I remember the days when I first went to Benson from getting ready to have my photo taken for the year book, to registering for classes. It was nerve wrecking for a timid and sheltered boy as myself. My classmate then would describe me as a humble and reserved kind of person.
I was the kid that sat in the back of the room chewing on my t-shirt collar.
I never would have imagined then the kinds of leadership position I would take, the places I would go, and the differences I would make in the world. In contrast to my 180 degrees persona, I have grown out of my exterior into an independent man with positive goals and ambitions to tackle. I credit this positive change within me to the teachers, staffs, and the infrastructure at Benson. I truly believe it was through Benson that I was able to attain a better self-esteem in an inviting and welcoming community.
I know teachers at Benson pour their hearts into the programs to make sure students have a chance at a good, solid education. I remember a quote from one of my teacher in response to a student’s complaint, “If you’re going to do it, do the best that you can. Make something out of it so that your time is not wasted, because in the end you’ll go through the tunnel either way.” It was a pivotal moment for me to click from something so mundane and simple, yet profound. This was because the way it was presented by our teacher, it showed me that she cared not only about the program that she teaches at Benson, but also about the students, and not because she had to, but because she believes in our potentials.
Portland Public School (PPS) teachers are underpaid, but they continue to provide tireless service to PPS students. Benson teachers are top-notch educators within PPS (based on the four years that I was present at Benson). They are still there to guide the way for the next generation, to make sure the torch remain lit. They are the ones who build the “men” in Techmen. I can attest to this because I have witnessed the sincere effort and strength that teachers at Benson Polytechnic invest in to keep it running at the top of its kind in our nation.
My classmates and I are the fruits of success. Benson graduates have branched out in all direction, but no matter how high we reach, we still bond under the same name at the root, and that is Benson. My story is no more special than the average Joe in town, but like the rest of my peers who graduated from Benson, we are the proof that the rate of successful students who graduated from Benson is unprecedented.
In the fall of 2006 I traveled to Barcelona, Spain to pursue my study of Spanish / Latin American language and culture. It was not easy being the only Asian-American kid on the program, but I persevere through the high and low tides of the program because Benson taught me to be a persistent individual regardless of where I am in the world. I learned this skill through my involvement with the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) program at Benson. On my return from the program in 2007, I continued my interest in Latin American study and merged it with my health interest by actively participating with the Global Medical Brigade of Portland State University (PSU). I traveled south to Honduras where I act as one of the translators for the program as well as supporting member of the program for that year. There in Honduras, I remembered the reason why I applied to Benson: to get an early start on my medical career aspiration via HOSA. I was reminded of this passion when I was working with the children from Honduras who taught me to not forsake what I have in my life and not to take it in vain.
Today, I am finishing up my Bachelor of Science in Organismal Biology at PSU as well as a minor in Chemistry and Spanish. I continue to work as an advocate for underprivileged students and students of ethnic minority, as I come from the same background. Benson gave me a chance at success. I remain hopeful that future Benson graduates will get to experience the same great opportunity that I once received in the four great years I had at Benson.
Sincerely,
Bao N. Vuong, Benson Polytechnic High School Alumnus 2005
Vietnamese Student Association President 2008-2009
Portland State University
