Chong Bee and May Vang Living Legacy Scholarship

Chong Bee Vang and May Vang

Living  Legacy Scholarship

Chong Bee and May Vang immigrated to America in 1975 with little next to nothing. Being one of the first waves of Hmong Immigrants to Pennsylvania and then to Nebraska where their church sponsors provided them with instructors to teach them what was similar to ESL classes. This was their first introduction to education in the States, but they both are no stranger to education, Chong Bee and May have always attended school in Laos and believed in higher education. After completing the ESL classes, they were able to find work. Soon after this, more relatives were arriving in Nebraska, but the ESL classes were no longer available. Realizing that without education for their relatives, they will not be able to provide for their families, Chong Bee made the decision to relocate all the family to Minnesota. 

Once settled in Minnesota Chong Bee went on to further his education. Enrolled in St. Paul Technical College, Chong Bee received his high school diploma. Continuing to Minneapolis Community College, he received his Associates of Science in 1984. Wanting to set a solid educational foundation for his growing family of 8 kids, he enrolled to St. Cloud State University and received his Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 1988. Chong Bee became involved working with Lao Family of Minnesota, Inc for 2 years before attending University of Minnesota to obtain his Masters of Social Work in 1992. Chong Bee wanted to help his Hmong people in the community. He took the Presidential seat of Lao Family from 1992-1997 and continued his social work with A Community Outreach Program, where he worked with troubled youth living in project homes from 1992-2000. 

May has always accelerated in school while living in Laos. May started enrolled in a 6 month English program once settled in Minnesota. She continued at Central High School, where she received her diploma. May went on to vocational school to earn her Banking and Finance certificate.  She soon took a job counselor position with Hmong Women Association. After a few years of working, Chong Bee and May decided to start their own business. With Chong Bee being the face, and May being the driving force behind, they both have been very successful owners of multiple business entities. All of this would not have come about without their strong background in school. 

This scholarship is presented by the Hmong American Education Fund.  The scholarship seeks to financially support two dedicated Hmong-American students (one male, one female) in the pursuit of their higher educational goals.  The successful applicants will be awarded up to $1500.00 each to the choice of his or her college or university.  The scholarship will be dispersed over four years.