Stephen Phung
Born in Delta, Colorado Born | West Valley City, Utah
Stephen Phung was born in Delta, Colorado, after his family had emigrated to the United States. Stephen remembers little about his time in Colorado but holds fond memories of playing in the front yard amidst a snowstorm and being able to roam freely about the small town. Rather, Stephen spent the majority of his childhood in West Valley, Utah, where he participated in different sports but truly loved soccer as a kid. From attending a number of family parties and hanging out with his childhood friends, Stephen connected with many kids outside of his own culture. Although Stephen connects deeply with his family, he believes that his experiences lean towards those of American culture.
Making Utah Home
What is your family’s story behind making Utah your home?
The one thing that I realized as I’ve gotten older is that education is freedom. Our parents instilled that into us in different ways. At the time we would complain about it or think it was such a hard thing or [that our] parents were being unfair. But as we’ve gotten older, myself and my brothers, I think I speak for all of us is [that] education is freedom. Whatever it is that we’re interested in or have love for, the more we could learn, [the] more that we could obtain the [more] opportunities and doors were revealed to us. I think our parents had a hard time explaining that, but I’m grateful for them, I’m grateful for them pushing us and instilling that in us.
New Life in Utah
What makes Utah home?
I think something that helps establish a home is setting some standards for your own families such as coming home for dinner at a certain time or getting together. As much as those might have seen like they’re interrupting your day, or they’re taking you away from something you love when you’re younger. you realize as you get older, you grew up really fast. And you realize that a lot of good memories happen at those times and I think that’s something that all or most families should have is some type of dedicated time to connect and be back with one another instead of just running free and just not being accountable for things like that.
Building the Next Generation
What hopeful message would you like to share with others as a first generation Utahn?
I think for [my Mother], she wants us to remember who we are and where we came from and the sacrifices [that were] made. So having the opportunity to connect in this way and remember those experiences we have, and being able to share it with somebody else, I think it is a good therapeutic opportunity… to really appreciate what we’ve had to struggle with. But also in that struggle, it’s made us stronger.
HOME IS HERE
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