Why did you decide to make these wooden pens? I’ve been into woodworking for about three years. I took woodworking I and II in the past two years, so I decided that I would sell stuff and make a business...

How did you hear about the contest held by the Star Tribune? I am in debate and that is initially how I heard about it. My debate coach had copied me in an email announcing that there was going to be...

Can you give a short introduction to who you are? I was born in Cambodia, moved to the states in 1998 to St. Louis Park. (I) went through the elementary school, went to Cedar Manor, the junior high...

What are you doing? So right now we are working on starting a dance team. Hopefully like next year we would probably have a performance team in the fall and potentially in the winter, but probably just...

Why do you shave your head? I shave my head because my brother's best friend, who was also really close to me, passed away from childhood cancer. His mother and his family still do it and my brother...

What is Packages of Hope? Packages of Hope is emotional-based rather than charity. I put together care packages fit to one’s needs and hand deliver or ship them out to patients. What is the mission...

What is your role in the city of St. Louis Park? My current role is Human Rights (Commission chairperson) for the city. I was appointed about two years ago and I was reappointed a couple months ago....

What exactly is the IMG Academy? It’s a sports academy in Bradenton, Florida for top athletes. It’s basically just a normal high school. We live on campus, there are dorms and then (they provide)...

What inspired you to create the Pocket Change Foundation? I hated seeing homeless people in the streets and people suffering because they messed up in life or (experienced) a family crisis that put...

What did you do to prepare for the competition? “My dad talked to a lot of award-winning chefs and they gave me some tips and then the producers of the show sent a lot of stuff that they wanted (me)...

What is the October Saves fundraiser? “October Saves is a charity for breast cancer that hockey goalies from all over can be a part of. Goalies create an account on the October Saves website where...

What do you perform at your church? I sing and play the acoustic guitar. When did you start playing the guitar and how did you learn? I started playing the acoustic guitar when I was in middle...