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Pong lived in Laos and attended kindergarten in a Chinese School
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Pong spent two years in a Thai refugee camp during her first and second-grade years. She didn't attend school This is her first picture of herself when she entered the camp. Almost all belongs had to be left behind when they escaped.
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Pong started school in the U.S. in the 3rd grade. She was provided all instruction in her native language - Laos.
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Pong went to Kimball Middle School in Elgin. She was provided both Laos and English classes.
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Pong was mainstreamed into English classes at Elgin High School. She also took two years of Spanish classes
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Pong attended NIU. She took 1 semester of Spanish, 1 semester of Thai and 2 semesters of Mandarin Chinese. She graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development in 1996.
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Pong currently is fleunt in English, 95% fluent in Laos, and 50% fluent in Chinese. Her children speak 99% of the time in English.
