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UW-Eau Claire photo by Bill Hoepner |
Bee Xiong
- Eau Claire , Wis.
- BSW (bachelor of social work)
- What's next: Pursuing her master's degree in social work
As a woman with immense stage fright, it was especially challenging for Bee Xiong to overcome her fears and cohost the Hmong Community Fellowship Banquet at UW-Eau Claire last March.
"They felt that I would be a great representative, however I have extreme stage fright and did not want to do it," Xiong said. "I don't think they knew that I was a different person on stage versus off stage."
Xiong initially declined the offer to host the event, even though she believed in the dinner's theme, "Hmong: Beyond Refugees," and felt that as UW-Eau Claire's Hmong Student Association vice president she had a lot to offer. But she eventually agreed to co-host the banquet.
"I was extremely nervous, but it turned out to be great," Xiong said. "I met a lot of very interesting people from the community."
Xiong also is proud of progress that was made during her involvement with the Hmong Student Association. Because of a threatening incident that happened at one of the organization's events about 10 years ago, restrictions had been placed on HSA events, including the enforcement of a dress code, the use of metal detectors and the presence of uniformed police officers. Last year a series of meetings between HSA representatives and the University Police resulted in the restrictions being lifted for the first time at the group's annual spring dance.
More on Bee Xiong
Future plans: I am in the process of applying to attend graduate school at UW-Milwaukee next fall for my master's of social work degree. I would also like to get certified in marriage and family counseling. Meanwhile, I plan to relocate to Milwaukee and get some work experience. I want to work with disadvantaged ethnic minority groups, particularly women and children. I also want to work with individuals with behavioral health problems in a medical setting.
What she liked most about her time at UW-Eau Claire: I liked and appreciated all the opportunities and services provided at UW-Eau Claire, including clubs and organizations, study abroad programs, academic skills help, an amazing library, the Artists Series, theater, art and music, diagnostic testing, service-learning, plus many more.
Highlights of life at UW-Eau Claire: I enjoyed studying abroad in Lancaster, England, in spring 2004. I had a few wonderful years being involved with the Hmong Student Association. I also enjoyed playing intramural volleyball during many semesters.
Proudest college accomplishments: The first was helping to improve the security situation at Hmong Student Association events. For many years now, HSA has had many "security" restrictions put on it due to a threatening incident that occurred at one of its events about 10 years ago. Many HSA students and university personnel tried for years to fight this. Finally, last year, following a series of meetings between HSA representatives and the University Police, HSA's annual spring dance was the first event in a very long time to be without a dress code, metal detectors and full uniformed police officers at the entrance. That was a proud moment for HSA, as well as for me. My other proud moment was cohosting the Hmong Community Fellowship Banquet last year. I met a lot of very interesting and wonderful people from the community. On a more on a personal level, however, it was a moment that made me especially proud of myself.
Advice for incoming students: My advice for success to incoming students is to find a balance between your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual being. It's easier said than done and it may take all the years at UW-Eau Claire or longer. But to be clear, success is subjective and depends on your own definition. Having said that, I believe that success comes when a person is satisfied with the balance in his or her life.
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