“Growing up in Pace, Florida, a city predominantly white, I faced ridicule for being Asian. I felt embarrassed because I was so different from my friends and peers because of the treatment I endured as a child. I wish I hadn’t blurted things like, “Why did we have to be Vietnamese?” to my parents. Since there was a lack of diversity in my community, I came into the University feeling a bit intimidated at first to join the Asian American community at Florida State. I was reluctant to engage or participate in the different cultural associations that FSU had to offer until my cousin at UCF encouraged me to join the Vietnamese Student Association. Being welcomed so warmly and greeted so kindly, it was a special moment in my life; a turning point to embrace being Vietnamese rather than shy away from it. At first I only joined the Miss Vietnam Pageant, it was the competition that ignited my passion for my culture. The more and more events I went to and participated in, I found myself not just doing it for the fun of it, but because I truly loved the community. Wanting to give back, I decided to join the executive board and from there, life became richer in experiences for me. I experienced positions in leadership where at points I felt like giving up. I found strength and motivation to keep going through my fellow Executive Board Members and my family. My family is always so kind and supportive, they taught me to be compassionate. I’m always driven to do my best for them, but also for myself. I’ve learned traits such as determination and perseverance, and these characteristics are the ones I believe contribute most to my success and accomplishments.”
– Mimi Huynh , FSU, 4th year | Recently caught up with her big!