Nong Khai Scholarship

This scholarship was made possible and donated by Chue T. Vang and Joy Thao in loving memory of Nong Khai Junior Vang.

Nong Khai Junior Vang was the younger brother of the President/CEO and Founder of HAEF, Chue T. Vang.  Khai was born on July 4th, 1975 in the Nong Khai Refugee Camp in Thailand to Neng Chue Vang and Mai Yia Xiong.  Khai was only four years old when the family resettled in Omaha NE, in 1979.  Then in 1981, Khai and his family moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin where Khai grew up.  He attended Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle Schools, Oshkosh North High, and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education.  

Khai was a Hmong immigrant, but he was also a classic all-around American youth.  He respected and transcended culture by making friends with all those with whom he came into contact. Khai felt comfortable and confident wherever he went and whatever circle he was in.  He joined soccer, and basketball teams, and a college fraternity and lived in Mexico City for a year.  In school, he worked and studied hard, and he was resilient.  As a motivator, Khai always wanted to outperform academically his two older brothers to satisfy his own competitive drive.  

Khai was also known to many of his close friends as Junior, a nickname given to him as a youngster on the soccer field and one that stuck with him for life.  When Khai officially became a citizen of the United States, he added the name Junior to his birth name.    

Khai was the favorite uncle and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews.  He organized birthday parties, trips, and even went as far as showing off how cute his nieces were on dates with his female friends.  One of Khai’s last outings was at a community golf event where he got the chance to meet up and took pictures with his lifelong sports ideal, Michael Jordan.  Shortly after, Khai caught an illness, and his American journey came to an end.  In October 2006, because of a medical error, Khai passed away at the age of 31.  He never married and did not have any children of his own.  He was buried next to his grandmother in Oshkosh.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.  This legacy memorial scholarship was donated by Khai’s family, loved ones and friends.  

This scholarship is presented by the Hmong American Education Fund.  The scholarship seeks to financially support a dedicated Hmong student in the pursuit of his/her higher educational goals.  The successful applicant will be awarded up to $500.00 to the choice of his or her college or university.