At first glance, Virginia Ng seems like an average Chinese-American young woman. Like the stereotypical person of this category, Virginia values her education immensely, yet strives to balance a social life with academics. She also struggles between two very different cultures. But such a description of Virginia Ng would do her injustice because she is not average at all. She is a girl with enormous dreams–dreams that she could one day defend helpless victims in a courthouse, that she can protect the law and society as an interpreter of the law, that she could possibly save the world and establish world peace by working as a diplomat or that she may even lead this nation one day as the president. With a very competitive drive, great ambition and confidence that she can also push herself a lot more, Virginia definitely has high hopes for her future.
Virginia was born in Boston on October 31, 1988. Raised in project housing until she was six years old, Virginia always knew that her parents, first generation immigrants to America and non-English speakers, had to work very hard to provide their children with a comfortable lifestyle and a loving home. Although Virginia loves her parents very much and is very happy to be their daughter, she does admit that it was sometimes difficult having very strict parents who came from a more eastern, traditional upbringing. She also realized that although her parents were very educated in politics, reading the Chinese newspaper religiously, they were not very optimistic of the dealings of the government and did not share Virginia’s view that a few leaders can make large differences in society. Therefore, they often encouraged her to choose a career path in investment banking or corporate law, something that would do well in providing for her future family. Virginia considered these options but always found herself more geared towards the realm of public policy. She sometimes jokingly blames this on “shameful” Law & Order episodes that inspired her to explore a career in law.
The greatest lesson that Virginia learned from her parents was that an education would be the most valuable possession that no one could possibly steal. Thus, she always pushed herself to work hard in school. She attended Josiah Quincy Elementary School and enrolled in Boston Latin School as a sixie. There, she earned honor grades and participated in a number of activities including tutoring students in the Saturday Success School, playing for the Girls’ Volleyball team, serving as an executive officer for Asian Students in Action, holding the Secretary position in the National Honor Society and playing the piccolo for the school band. During her weekends, Virginia earned some money as a private tutor but never forgot to have her share of fun too. Her motto became “Work hard, play hard.” She often goes shopping with her mom, plays volleyball and laughs over games of Taboo , Life and Cranium with her friends.
Graduating from Boston Latin School has, thus far, been the greatest achievement in Virginia’s life. It is at Boston Latin that she solidified her interest in public policy. After a week of studying the Constitution in her eighth grade US History class, Virginia did not find it boring while many of the other students did and she loved learning about many social and political aspects behind economics. Virginia decided that she would like to study both economics and government at Harvard University, where she will be continuing her education as an undergraduate student. Virginia is very proud to call herself a BLS alumna and is extremely grateful for all that Boston Latin School has offered her, including the Ward Fellowship.
Virginia is currently working in Governor Deval Patrick’s Public Liaison office under the direction of Ron Bell, a Boston Latin School alum himself.