Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Spotlight on Mai Xee Vang
Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Alum Spotlight on Mai Xee Vang
As Breakthrough Twin Cities marks 20 years of inspiring stories, we are proud to celebrate the alumni whose journeys embody the heart of our mission. One of those alumni is Mai Xee Vang, Class of 2018, whose path from Breakthrough student to educator shines as a powerful example of how education transforms lives.
When Mai Xee Vang first heard about Breakthrough Twin Cities (then Breakthrough Saint Paul) as a sixth grader, she knew it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“Coming from a first-generation background that highly values education, I immediately jumped at the chance to apply for the program—even if it meant ‘losing out on my summer vacation,’ as one of my friends put it,” Mai Xee recalls.
That choice shaped her life.
Mai Xee describes her years at Breakthrough as lively, joyful, and transformative. As a sometimes shy student, she found herself stepping outside of her comfort zone thanks to the encouragement of her peers and Teaching Fellows.
“Dancing in the hallways during passing time, cheering during lunch, creating activities for a Friday event, making a t-shirt design, participating in ASM, becoming Speaker of the House, joining the Breakthrough Leaders Program, studying for the ACTs—there was so much that I was able to experience and live through during my time as a Breakthrough student. I am forever grateful for Breakthrough and all it has done for me.”
While it’s hard for her to pick a single favorite moment, Mai Xee believes the everyday traditions and culture of Breakthrough made the experience unforgettable.
“Simply being a part of Breakthrough was my favorite memory. Every little thing, like repeating ‘Boo-yah!’ after someone mentions it, to big things, like Spirit Week, make the Breakthrough experience so unique from any other experience.”
She also remembers the influence of her teachers with deep gratitude. She was especially thankful for her math teachers, who helped her find joy in a subject she once dreaded.
“That’s what I love so much about Breakthrough Teaching Fellows and the Breakthrough program. Everyone wants to see each other succeed, so the empathy and camaraderie run deep between us all.”
After graduating from high school, Mai Xee pursued her college dreams with the skills and confidence she had gained through BTC. Today, she is a teacher herself, bringing Breakthrough’s energy and spirit into her own classrooms.
“With the support of Breakthrough, I graduated from high school and attended college just as I had always planned. Now, I try to emulate the same Breakthrough energy in all my classes to help my students enjoy learning.”
Today, Mai Xee is living and working abroad, still carrying forward the lessons she learned at Breakthrough.
“I may be a Breakthrough alum, but that only means that I am slightly further along in life compared to current Breakthrough students in the greater context of things. In this life, I am always asking myself, ‘what comes next?’ And I am always running straight ahead, grasping at whatever comes my way. I hope you can too, with fearlessness, courage, and strength.”
