Considerably less than six months after using the services of an outside the house agency for $450,000 to advise him on ways to strengthen the school district, Superintendent Tony Watlington is in search of to uncover another consultant to place Philadelphia “to be the quickest improving urban university district in the state,” in accordance to a ask for for proposal obtained by Chalkbeat.
The doc states the district seeks a specialist to review Philadelphia’s organizational construction to see how it compares to “the 25 most significant urban faculty districts and the 5 city college district[s] that are bettering the fastest on The Nation’s Report Card.”
The district issued the ask for Dec. 6 and set a Jan. 17 deadline. The expert would start in April and function as a result of April 2024.
Very last April, Watlington and the board of education and learning arrived less than scrutiny for using the services of the consulting firm Joseph and Associates to assist with the leadership changeover and support in developing a 5-year strategic prepare. Joseph began operate in June and will work by the finish of this faculty calendar year. The strategic system is because of up coming spring.
Watlington is conducting what he referred to as a comprehensive, three-section transition with committees billed with establishing a 5-12 months strategic system by upcoming spring. His transition group has produced 91 suggestions for enhancing the district.
Some critics of the Board of Education and district procedures questioned why yet an additional guide is required.
“Why do we require much more consultants and management companies and these out-of-town businesses when we have a staff,” requested Lisa Haver of the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Universities, who often questions board and district procedures.
But Michael Casserly, who retired after heading the Council of the Terrific City Colleges for virtually three a long time, claimed choosing consultants is prevalent exercise.
“My practical experience is that superintendents retain the services of a wide range of consulting companies for all types of points,” he explained. They do it because they have a lean central office or are searching for an “outside much more unbiased or aim review” in an energy to make public have confidence in, or both of those, he reported in an job interview. “It’s truly not that uncommon.”
Watlington, who turned Philadelphia’s school superintendent in June, has hardly ever operate a district this significant. He came from the Rowan-Salisbury university district in North Carolina, which had an enrollment of 18,000, a portion of Philadelphia’s 119,000 students in district faculties and 70,000 in charter educational facilities. Ahead of that he rose from custodian to history trainer to main of educational facilities in the 72,000-student Guilford County school process in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Dale Mezzacappa is a senior author for Chalkbeat Philadelphia, the place she handles K-12 faculties and early childhood education and learning in Philadelphia. Make contact with Dale at dmezzacappa@chalkbeat.org
A student asks thoughts in the course of an on line class at Andong Principal University in Chengjiang city, Du”an Yao autonomous county, South China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous location. [Photo by Wei Liangyan/China Daily]
Rural universities in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous area get connected to much more facilities and give learners higher prospects, report Yang Feiyue and Zhang Li in Nanning.
Zhang Jingwen experienced her prayer answered at an on the internet room vacation class. The 12-12 months-previous received to master about theories and anecdotes guiding the Shenzhou XIV manned spaceship from a scholar thousands of kilometers away from her village residence.
Not a new notion for several urban children, on-line education was a novelty to Jingwen and a lot of of her rural counterparts.
Jingwen, a sixth-grader at Andong Primary University in Chengjiang town, Du’an Yao autonomous county, South China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous area, relishes the knowledge she has acquired.
She jumped at the possibility, at the on the web session in early November, and questioned the professional on the other facet of the screen about the odds of her acquiring to converse with an alien.
The qualified didn’t give her a definitive respond to but piqued her curiosity to dig even more into the subject.
“I didn’t desire of owning the class on the subject matter and even getting a trainer to reply my questions,” says Jingwen.
She has been fascinated by the stars but discovered minor info, such as on Television, and there ended up no mastering resources at school, which has much more than 1,000 college students.
“Most of the students are from villages,” says Huang Zhaohua, the university headmaster.
Huang had been looking for techniques to strengthen the instructing capability and bought what she wished for when she uncovered that an on-line classroom plan was making intriguing effects in Du’an county’s Gaoling city, about 30-moment drive absent.
The program delivers rural educational institutions obtain to quality education from the cities.
It all started when Chen Yanhui came on the scene.
Following finishing his doctoral diploma in bodily electronics at Peking College in 2018, Chen engaged in superior-tech get the job done at the Guangxi enhancement and reform fee.
In April final yr, Chen was sent by the commission to Jiaquan village, Gaoling, as a to start with Celebration secretary.
When he paid a pay a visit to to Jiaquan Most important School, the only instructing location in the village, the 35-12 months-previous was heartbroken by what he saw.
It was the wet period in May, the mountain humidity shrouded the training location that was hidden in the mountain. “The university student dorm developing was situated on the hillside and some windows ended up damaged, permitting humidity right into the area,” Chen recollects.
As he touched the quilts, some of them had been so damp h2o could be wrung out of them.
That was when he determined to improve the school’s infrastructure as a subject of urgency.
Less than advice from the social business bureau with Guangxi’s civil affairs section, Chen determined to operate with the Guangxi Youth Enhancement Basis.
Much more than 1.2 million yuan ($172,400) was employed to update the school and to build a library, calligraphy room and a reading through garden.
WATERVILLE — Police and Waterville Public Faculties officials are investigating a case involving racist graffiti painted on the exterior of Albert S. Hall University on Pleasurable Street.
The graffiti, prepared in black, was seemingly spray-painted someday between Thursday evening and Friday morning on the again side of the college, Assistant Superintendent Peter Hallen explained Saturday.
“It was the ‘N’ term and type of a crude illustration of male genitalia, and it was at least 8 feet throughout and a few of feet significant,” he reported.
Hallen stated it is essential that the educational institutions and group do the job collectively to deal with the issue and distribute awareness, as it is not just a school subject, but a community one.
“This is a general public constructing,” he claimed. “Every resident and taxpayer, and anyone who comes to function in Waterville is portion of this.”
University officers on Friday morning notified law enforcement of the incident, which was described by somebody who drives by the college regularly and observed the graffiti, Hallen explained. Law enforcement Officer Linda Smedberg, the former school useful resource officer, responded rapidly, according to Hallen, who mentioned a university custodian quickly positioned a tarp around the graffiti.
Hallen notified pupils, faculty employees and mother and father by e mail that officials learned Friday of a “severely disturbing racial slur,” that had been spray-painted on the university.
“While it was not directed at an specific and implied no menace of hurt, this cowardly and racist act affronts all of us and all the things we are dedicated to as a school community,” Hallen wrote in that e-mail.
Following evidence was gathered, the city’s Public Operates Department painted above the graffiti, which was on a wooden part of the again of the school, Hallen said. He encourages everyone with more information and facts to contact police.
“While it was a priority to get rid of the racist graffiti ahead of learners returned to school, this is not an sign that we have moved on from the incident,” Hallen stated. “We will not tolerate associates of our neighborhood getting focused based on their identities.”
He reported officers will continue to perform with faculty civil rights groups, staff, pupil leaders and leaders in the group to react to the incident and other people like it to make absolutely sure the faculties and metropolis are welcoming and safe for everybody.
“To realize this, we need to appear with each other as a group to denounce hateful steps and to guidance and embrace associates of our group who are topic to this sort of conduct,” his e-mail suggests. “We really encourage all of you to be proactive ought to you come upon behavior that conflicts with the Maine Human Legal rights Act and/or threatens your or an individual else’s sense of protection.”
Hallen mentioned Saturday that he and Faculties Superintendent Eric Haley have spoken and they prepare to convene the college administrative staff following week to come up with a faculty-by-faculty system, not to handle just this incident, but other harassment and racially-enthusiastic habits.
Previous yr, civil rights groups have been recognized in all educational institutions and that energy was headed up by Hall Faculty teacher Cathy Lovendahl. Hallen also spoke with her soon after Friday’s discovery.
“We begun to talk about some greater suggestions all around what faculties want to do and how faculties might be in a position to lover with the group to do some recognition and education and learning for most people,” he claimed.
Lovendahl sent an email Saturday to all Waterville educational institutions employees stating that, on behalf of all university civil legal rights teams and as customers of the school local community and Waterville citizens, “we denounce this racist act.”
“On behalf of the Albert S. Hall College local community we offer you an apology, solidarity and assist to our Black college students and households,” Lovendahl wrote. “The Albert S. Corridor University strives to be a safe and sound and welcoming place for college students of colour and we will not tolerate this discriminatory and disrespectful language. Hate has no location in this faculty. We will use this as an option to remind ourselves why we are below. This is an chance for education, a time to remind ourselves that we, as a university group, stand for regard and inclusion.”
Feasible methods persons can choose, Hallen suggested parents, college students and personnel, involve reporting hateful acts or incidents of discrimination that effect a college staff members member or pupil to a making administrator. Men and women may also report on the anonymous suggestion link which is available on the schools’ site: https://wtvl.aos92.org/.
Waterville Junior and Senior substantial colleges also have access to the Say Some thing application that gives an nameless system for reporting considerations about personal or school security, according to Hallen. He recommends individuals report quickly something they feel compromises faculty basic safety or that might be felony in mother nature. The Waterville Police Office may perhaps be achieved at 680-4700.
“This incident is the latest reminder that malicious dislike and willful ignorance remain widespread in our metropolis and faculties,” Hallen’s e mail to the faculty local community states. “I want to point out clearly that we are steadfast in our dedication to fostering a school group that is secure and welcoming for people today of all backgrounds, activities and identities. But we need to have your assist. You should do not be reluctant to get to out to me or any of our group leaders with strategies, issues or fears.”
“Officer Smedberg is investigating this circumstance,” stated interim police Main Bill Bonney. “I would encourage everyone in the local community with information and facts to call her so we can convey this investigation to a thriving conclusion. We choose any dislike criminal offense committed in our local community pretty very seriously and we can’t tolerate any individual or group being focused because of the coloration of their skin.”
« Previous
Some college officials say scholar behaviors have enhanced since past yr. Other people reported it is grown worse.
Gurus from an interview with some of the training players on ‘A look at the year 2023 on schooling. Some of the authorities witnessed that more than 70 for each cent growth in youthful pros aimed to upskill by themselves, indicating the developing have to have for new-age electronic skills. Now the demand is of knowledge science, analytics, technology and administration programs. Offer chain management, cyber safety, comprehensive stack development, info science and electronic advertising and marketing. And goal to focus on producing holistic discovering activities backed by a entire ecosystem of very participating programmes, satisfactory discovering assets and leading-of-the-line technologies to help our learners to upskill competently.
Technology will make admissions & studying system more personalised
The integration of academic technological innovation accelerated in the very last two a long time, with Covid being the catalyst. Norms of social distancing disregarded all varieties of classic education. Technological innovation spearheaded the transform and remodeled education at each rung of the ladder. On the other hand, a lot of corporations went down on their knees as the pandemic waned and the quest for in-human being education and learning strengthened. But the impression of the waning pandemic was not uniform. The product of organization identified the influence.
Abroad training consultants observed their footing escalating strong as the pandemic waned and a lot more international pupils were being decided to review abroad in pursuit of a far better excellent of life and prospects. 2023 will convey far more success to the study abroad ecosystem as nations warm up to extra intercontinental learners and college students examine new territories to chart their lives. Technological innovation would make the admissions and learning procedure more personalised and inclusive. Transformative systems like gamification, nano understanding, and metaverse will seep into the understanding narratives of tomorrow, bringing in paradigm shifts in instruction and making increased chances for learners.
— Ashish Fernando, CEO, and Founder, iSchoolConnect
Lateral talent will be in desire
With digitalisation, the demand for tech talent is also expanding. Parallelly, technological innovation is evolving at these a fast speed that the new trends seem out-of-day prior to they even go live. The desire is now a lot more for hybrid or actual physical expertise fairly than entirely remote. Python was in desire in both 2020 and 2021 owing to the surge in digitalisation. Having said that, the 12 months 2022 witnessed a surge in demand from customers for Java mainly because of the hiring spree that is occurring in the non-tech sectors. Because the non-tech sector is selecting, there is a want for more experienced or lateral tech expertise which has brought down the selecting of freshers for tech roles. Non-tech sectors do not have the comprehension and the bandwidth for schooling fresh new expertise like the tech sectors have- consequently they desire lateral or expert talent. The lateral expertise is yet again more in demand from customers as a whole lot of reduced-degree tech expertise can be upskilled or reskilled. Expert pros should be inspired to upskill to remain abreast with the ever-evolving technologies. There are various lateral skill improvement systems to present an in-depth knowledge of the principles and enough know-how across domains. The tech expertise ought to opt for skill improvement programmes particularly the ones subsequent the experiential technique to make improvements to their employability.
— Narayan Mahadevan, Founder, BridgeLabz – an IP-pushed incubation lab aimed at nurturing engineering expertise and suggestions, Mumbai, Maharashtra
India needs to leverage the high quality of education
In the previous two years, how essential it is to keep India’s educators up to day on new resources and strategies to obtain the best mastering results with their pupils. Though educational institutions have resumed bodily, the ongoing Covid-19 condition signifies that we are not able to be complacent. It is critical to continue on India’s thrust to train the lecturers, to make sure they are totally organized for any eventuality. This thrust is not only vital for academics to impart education in more recent and more helpful methods, but also for their individual experienced development into seasoned and clever leaders. In 2023, we will keep on to see instructor schooling becoming prioritised by the federal government, as perfectly as instructional institutions. The sector is becoming revolutionised globally, and India requires to leverage this to uplift our excellent of training even further. To be a international chief in all spheres, it is essential for our country to be certain our educators are nicely-outfitted with all the understanding and abilities vital to build pupils into in a position leaders of our long run.
— Prodipta Hore, Director, Aditya Birla Instruction Academy
Tutorial college students to experience troubles
As learners came back to university in 2022, educational facilities across witnessed the emergence of new troubles. While, before, they were being struggling to cope with on the internet finding out and isolation from their social groups on resumption of actual physical courses, lots of felt the strain of heading back again to a faculty program they have been no lengthier utilized to. For some, the on-line instructing discovering experienced posed its very own worries therefore creating understanding gaps which compounded the problem of having ‘back to school’.
It is the duty of all educators to keep on to guidance them and tutorial them through the issues they have been facing, and assistance them optimise their prospective.
On the other hand, the two several years gone by have taught us classes in resilience and gratitude and whatever be the difficulties in upcoming, we would all be in a superior placement to handle adjust. There had been a considerable paradigm shift in the mother nature of instruction. In trying to keep the ideal of the two worlds, teachers will use e-games as nicely as other new pedagogical tactics to have interaction students thus building their finding out up to date and that’s why far more meaningful. 2023 will get us on to new journeys and we are all geared up to get the strides in the direction of excellence.
— Radhika Sinha, Principal, Aditya Birla Earth Academy
Offer top-tier instruction to learners
The introduction of new-age systems and client adoption has led to an exponential increase in on the web mastering. We have witnessed around 70 per cent growth in younger gurus aiming to upskill on their own, indicating the expanding need to have for new-age digital expertise. Our learners largely seek out finance, info science, analytics, know-how and management courses. Supply chain management, cyber security, comprehensive stack development, information science and electronic marketing and advertising skills are in significant need.
We are focusing on developing holistic mastering encounters backed by a finish ecosystem of remarkably partaking programs, satisfactory mastering assets and top-of-the-line technology to permit our learners to upskill proficiently. As a end result, 3 out of 4 of our learners landed a much better-shelling out job with about a 67 per cent wage hike. We will keep on providing best-tier schooling to our learners by collaborating with leading global establishments and introducing a lot more occupation-assurance programmes.
— Sonya Hooja, Director & Co – Founder, Imarticus Finding out, Mumbai, Maharasthra
AKRON, Ohio – Akron General public Colleges is continuing negotiations with the Akron Education and learning Association, the union that represents the district’s teachers, pursuing the union’s issuance of a 10-working day strike authorization this 7 days, the district declared.
The 10-day strike authorization is see of the union’s intent to strike in 10 days — Jan. 9, 2023. During that time, both of those sides will put together for a strike even though also doing work toward reaching an settlement on all exceptional contract troubles, in accordance to the district.
Akron Community College teachers have been functioning without the need of a agreement since July. Whilst equally functions have reached tentative agreement on several concerns, several stay, such as: wages, wellness insurance, extra unrestricted private leave days and “more distinct provisions for the definition of scholar assault as outlined in the neutral actuality finder’s report,” in accordance to a assertion from the district.
Faculty protection has been an ongoing problem in agreement negotiations pursuing new incidents of violence and bomb threats in the district. These incidents led Akron Training Affiliation President Pat Shipe to say the universities are “not safe” in a information release. Subsequent the incidents, the district introduced it is performing to update and put in much more security devices and protection.
To support communicate with dad and mom, the district on Friday introduced a web page that responses routinely asked issues about its strike preparation. Critical factors of the district’s designs include transitioning to on line instruction, whilst continuing to give meals, crisis childcare and psychological/physical health and fitness resources for pupils and family members if a strike happens.
Online studying
In the party of a strike, the district will pivot to on the net mastering, in accordance to the website. Students will be expected to entire the finding out, which includes alternatives for them to meet up with on the internet with an adult and independently total on the net classes at their personal tempo. When in-man or woman instruction is most popular, the online studying aligns with the district’s accredited blended discovering strategy.
Specified support centers
The district has selected 9 educational facilities to offer assistance and assistance to pupils and their people in the function of a strike. Four destinations will give food decide on-up, tech support and overall health expert services. Five areas will offer meal pick-up, tech help, overall health products and services and boy or girl care for pre-registered households.
Distinctive education learning
College students in the district’s MD and Achieve courses will receive paper assignments to full and return to university. Queries can be directed to the Place of work of Unique Education at 330-761-3146.
College athletics and clubs
In the event of a strike, all athletics methods, competitions and after-college golf equipment will be quickly suspended, in accordance to the district.
Unexpected emergency childcare
The district will offer you a confined selection of seats at Pupil Assistance Center areas for family members that require emergency childcare. If a strike seems imminent, the district will start a pre-registration system for people as soon as attainable.
Transportation expert services
The district will carry on to give transportation for eligible college students enrolled in non-APS universities in the event the strike takes place. Illustrations consist of learners enrolled in non-APS charter, group, personal, non-public or parochial universities, and college students with particular requirements who attend non-district faculties.
College or university programs
Courses provided by means of schools or universities will not be impacted by a prospective trainer strike. University courses taught by APS lecturers will not be held through the strike, but may perhaps have an modified timeline, in accordance to the district.
To continue reading this article and others for free, please sign up for our newsletter.
Sahan Journal publishes deep, reported news for and with immigrants and communities of color—the kind of stories you won’t find anywhere else.
Unlock our in-depth reporting by signing up for our free newsletter.
A generous group of donors is matching all donations to our end-of-year campaign. They’ve pledged $60,600 to match donations dollar-for-dollar through December 31. Become a Sahan Journal supporter now and double the impact of your gift.
The atrium of the Community School of Excellence in St. Paul was buzzing on the last Friday morning of the year, as students, faculty, and parents anticipated the arrival of Payengxa Lor, Miss Universe Laos, as part of her U.S. tour.
Payengxa, who will represent Laos in the 71st Miss Universe competition on January 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is ethnically Hmong and has garnered global support from the Hmong diaspora.
Kazoua Kong-Thao, the school’s chief administrative officer, instructed students and parents on what to do when Payengxa walked in. Students dressed in traditional Hmong garb flanked the entryway to welcome her.
Miss Hmong Minnesota, Leeanna Lauj (Lor), and the two runner-ups, Nkauj Mog Yaj (Yang) and Nkauj See Thoj (Thao), in their sashes and tiaras, also awaited Payengxa.
Once she arrived, Payengxa was met with applause and cheers from the school’s staff, students, and parents. They assembled themselves into a line for photos and selfies with the Miss Universe competitor, who greeted them with smiles and embraces.
Miss Universe Laos, Payengxa Lor, left, took a selfie with students and faculty of the Community School of Excellence during her December 2022 visit to the Twin Cities. Credit: Abdirahman Mohamed | Sahan Journal
Kazoua then gave Payengxa a tour of the Community School of Excellence, showcasing its efforts to promote and preserve Hmong culture.
The school was founded in 2007 by community members concerned about the loss of language and cultural knowledge Hmong children were experiencing in Minnesota. The Hmong language and culture charter school now has more than 1,500 students in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, and about 160 staff members.
Before working at the Community School of Excellence, Kazoua served on the St. Paul School Board. She also worked as equity and diversity director for Minneapolis Public Schools. In 2012, she was recruited by the Community School of Excellence to help with its expansion.
For Kazoua, the school is a place where Hmong children can find a place in the diaspora.
“Our children are learning the language, they’re learning the culture, and embracing what it means to be Hmong American in the United States. What it means to be Hmong in Minnesota,” she said.
“Our children are learning the language, they’re learning the culture, and embracing what it means to be Hmong American in the United States.”
Kazoua Kong-Thao, head of the Community School of Excellence, in St. Paul
Payengxa expressed delight in the cultural pride showcased throughout the school in the form of artwork and clothing worn by the students.
“I feel like I’m home,” she said. “I feel so impressed that wherever they are, they still remain who they are. They still always remember where they come from and who they are. They still keep all the culture, the language. I feel very happy seeing them love who they are and be proud of who they are.”
This trip was Payengxa’s first to the United States, although she is familiar with this country’s large Hmong immigrant population. Payengxa said she has extended family in Minnesota who have told her about the winters.
“What I heard and what I know is that Minnesota during the winter is so cold and it has snow,” she said, laughing. “And I have never seen snow. I was so excited to see snow.”
Payengxa Lor was met with applause and cheers from the school’s staff, students, and parents. Credit: Abdirahman Mohamed | Sahan Journal
Education as inspiration
Payengxa’s visit to the school came together through Kazoua’s friendship with Shang Thao Berg, a local community leader. Weeks ago, Shang reached out to Kazoua with news of Payengxa’s visit and interest in touring a Hmong school. Although her visit was to occur during the school’s winter break, Kazoua was determined to plan an event to welcome Payengxa.
“I pulled [in] some student leadership and student council [members], some parent board members and staff,” Kazoua said. “We wanted her to have a little taste of what it’s like at Community School of Excellence, and we also wanted to show her that her dreams … have come to realization in the United States.”
An art and English teacher back home, Payengxa wants to open a school in Laos that would provide Hmong children with a quality education on par with that being received by their peers in the West.
Payengxa was born in a mountainous village in Laos. Her family grew rice and operated a farm until her father found an opportunity to move to a city. There, she would receive better schooling, which opened her mind to the world and what it had to offer, she said.
Payengxa hopes to spark that kind of inspiration in other children through their education.
“My passion is to work hard to do something so I can help others and set an example to pave the way for them to see that, ‘oh, life is more than that.’ You can do whatever … you set your mind to,” she said.
During Payengxa’s tour of the Community School of Excellence, Kazoua answered her questions about the technology available for students and explained how products such as a smartboard and laptops could elevate the education of students in Payengxa’s region and “level the playing field.”
“I shared with her my experience of going to Laos and visiting over 20 schools. Many of the schools were teaching computers, but there was no computer in sight,” she said. “How do you teach computers when there’s no computer? How do you teach about world history when there’s no map?”
Kazoua said about 85 percent of her school’s students receive free or reduced-price lunches, but that she and other faculty members work to ensure that students don’t feel that they’re lacking compared to other schools.
Members of the Community School of Excellence’s dance team, Tub Phaj Ej, performed for Miss Universe Laos and the Miss Hmong Minnesota royalty Friday morning at the St. Paul charter school. Credit: Abdirahman Mohamed | Sahan Journal
Celebrating with dance
After touring the school, Payengxa was led to the school’s gymnasium, where its dance teams put on a traditional dance performance for her and the Miss Hmong Minnesota winners.
The three groups are divided by level and gender: Tub Phaj Ej is the boy’s dance team, Ntxhais Ci Nplas the intermediate dance team, and Ntxhais Ceej Tsheej the advanced dance team. The advanced team has performed at locations such as the Minnesota State Capitol, the State Fair, and Target Center in Minneapolis.
Students from North St. Paul’s Cypher Side Dance School, led by Lue Thao, also joined the performance, showcasing a modern take with their breakdancing moves.
Insai Vangsoua, whose son performed with the Cypher Side group, said he brought his children to meet Miss Universe Laos as an example of how far Hmong people have come.
“Everyone is familiar with the saying, ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’” he said. “Well, you know what, it takes an entire community to raise someone to be at this level. I think it’s extremely important that not only is she here, but our community is also here to welcome and support her and acknowledge the achievement that she’s made.”
“I think it’s extremely important that not only is [Miss Universe Laos] here, but our community is also here to welcome and support her and acknowledge the achievement that she’s made.”
Insai Vangsoua, school parent
Born in Thailand and raised in France, Insai grew up in the United States without any exposure to Hmong culture. Because of that, he invests moments like Friday’s with importance. He sees how far the community has come, but believes that people like Payengxa have taken the culture to new heights.
Students from North St. Paul’s Cypher Side Dance School, led by Lue Thao, joined the performance for Miss Universe Laos, showcasing a modern take on Hmong performance. Credit: Abdirahman Mohamed | Sahan Journal
“You know that the playing field now is not so one-sided anymore, and those of us who grew up as you and I have, we know the playing field has never been in our favor,” he said. “Seeing someone of their background that looks like them and that speaks the same language as they do represent them—not just at a national level but the world level—is something that is amazing.”
Payengxa’s accomplishment as Miss Universe Laos brings pride to Hmong people worldwide, Kazoua said.
“I see her as a young sister who’s coming up and who’s bringing success,” she said. “And it’s not only in the United States, but the success of one Hmong person—regardless if you live in Laos or Thailand or Vietnam or wherever—it’s the success of all Hmong people.”
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24258510/IMG_3815.jpg "Philadelphia schools hiring another consultant")
