Vinh Le is a good singer and actor. Having participated in the Cy-Fair Choir for the past three years, he has developed a warm and tender voice complemented by a strong stage presence. Such training at Cy- Fair has helped Vinh won Fourth Place in the State Choir out of thousands of contestants throughout the State of Texas. His other talents include the ability to make commitments and the courage to follow through on those obligations no matter how difficult the challenges may be.

At home, my wife Young and I always teach our children to be fearless in facing obstacles in life. Vinh learns this well and applies it to his academic curriculum. He has always signed up for the most difficult classes and excelled in them. Vinh is good in mathematics and science, even though his heart is in music and arts. We hope that Vinh would follow his heart in college with the discipline that he had developed throughout his years at Cy-Fair.

The Choir of Cy-Fair High School does many community services throughout the years. As part of the Team, Vinh visits hospitals and nursing homes and entertains the residents and workers with songs and music. Vinh also participates in music programs for churches, gathering halls and shopping malls during the Holidays. He gives them his time and talents bringing joy to many folks throughout the areas.

What are the first two words you would use to describe your son?

Perfectionist -- Vinh is a perfectionist. While he tolerates mediocrity in other people, he sets the highest standard for himself.

Proper -- Vinh is exceptionally polite and courteous. He carries himself with dignity and expects those around him to be respectable as well.

List one or two of your child's significant qualities/characteristics: the briefly describe incidents/events/situations which illustrate these strengths.

Vinh is hard working and determined, yet he knows how to enjoy life and be generous to those around him.

Ever since a little boy, Vinh was always cheerful. He loved to sing and dance and entertained people around him. So much energy within him that Young enrolled him into Gymnastic School at an early age, where he trained diligently and excelled in all events. He soon became one of the tops in his gymnastics class. He traveled throughout Houston and later competed regionally and nationally; and his Team had won many significant awards and commendations.

At one of these competitions, the teams from Dallas and Austin were very strong and led the score board in most of the events. While Vinh and his Team were not far behind, the prospect of winning were difficult to achieve. Hurdling with his teammates, Vinh told them to focus not on the scoreboard but on the last two events. The following event of the meet was one of the most feared events for all little gymnasts: the parallel bars. The Dallas Team with big and strong boys did very well. They showed total control of the bars and nailed every landings. From the floor of the gymnasium, Vinh looked up to his Mom, and I saw Young silently mouthed, "You can do it". We both knew that parallel bars is not his strongest event. As Vinh turned back to the floor, I could read the determination in his gesture. When it came time for the Cypress Team, Vinh went first for his Team, put in a solid performance, and earned a near perfect score boosting the morale of the Team. The boy followed Vinh also did well. With the momentum, the Cypress Team went on and even up the scores with the Dallas Team. The last event was one of Vinh's favorites: the floor exercise. Again, Vinh went first in the floor event and did a beautiful routine earning a perfect score for his Team. The crowd went wild anticipating an upset. Vinh looked up to the stand and gave his Mom and slight smile of victory. Young was in heaven. The rest of the Team followed and won the floor event decisively. They also won the meet that day.

On the First Place stand, his teammates gave him the huge trophy, pushed Vinh to the front and raised his arms celebrating their triumph. Cameras flashed and people applauded throughout. In the middle of the celebration on the stand, Vinh jumped off, ran to his coach and gave the trophy to his coach, who was standing off to the side. The gentle coach bended down and gave Vinh a hug. The crowd exploded in applaud. Young put her hands to her mouth stunned by the kind gesture. A small tear trickled down her face. I looked and saw many wet eyes all around.

Explain how your child has reacted to any unusual circumstances/situations in the life of your family.

Vinh was a happy kid. He was always singing and dancing. The world was his stage and everyone was his audience. One day, as he singing and jumping around with his cousins, he tripped and fell hard against the cast stone coffee table in our living room. The cut on his chin was deep and Young rushed him to the emergency room.

I caught up with Young and Vinh at the emergency room. Young was holding Vinh tightly with a blood soaked towel wrapped around his jaw. Vinh's big round eyes looked up at me pained and scared, but he did not cry. Young was all shaken, but tried to remain calm to give him assurance. As the doctor and nurses took Vinh into the OR, Young cried on my shoulder and said, "The cut was very deep and he must have been in so much pain, but he tried and did not cry. Vinh tried to keep me from panic." Holding her, I can tell how much pain it must be for Vinh by the quivering voice and the anguish face of a dear mother and of my dear wife.

From that day forward, Young and I continue to notice how determined and how much self-control that Vinh has. While we are convinced that he has the discipline and determination to be successful in life, we also know that his compassion for others and his can-do attitude will uplift those around him. We wish Vinh to be a great leader one day, and we also wish Vinh to continue pursue his passion for life. We know he will be at his best in front of the crowd. His performance and his work will be flawless.

But no matter how triumphant Vinh would be, no matter how much limelight shining on his face, no matter how his voice stirring up the crowd; the slight scar on his lower chin would be the private unbroken bond between him and his Mom.

Give any other information about your child that you would like to share.

Vinh is a native Houstonian and a second-generation immigrant, as both Young and I were born and raised in Vietnam prior to the ending of the Vietnam War. He is the first male grandkid in my greater Asian family and is the middle child in ours. Vinh has an older sister named Van, who is a senior at the University of Texas in Austin, and a younger brother named Minh, who is a sophomore at Cy-Woods High School. Vinh traveled widely within the US and has been to many cities in France, Britain and Italy. His passion is in arts and music and has always achieved academic and extra curriculum excellence in schools.

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