Hmong Families Rush to Enroll at Vang Pao Elementary

By Jobin Panicker, KSEE24 News

August 20, 2012 Updated Aug 20, 2012 at 6:18 PM PDT

It's being called a "monumental moment" for a community. A school named after Hmong leader opened Monday. General Vang Pao Elementary opened to hundreds of students in a southeast Fresno neighborhood.

Students settled into their new classes at Vang Pao Elementary. Administrators say more than a 700 students enrolled Monday morning.

A lot of Hmong parents came and hoped to enroll their kids at the new school. It is located near Cedar and Heaton Avenues. It is the only school named for a Hmong leader in the entire state.

"When I walk through the gate and see his face it brings tears to my eyes," said teacher Chee Vang.

General Vang Pao died last year after fighting heart problems and pneumonia.

To submit a comment on this article, your email address is required. We respect your privacy and your email will not be visible to others nor will it be added to any email lists.