Top-tier student greets new year

Lai Sally Wong of Sugar Land has climbed the educational ladder of success since entering the second grade in Houston. (Photo courtesy of University of Houston)

Lai Sally Wong has a lot to celebrate lately. Not only did she graduate in December as the first Tier One Scholar at the University of Houston, but Wong and her family also celebrated the Year of the Dragon, which began Jan. 23, with a big party.

"There's a lot to cook; it's a great feast," she said of the most important holiday of the year for ethnic Chinese. Wong, who lives in Sugar Land, said her parents decided to immigrate to the United States a dozen years ago from Hong Kong because there were greater educational opportunities here. That has certainly been true for Wong.

ESL classes helped her become fluent in English less than three years after entering second-grade classes as a 7-year-old in Texas. In fifth grade, Wong was enrolled in Fort Settlement Middle School's gifted and talented program. After graduating from Clements High School, Wong was accepted in Tier One, a scholarship program established to attract high-achieving students.

Wong certainly distinguished herself at Clements. A member of the National Honor Society, she graduated in the top 3 percent of her class as a National AP Scholar. Having earned college credit for some classes, she entered UH as a junior and, after one and a half years, graduated with a degree in accounting from the C.T. Bauer College of Business.

Wong is now finishing up the class requirements to sit for the CPA test at the end of the year and hopes to earn a master's in either business or accounting. At the start of what appears to be an exciting and exhilarating year, Wong hopes the Year of the Dragon will also be safe, peaceful and lucky. If her past is any indication, it doesn't look like she has anything to worry about.

Name: Lai Sally Wong

Age: 19

Occupation: Student at the University of Houston

Community Connection: Tutors adults in English

Fast Fact: Wong plays classical piano but is a passionate fan of K-Pop (Korean Pop) music.