EMILY NGUYEN - GARDEN GROVE'S OUTSTANDING TEEN 2009

Emily Nguyen
Garden Grove’s Outstanding Teen 2009

Emily is a 16-year-old high school junior.  She is a member of the American Red Cross, Make-a-Wish, California Scholarship Federation, and Alzheimer’s Association clubs at her school.

Dancing has always been a passion for Emily and she continues to pursue this passion by being a part of her school’s Dance Production along with attending ballet class weekly.  She has taken ballet since the 4th grade and began taking ballet en pointe last year.  Dancing has taught Emily poise and confidence.

Emily is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate.  She is enrolled in many IB and AP classes.  Despite her college level workload, she is still able to have one of the top 100 GPAs within her entire high school and was recognized for doing so through Rotary Club.

Emily is the fundraising coordinator of American Red Cross, and she is involved in organizing the bi-annual blood drive for her school.  She assisted in reestablishing the Make-a-Wish club by reinstating it as an active club.  Now she is the vice president and hopes to grant a wish for a child with a life-threatening illness.

Community service is a large part of Emily’s high school experience as well.  She volunteers at St. Jude Medical Center in the Mother/Baby unit and hopes to become a pediatrician when she grows up.  She is also the treasurer of the Youth Leadership Team at St. Jude’s.  Emily volunteers at a local nursing home as well.  She works with people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

She has been able to motivate her peers to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s through the club that she co-founded:  Alzheimer’s Association.  She is now co-president, and the club has various events to promote awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.

Emily is excited about her upcoming year as Miss Garden Grove’s Outstanding Teen, and hopes to promote her platform, Alzheimer’s Awareness, during her year of service.