College: UCLA
Career goal: User experience designer
About Nancy: Nancy Her is the child of Hmong immigrants from Laos and Thailand. Nancy remembers realizing in elementary school that her family was very poor, as she compared her lunch of rice and bits of meat to what other students had. While she was ashamed at the time, she now appreciates her parents’ hard work and sacrifices for their children. Nancy said, “Out of my mother’s love, I was able to grow so much and appreciate the life I have today.” Thinking about the two-bedroom apartment that she shares with her parents, three siblings, and her grandmother, she said, “Though it seems like there’s little air to breathe, I am grateful for close company.”
At Sunnyside High School, Nancy immersed herself in activities and leadership roles. She will attend UCLA and pursue a career as a user experience/user interface (UX/UI) designer for websites. She also wants to create an app for Fresno Unified that provides safety and mental health support to students, parents, staff, and teachers.
In Nancy’s words: “I am prepared to make sacrifices and confront difficult circumstances in order to thrive and have the best experience in college, while working towards my future to support my family.”
“Nancy embodies the spirit of hidden brilliance; her demeanor may appear quiet or shy to those who do not know her, but Nancy’s captivating wit and genuine warmth effortlessly draw people in. With creativity as her guide and determination as her fuel, she navigates through academics, athletics, leadership, and community engagement with admirable finesse. Nancy is the embodiment of a well-rounded student whose impact resonates far beyond the classroom.”
– Beth Wheeler, teacher at Sunnyside High School
