Harris Luu

My father gave his life for Vietnam, and I have dedicated my life to Educating Youth.

My father was an honored soldier in Vietnam. The horrible war that took the lives of over 1,000,000 Vietnamese and 60,000 Americans took the life of my father. To escape a similar fate, my Grandparents escaped with me to America, leaving my mother behind.

It was hard to be without my mother for so many years. Growing up in Florida I struggled to adapt to America. Part of me still struggles to understand all of the pain I felt as a young child. I did not reunite with my mother until I was 16 years old. Although seeing my mother again was a dream I always had, so many years apart grew a strain on us. It was hard at first, but we have a great relationship now.

It is not a stretch to say I had a hard time fitting in Miami, Florida. I was one of the only Vietnamese children in the neighborhood and school. However, I learned from my family the values of honor and persistence. I learned to be strong and work hard for a better life -- one I hoped I could share with my mother.

Once my mother arrived in the US, we both moved to California where my mother struggled in the service industry. She currently works 6 days a week as a manicurist to provide a better life for my sister. I have always admired her strength, not only in working so hard to give me a better life, but in dealing with the loss of my father and our separation. Perhaps that is what motivates me to work towards the dream I have and live now.

I now have an education degree from USC, and I have been an adjunct faculty member at CSUDH. Currently, I am Assistant Principle at Oscar De La Hoya Animo Charter High School. The passion I have for helping immigrant youth adjust and work hard in school to secure a better life is as strong as the passion I have to make sure as educators we deal professionally and ethically with all students. I do everything in my power to make sure we build the kind of society that values and rewards the passion, honor, work ethic, and family values of immigrants and do not ridicule or take advantage of it.