is somewhat becoming a norm nowaday. We just don't say it. Some even go as far as getting the PHD or doctoral degree. The problem is finding job after that. Just make sure that everyone knows to pick the right major which is in demand for the market. Good luck and best wishes to Pagna. A journey of 1000 steps begins with the first one.
( Chinese proverb ).
Let's see if you can handle real college pagna. Let's see if you can be the first eam to graduate college. Looks like its a race between you and me now.
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