NEENAH YANG'S involvement in TRiO began when she entered 9th grade at Washburn High School and for the past six years, she has been a model TRiO student. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm have infused all the programs in which she has participated. In 9th grade, Neenah joined St. Olaf Educational Talent Search, but she wasn't sold on the idea of the program. At first she didn't take it seriously, but by her sophomore year she realized, "This could be really good for me."

After her sophomore year, Neenah attended the Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth at Macalester College. Through this program she had the chance to live in the dorms and take a class at Macalester for two weeks during the summer. This experience allowed Neenah to see what life at a small college might be like. She was surrounded by talented, supportive people and had the opportunity to develop some independence being away from her family, getting up on her own and getting to class.

By her senior year, Neenah was visiting ETS Academic Advisors every day they were at Washburn and decided to pursue and education at a small college - St. Olaf College.

Neenah is a 2006 St. Olaf graduate. At St. Olaf she actively participated in the TRiO Student Support Services program on campus. SSS has become a family for her on campus. Coming from a culture where family is really important, the role of SSS has been instrumental in her life on campus. Through the SSS summer bridge program, Neenah learned how to prepare for her first year and met people that helped her adjust to college life. Neenah says that SSS Family Fun Nights were her favorite part of the program giving her a chance to talk, eat, and laugh with other TRiO students. She says SSS gave her a place to go.

Neenah's goals for the future include doing something good for her family and the Hmong community. She has already given back to the TRiO programs by working as an ETS office assistant and by serving as a mentor for ninth grade Educational Talent Search Students. As a mentor, Neenah felt she could help guide students to a stronger path and felt she really did something to make a difference in their lives. This summer Neenah worked as a residential advisor in the University of Minnesota Summer TRiO Upward Bound program where she successfully mentored and supervised high school TRiO students. No doubt Neenah will continue to make a difference for many other people as her enthusiasm carries her to a career in the social sciences.

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