Toto Parris Milly is the son of Mr. Bounchanh and Mrs. Chanthone Milly who escaped from Laos and settled in the United States since 1980. Although Toto was born and grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, he always considers himself a Laotian. He loves and adores Lao culture and traditions. He speaks Lao fluently. Currently, Toto is a third year "Computer Information System" student at Middle Tennessee State University. Toto will be going to Saitama University as an exchange student in Octomber, 2005.
In response to a question from VOA, he replies..."Today, what drives me to this point is how I looked back from where my parents came from. Looking back how hard my mom and her siblings arrived in the United States, there’s a reason why they came to the US. It is to have a better life and to raise their new generations in a way that they will have an opportunity to be educated and be successful."
Toto is one of many great examples of the new generation of Laotian-Americans who were born or grew up in this country. They have excelled themselves and thrived to be better than their parents..."TO Be All You Can Be" in the "Promised Land of America"
Toto ends the interview with these words..."This is a turn out for me in that I’m reaching my goal to be successful in college and to set a role model for other Laotian-Americans around here and also to anyone in the US. Who am I today? I’m currently a hard working student, trying to make my dream come true, to have my own small business in Computer/Technology and a web design studio."
Voice of America wishes Toto all the best in his educational endeavor and future goal in life.
Listen to our audio for more details.