Blake Senior Wins School’s First MELLFIN Scholarship Award
Vy Bao, a 12th grade student at James Hubert Blake High School is the winner of a Maryland English Language Learning Family Involvement Network (MELLFIN) Scholarship Award.
Bao is the first MELLFIN recipient from Blake High School. The $1,000 annual MELLFIN scholarships are awarded to current or former Emerging Multilingual Learners (EML) high school seniors who have demonstrated excellence and a commitment to attend college or a post-secondary career training program.
“I’ve been lucky to have teachers who saw more in me than I saw in myself,” Bao said. “One teacher, Mrs. Santos, always challenged me to write more, dig deeper and never settle. Dr. Frank listened to me patiently when I was struggling with English, gave me feedback with kindness and reminded me that my voice still mattered. Their belief in me helped shape who I am.”
Bao’s teachers at Blake were quick to weigh in on what made her stand out.
“Vy’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring,” said English Language Development teacher Estefan Santos. “Like a flower with immense potential, she simply needed the guidance and support provided by her MCPS teachers to truly flourish. As a freshman, Vy was quiet and reserved—thoughtful and eager to learn, yet still finding her voice. Over the years, I have had the privilege of watching her grow and evolve into the remarkable individual she is today: a strong, graceful, and resilient young woman. Regardless of her environment, Vy has demonstrated the ability to thrive. I am confident that she will continue to grow and serve as a powerful role model for other English Language Learners in MCPS, inspiring them to follow the path she has so boldly and admirably paved.”
“Vy is a very dedicated student, always working to understand her subjects and
further her goals,” said teacher Dr. Mary Frank. “She has diligently learned and used English as an Emerging Multilingual Learner, despite all the difficulties. She always supports her fellow language learners to set high goals and work towards them.”
Bao also serves as a leader in the Vietnamese Nextgen Initiative Youth Program, where she works with other high school students to build community and support newly arrived immigrant youth, a role that helps others feel welcomed and empowered as they navigate their transition to life in the U.S. “As an EML student and a member of an immigrant family, this achievement represents the hard work and perseverance that many students like me are putting in,” she said. “My life experiences motivate me to help others and provide the guidance I did not have access to. My parents' hopes and dreams fuel my drive. Sometimes, I feel lost, but I see these moments as opportunities to recalibrate and find my way.”
When asked what she hopes other students can take away from her achievement, Bao said: “I want other EML students to know that they shouldn’t worry about what others think or laugh at. What you are doing right now, just keep going, keep learning and improving. We all have our own unique journeys, and we can achieve anything if we believe in ourselves. I hope that my story can inspire other EML students and immigrant families to continue pursuing their educational goals and overcome challenges.”