Varsity Track and Field Rookie of the Year

Vyha Nguyen won Rookie of the Year for Varsity Track and Field, representing Hendrick Hudson High School. Nguyen, 15, was born and raised in Peekskill, NY where she currently resides. I had the opportunity to do a one-on-one interview with her.

Me: Hey, thanks for taking time out of your schedule for this interview. You won Rookie of the Year as a scholar athlete for Hendrick Hudson. That's incredible. Congratulations! 

Vy-Ha: Thank you so much!

Me: You're welcome. This is such a huge accomplishment. How long have you been running track?

Vy-Ha: I started running modified track in eighth grade. Now that I'm in high school, I've been running for the varsity track and field team.

Me: And you're a freshmen this year, right?

Vy-Ha: Yes

Me: Do you feel a lot of pressure being so young on the varsity team?

Vy-Ha: Yes and no. Yes, because it becomes very intense and competitive during the track meets but no, due to the fact that running is a love of mine.

Me: I see what you mean. When you're passionate about something it becomes like second nature to you, right?

Vy-Ha: Definitely.

Me: So how does your coach help you train for meets?

Vy-Ha: I have three: Coach Bails, Coach Riley, and Coach Yee. All three of them help me train for the meets by working on my stamina, my forms, and my speed. I would usually do many sprinter drills and practice the events I will be doing throughout the season.

Me: Do you ever get nervous?

Vy-Ha: I'm always nervous before I run in a race.

Me: Really? What helps you to do so well despite your nerves?

Vy-Ha: I would just run. Once I'm running, my nervousness is out of my system.

Me: I used to run track when I was in high school and I was the same way. What motivated you to start running?

Vy-Ha: I was always interested in running but was never serious about it until a friend of mine told me to try modified track. When I ran my first race, I was so nervous that I actually fell. After that, I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't do so and I wanted to improve my speed.

Me: It's a good thing your friend mentioned it to you and it's admirable that you didn't allow that one fall to stop you from running.

Vy-Ha: Thank you. I always laugh at it whenever I look back at that moment.

Me: Yeah, it's good that you can laugh about it now. Do you plan on going pro after high school?

Vy-Ha: When you say "going pro after high school" do you mean running in college?

Me: Yes. Scouts are always watching.

Vy-Ha: Then, yes. I would hate to stop running.

Me: Which event do you run? The 100-meter? The 200-meter?

Vy-Ha: In the winter, I would run the 55 meter dash, 55 meter hurdles, 200 meter, and sometimes a 4x200 relay. In the spring, I'll be running the 100 meter, 200 meter, and a 4x200 relay but I've been told to work on my 400 meter for the upcoming event, Penn Relays.

Me: Wow, so you do a lot! What date is set for Penn Relays?

Vy-Ha: We're not sure of what day we will be going but it's April 23-25.

Me: Oh okay. Well that's coming up soon. Do you play any other sports off season?

Vy-Ha: No. Track seems to be the only sport that I enjoy doing and that I’m good at.

Me: There's nothing wrong with that. You found what you're great at. What do you like to do in your spare time when you aren't running?

Vy-Ha: I like to draw, play my guitar and sing or write in my spare time. I also enjoy photography.

Me: Nice! You seem very well rounded. Who do you look up to the most?

Vy-Ha: Lauren Mandelkow. She is a sophomore who is doing track as well. She's my inspiration. From the moment I saw her run, I wanted to run as fast as her. I dream to be successful as she is in track.

Me: She's on your team?

Vy-Ha: Yes.

Me: Oh, that's cool. Are you two close?

Vy-Ha: I guess you can say we are in some ways. Whenever I need help, she'll be there and vice versa.

Me: That's great. Is your family supportive of you running track? They must be proud.

Vy-Ha: They are always encouraging me and are very supportive.

Me: That's excellent.

Vy-Ha: Haha, I agree.

  

Me: Do you have a favorite quote or saying that inspires you?

Vy-Ha: In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." - Fred Lebow

Me: That's a good quote! Thanks so much for the interview. It sounds like you have a bright future ahead of you. I wish you the best at Penn Relays! 

  

Vy-Ha: Thank you so much!

Me: Thank you. 

Delta Sigma Theta Presents: My Cry in the Dark

Last week, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosted an event at the Pace University Westchester campus called "My Cry in the Dark." This event within this organization is a campaign designed around educating youth and families about racial and ethnic disparities, and domestic violence involved with seeking mental health care and services. The president of the organization, Angela Pierre, said that the goal of this program is for students to learn about domestic abuse and how it affects their self-esteem, families, friends, and the community.

“I have close family and friends who have experienced several types of abuse,” Pierre said. “I do not stand by domestic violence. I may not personally understand it, but I want to help anyone in need.” 

This event also informed students of how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse as well as how to prevent it. 

"We need to encourage a support system and reaffirm that having a voice will not hurt," Pierre said. 

Ivonne Scaglione was a guest speaker from Hope's Door, which is an organization with a mission to offer intervention and prevention services to individuals and families that have been affected by domestic violence. They also provide education programs that encourage community involvement.

Scaglione shared a danger assessment, which had a series of questions that students could use as a guideline when dating. Some of these questions included: does he own a gun? Is he unemployed? Does he follow or spy on you? She also showed students how they could take action, by explaining what an order of protection was and how it is used. 

"Hope's Door seeks to end domestic violence and to empower victms to achieve safety, independence, and healing from the trauma of abuse," Scaglione said.

Afterward, she spoke about the following services at Hope's Door: emergency shelter, counseling and support groups, safety planning, a children's program, multicultural programs, the Love Shouldn't Hurt Teen Dating Abusive Prevention Program, the STAR Peer Leadership Program, and Community Education and Outreach.  

She concluded her presentation by talking to students about how they could make a difference right on campus by organizing a coordination committee or how they could help Hope's Door through fundraising and donations. Students also have an opportunity to volunteer or intern.

The final speaker, Cierra Townes, who is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, shared her personal experience for the first time. Townes opened up with the audience, describing what it was like growing up in a home where domestic violence was considered normal. She also talked about how it affected her view on relationships as she got older.

The room was decorated in purple to support the organization, National Domestic Violence Awareness. At the end of the event, there was a white paper roll on the wall marked "Stop Domestic Violence. It Hurts More Than One person," along with paint for everyone who attended the event to dip their hands in and place on the paper. This was a pledge as Pierre stated, "To always reach out for help and to always have a voice." 

"I think this was a good event because people have a lot of questions when it comes to domestic violence," Leah Stewart, junior and communications major said. "You never know what someone has been through and you never know when you might need to help a friend out."

Hope's Door's Contact Information & Locations: 

Administrative Office: 914.747.0828

24-Hour Hotline: 888.438.8700

39 Washington Avenue, Pleasantville, NY 10570. 914.747.0828 9 AM to 5 PM or by appointment. 

100 S. Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562. 914.747.0828 By appointment.

Family Justice Center, County Courthouse, 111 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. 914.995.3100 9 AM to 5 PM.