Vivian Nguyen could have asked for virtually anything. But the Newhope Elementary School fifth-grader used her wish to help others.
Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Vivian, 10, recently requested a new sound system to amplify the voices of student performers in her school’s multi-purpose room. It was an act of altruism that will reverberate throughout Newhope for years to come.
Vivian, who has battled a brain condition that affects some motor functions, had her wish formally granted during a small ceremony in late January at the Garden Grove Unified campus. Gloria Jetter Crockett, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish’s Orange County and Inland Empire chapter, also brought school supplies for Newhope students, including markers, books and backpacks.
And to celebrate Vivian’s selfless act, Make-A-Wish and Brother International had another gift just for her — a brand-new MacBook Pro.
“Vivian has been an inspiration to all of us,” Newhope Principal Adam Bernstein said. ”She has shown tremendous grit and resilience while battling a difficult health condition and a challenging recovery. We are truly humbled by her generosity to make her wish on behalf of our school.”
Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters work through Make-A-Wish to fulfill wishes on behalf of children diagnosed with critical illnesses. The organization, which dates back to 1980, says a wish is granted approximately every 34 minutes in the U.S.
Vivian said she wanted to pay back her classmates, teachers and the school’s staff for the support they gave her during her time in the hospital. Even as she received medical treatment, she participated in Newhope’s Disney Musicals in Schools program, playing Rafiki in last year’s “Lion King” production.
Newhope teachers said they will refer to the school’s brand-new sound system as “Vivian’s Voice” in honor of its selfless benefactor.
Don’t forget to log your kind acts on the kindness1billion.org website, or download our free app for iOS and Android devices. For more on kindness, check out these stories we’ve shared on the OCDE Newsroom, including the “Exploring Kindness” episode of The Deeper Learning Podcast, hosted by Orange County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares.