Phong Thanh Nguyen doesn’t have time to rest; he’s too busy working toward his future.

Fun times can wait until later.

“Once I’m out of high school and college and have a job, then it will be time to play,” Nguyen said. “Right now it’s work, work, work, work, work. It’s stressful but it’s worth it.”

Nguyen, a Memorial High School senior, is ranked near the top of his class, is a leader within the Marching Heat and an accomplished musician, an apt photographer who does photo-shoots for school and friends and he knows his way around a lawnmower and the landscaping field.

And that’s just a few of his talents.

Nguyen plays trumpet in the band, is assistant band captain and section leader. Last year he was a member of the Region 10 All-Region Band and qualified for Area Band.

“This past summer Phong and 24 other MHS band students attended the Southern University Band Camp in Baton Rouge, La. This camp has an astounding 250-plus members from all over the United States,” MHS Band Director Trent Johnson said. “Phong received the highest honor at the camp which was the Most Outstanding Camper 2016. This was a great achievement for him and I was elated, smiling from ear to ear like a proud father watching his son receive an honor. Phong is a very special young man; he is like my personal assistant. When he graduates I am surely going to miss him and everything he offers to the MHD band department.”

Nguyen practices his music a lot and sometimes doesn’t leave school until 8 p.m., he said. He realizes some may not realize the amount of work that goes into each performance.

“We work Monday through Thursday and on Friday it’s game day and we cut loose,” Nguyen said. “But really and truly it’s Monday through Sunday. Every Saturday is sectional practice and on Sunday I practice for all-region and solos.”

A member of the National Honor Society, Nguyen takes his studying seriously. As a first generation American he knows the struggles his parents went through to give their children a better life. He remains fluent in his native tongue, Vietnamese, and helps younger cousins learn the language, something that is important to him.

Nguyen is hoping to receive a band scholarship and attend Southern University. His ultimate goal is to become a nurse practitioner.

He chose this profession over becoming a doctor because a nurse practitioner has more of a one on one relationship with the patient.

“I’m a people person. I love to talk to people and being a nurse practitioner I get to interact with people more than a doctor,” he said. “There’s a bond with the patient and I like to work.”

Nguyen hopes to draw upon lessons learned through band.

“Band teaches you life’s lessons,” he said.

He credits his parents, Duong Nguyen and Van Pham, with always being there for him and encouraging him.

He also credits his band director, Johnson, with being a mentor in his life.

“He’s like a second father to me. I spend about three-fourths of the day with him,” he said. “Stay motivated, stay positive, stay humble. Don’t let temporary feelings make permanent decisions.”

These words of wisdom came from Johnson and Nguyen takes them to heart.

“The mindset to lose is not there. You work hard to get what you get and at the end of the day someone else has worked harder. I can’t let ego make me complacent. If you want to be a leader, lead by example. I leave my personal life outside the band hall when I enter.”

Johnson said he is proud of Nguyen.

“As his high school band director, I have seen many examples of his talent and have long been impressed by his diligence and work ethic,” Johnson said. “Phong is able to successfully complete multiple tasks with favorable results despite deadline pressure.”

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews