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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.

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