Aiming above and beyond
By Elizabeth Coe
Sean Nguyen has never let anything hold him back.
The senior at Stone Bridge High School has persevered at whatever he's attempted in his 17 years -- from break dancing to academics to soaring through the air in the long jump.
Sean describes himself as "well-rounded" and said he has a positive way of thinking, which provides motivation for anything he wants to do.
"I'd like everyone to be happy," he said. "I'm usually optimistic, and if people don't believe in themselves, I try to encourage them."
Sean always aims high.
He participates in varsity track at his school and hopes to become an Olympian.
His best event is the long jump with a record of 18 feet 8 1/2 inches.
He said he likes the long jump because "it's the closest I can get to flying."
Along with track, Sean said he knows the importance of exercise and strives for good health in general.
Recently he started break dancing, which he learned from friends and by watching videos on YouTube.
Sean is head of the break dance club at Stone Bridge. The members plan to perform at nursing homes around the county, he said.
Academics also are a major priority in Sean's life, and he loves science, especially physics.
He participates on Stone Bridge's "It's Academic" team, which competes against other area high schools, answering general knowledge questions.
Different cultures also interest Sean.
His heritage is Vietnamese, but last summer he got to learn about Japanese culture when he participated in Princeton's High School Diplomat program.
Sean's family hosted a student from Japan for a few days at his Ashburn home. Then Sean spent time getting to know other American and Japanese high school students at the Princeton campus in New Jersey.
He has stayed in touch with most of them, and he said he hopes to visit his friends in Japan one day.
Sean's plans also include college and eventually medical school.
He said he wants to attend Harvard University next year and major in physics. He hopes to study dermatology and become a dermatologist.
His mother, Maria Nguyen, said she's confident Sean can accomplish whatever he puts his mind to.
"He's a very hard worker and very dedicated," she said. "If he wants something, he goes for it, no matter how challenging it may seem."