“May 31 is now “Choua Her Day” in the City of Madison
students, a high school and college-aged spelling bee in White Hmong, and a community-wide spelling bee in White Hmong. The event culminated with the
announcement that May 31 was officially Choua Her day.
In a surprise ambush (after Spelling Bee winners were awarded their prizes) a group of students gathered by the microphone and began reading the city’s
proclamation.
“Whereas, Choua worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District as a school liaison to Southeast Asian communities [starting] in November 1999,”
began the first student.
“Whereas, she started district-wide events, such as annual sports and academic tournaments and talent shows, which now draw participation from neighboring
school districts including Monona Grove, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Middleton,” read another student.
“Whereas, these events, many of which she coordinates on her own time after school hours, involve hundreds of students who learn the organization and
leadership skills necessary to pull off these great events,” stated a third student.
“Whereas, Ms. Her is also at the center of all local projects for the advancement of the Southeast Asian community and is an excellent role model, showing
students how to get the things they want and need by working through the system,” another read.
“Whereas, she is a strong advocate for the Southeast Asian community and, most especially, our large local Hmong community, acting as a potent force for
the healthy adjustment and integration of Southeast Asian students in our local community,” continued a fifth student.
Students continued, one after another, to list Her’s achievements, including her role in the creation of a Hmong language class for native speakers at East
High School; her role as coordinator of the SEA (Southeast Asian) Attendance initiative, a program working to improve SEA student attendance; her
involvement in the Asian College and Career Fair; and her efforts to bring national educational specialists, such as Tou Ger Xiong, to Madison.
Her first looked surprised as students began commending her many achievements and then rather humbled as she read the plaque from the City. The
students she has worked with handed her flower after flower.
While Her has provided many valuable experiences and services to Madison’s Southeast Asian population, Nigh asserts that perhaps, most importantly, she
has given Southeast Asian students back their identity.
“I think that students who don’t have roots or don’t connect to those roots, have a harder time getting going in life,” Nigh said. “Knowing who you are,
connecting with your past and with family, gives kids a psychological strength that is so important.”
For that, and so much more, we commend Her for all she has done to better the lives of Southeast Asian students, their families, and the community.
announcement that May 31 was officially Choua Her day.
In a surprise ambush (after Spelling Bee winners were awarded their prizes) a group of students gathered by the microphone and began reading the city’s
proclamation.
“Whereas, Choua worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District as a school liaison to Southeast Asian communities [starting] in November 1999,”
began the first student.
“Whereas, she started district-wide events, such as annual sports and academic tournaments and talent shows, which now draw participation from neighboring
school districts including Monona Grove, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Middleton,” read another student.
“Whereas, these events, many of which she coordinates on her own time after school hours, involve hundreds of students who learn the organization and
leadership skills necessary to pull off these great events,” stated a third student.
“Whereas, Ms. Her is also at the center of all local projects for the advancement of the Southeast Asian community and is an excellent role model, showing
students how to get the things they want and need by working through the system,” another read.
“Whereas, she is a strong advocate for the Southeast Asian community and, most especially, our large local Hmong community, acting as a potent force for
the healthy adjustment and integration of Southeast Asian students in our local community,” continued a fifth student.
Students continued, one after another, to list Her’s achievements, including her role in the creation of a Hmong language class for native speakers at East
High School; her role as coordinator of the SEA (Southeast Asian) Attendance initiative, a program working to improve SEA student attendance; her
involvement in the Asian College and Career Fair; and her efforts to bring national educational specialists, such as Tou Ger Xiong, to Madison.
Her first looked surprised as students began commending her many achievements and then rather humbled as she read the plaque from the City. The
students she has worked with handed her flower after flower.
While Her has provided many valuable experiences and services to Madison’s Southeast Asian population, Nigh asserts that perhaps, most importantly, she
has given Southeast Asian students back their identity.
“I think that students who don’t have roots or don’t connect to those roots, have a harder time getting going in life,” Nigh said. “Knowing who you are,
connecting with your past and with family, gives kids a psychological strength that is so important.”
For that, and so much more, we commend Her for all she has done to better the lives of Southeast Asian students, their families, and the community.
| Laura Salinger is a freelance writer based in Madison, Wis. |
(Clockwise from top left) The award
surprises Choua Her; Spelling Bee
contestants; a student reads part of the
proclamation; a group shot of participants
and teachers/staff
surprises Choua Her; Spelling Bee
contestants; a student reads part of the
proclamation; a group shot of participants
and teachers/staff
by Laura Salinger
Choua Her has a day to call her very own. May 31 was officially
declared Choua Her Day by the Mayor and the Common Council of
the City of Madison in recognition of Her’s tireless service to
Madison’s Southeast Asian population.
As MMSD’s (Madison Metropolitan School District) Hmong
Community Liaison in the Division of ESL (English as a Second
Language) and Bilingual Education, Her spends her days working
with Hmong students and their families. It is her efforts to go above
and beyond the call of duty, however, which has caught the
attention of her colleagues and the city.
“I’ve worked with Choua since she started here in Madison,” East
High School Guidance Counselor Joe Nigh said. “She has made
such a huge difference in the lives of Southeast Asian students.”
Nigh nominated Her for the city’s special recognition and
nineteen alders and the mayor subsequently sponsored his petition.
Nigh asserted that there were countless reasons to nominate Her.
He lauded her dedication to helping Hmong students and their
families succeed; her drive to empower students and develop
Choua Her has a day to call her very own. May 31 was officially
declared Choua Her Day by the Mayor and the Common Council of
the City of Madison in recognition of Her’s tireless service to
Madison’s Southeast Asian population.
As MMSD’s (Madison Metropolitan School District) Hmong
Community Liaison in the Division of ESL (English as a Second
Language) and Bilingual Education, Her spends her days working
with Hmong students and their families. It is her efforts to go above
and beyond the call of duty, however, which has caught the
attention of her colleagues and the city.
“I’ve worked with Choua since she started here in Madison,” East
High School Guidance Counselor Joe Nigh said. “She has made
such a huge difference in the lives of Southeast Asian students.”
Nigh nominated Her for the city’s special recognition and
nineteen alders and the mayor subsequently sponsored his petition.
Nigh asserted that there were countless reasons to nominate Her.
He lauded her dedication to helping Hmong students and their
families succeed; her drive to empower students and develop
leaders in the Southeast Asian community; and her efforts to educate the
community about the Hmong culture and language.
“Her life is devoted to helping students develop themselves, helping them get to
know themselves, and getting them involved in activities,” Nigh said.
Her doesn’t just encourage students and families to get involved in activities;
she has been instrumental in creating and coordinating many special events for
the Hmong community. In fact, Her was surprised with the news that May 31 was
to be “her” day while hosting the First annual Hmong Spelling and Word Bee, an
event she helped develop and coordinate.
The Bee, held at East High School, featured a word bee for elementary
community about the Hmong culture and language.
“Her life is devoted to helping students develop themselves, helping them get to
know themselves, and getting them involved in activities,” Nigh said.
Her doesn’t just encourage students and families to get involved in activities;
she has been instrumental in creating and coordinating many special events for
the Hmong community. In fact, Her was surprised with the news that May 31 was
to be “her” day while hosting the First annual Hmong Spelling and Word Bee, an
event she helped develop and coordinate.
The Bee, held at East High School, featured a word bee for elementary