COVINA, CA – Covina High School senior Kevin Nguyen will take his studies to the East Coast in fall 2023 after applying early decision and receiving admission to New York University (NYU) for his impactful academic and personal achievements.

Nguyen is a first-generation Asian American student whose parents emigrated from Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Nguyen began learning crucial life skills at an early age, such as how to talk to insurance companies, assist in managing electric and water bills, set up doctor appointments, and translate important paperwork for his family at home due to his parents’ language barrier.

“Being raised in an immigrant and low-income family sculpted me to be the person that I am today,” Nguyen said. “I’m a person who paves his own path and isn’t afraid to stand up and raise questions.”

Nguyen has worked at his family’s nail salon since he was eight years old. He said this experience has given him insight into how a business operates and has inspired him to study business at NYU.

Nguyen was accepted into the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NYU, a school in which a student creates their own major by combining two subjects into one individualized major. Nguyen plans to integrate business and marketing with fashion and media.

“I’m not specifically sure what I want to do in the future, but I look forward to utilizing NYU’s resources and internship opportunities to follow in the sector of business,” Nguyen said. “NYU was my top choice because of the community’s diverse culture, its top business program, and the seemingly never-ending things to do in New York City.”

Aside from furthering his education, Nguyen said he is most excited about being in an ethnically diverse community, meeting new people, and participating in the many unique events that NYU hosts.

“One of the events that NYU throws annually is a Strawberry Festival where everyone gathers together and helps eat a 160-foot strawberry cake,” Nguyen said. “It doesn’t get any better than that!”

Nguyen is a 4.0 student and valedictorian candidate who has been deeply involved in school-life at Covina High since his freshman year – filling his time with numerous Advanced Placement classes and extracurricular activities. He has participated in Associated Student Body all four years of high school, was the vice president of the Film Society club in his junior year, is currently president of the Fashion club, and has been involved in Interact for the past two years.

Along with his early decision acceptance to NYU, Nguyen was one of two Covina-Valley Unified students who were chosen to receive a $2,500 scholarship from Capri Deli, a local Covina business, through the Covina Rotary Club. Nguyen said he is incredibly grateful to be chosen for this honor, as it helps to relieve some of the financial burden on his family of paying for NYU and helps him feel recognized and supported by the Covina-Valley community.

“We are incredibly proud of Kevin for all that he has accomplished at Covina-Valley Unified, and all that he will undoubtedly continue to accomplish at NYU,” Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer said. “Kevin is an outstanding student and has truly exemplified our District values and mission to provide educational excellence. We can’t wait to see what amazing things he will accomplish next!”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CVUSD_KEVIN1: Covina High School senior Kevin Nguyen was accepted to New York University (NYU) for his academic and personal achievements. Nguyen, a first-generation Asian-American student, will bring his unique skills and life experience to his education at NYU.

CVUSD_KEVIN2: Kevin Nguyen celebrates after receiving a $2,500 scholarship from Capri Deli, a local Covina business, through the Covina Rotary Club. Nguyen is one of two Covina-Valley Unified students to receive this scholarship due to his community service, academic achievements, and extracurricular success. This scholarship will help Nguyen further pursue his educational endeavors at New York University.