Who We Are

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Khanh Pham (Con Fahm), 20, is a junior at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. She came to the U.S. at age 3, fleeing Vietnam on a boat with her mother, an older brother and a younger sister. While in high school, she was active in student government and in numerous community service programs. Khanh is planning a career in public affairs.

Tomoko Tanikawa (To-MO-ko Tah-nee-KAH-wah), 18, graduated from Westtown School in Westtown, Pa., in June 1996. She was born in Yokohama, Japan, and attended private school before coming to the U.S. in 1994. Success in English classes in Japan prompted her interest in attending boarding school here. She plans to attend college in the U.S.

Marisa Matsudaira (Mah-RIS-ah Mat-soo-DARE-ah), 18, was born in the U.S. Her father is from Japan and her mother is an American of Dutch heritage. A graduate of Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, N.C., Marisa was a member of the Writer's Guild and the Debate Club.

Genevieve Siri (JEN-e-veev See-ree), 24, is a recent graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Her family moved from Laos to the United States when she was 4 years old. She is especially interested in pursuing work in public policy as it relates to immigrants.

Clifford Song, 18, is a graduate of South Lakes High School in Reston, Va. His parents came to the U.S. from South Korea. Clifford was born in the U.S., but he lived in South Korea for seven years while his father worked for the U.S. government in Seoul. Clifford was a class officer, president of the Environmental Club and active in sports.

Villy Phoummitone (Villy POOM-i-TONE) is 16 years old and a junior at South Lakes High School in Reston, Va. Her family left Laos and came to Virginia when Villy was 3. She is the youngest of 10 children. Villy has been active in student government and in cheerleading. She would like to pursue a career in medicine.

June Liang (June Lee-AHNG), 18, was born in the U.S. Her parents immigrated from Taiwan. A graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va., June was active in choir, dance, Student Council, Asian Awareness Club and Martial Arts Club. She intends to study international relations and Chinese.

My Lien Nguyen (My LEEN Win), 21, is a graduate of South Lakes High School in Reston, Va. She left Vietnam in 1991 with her family of 10. They spent seven months in a refugee camp before moving to California. They came to Virginia in 1992. Before leaving Vietnam, My Lien spoke no English. She hopes to get a degree in pharmacology.

Dhayal Jayaseelan (Dah-YAHL Jay-yay-SEE-lan), 17, was born in Madras, capital of Tamil Nadu, in India. He moved to the U.S. when he was 3. He understands Tamil but no longer speaks it well. Dhayal was the student government president at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. He plays drums in his own rock band.

Raquel Andres (Rah-KEL AN-dres), 16, is a junior at South Lakes High School in Reston, Va. She was born in the U.S. to Filipino parents. She speaks English at home with her mother. Raquel participates in the school's Leadership program and in athletics.