Pasit Methisariyapong, age 8

Vajiravudh College

" If we work hard, we will be successful. "

Seth Pongsuwon, age 12

Vajiravudh College
 

" Think good, don’t be so serious, move forward everyday of your life."

Pun Chaiyakul, age 17

Vajiravudh College
 

" Make the most out of it in every single moment. "

Anamai Vongviengjan
Art  Teacher, Vajiravudh College

" We must have dreams or imagination for what we want to be, want to obtain, want to do.  Next, when we have that dream, we need to seek knowledge on the thing in which we want to succeed.  Then, we have to get to work.  During this phase, we will encounter all sorts of challenges, but we shouldn't get discouraged.  We must find a way to overcome them.  This will make us stronger.  Finally, we must have enough.  We must be content with what we are.  When we succeed, we should help those who helped us, society, and our country.  We must be good, virtuous people. "

Amanda Russell

English Teacher, Vajiravudh College

" In my opinion the key to a successful life is setting goals and staying focused until you achieve results.   You need to be confident that what you are working towards will happen.  Family, friends and teachers can help support and guide you, but ultimately it’s your own determination that will lead you to a successful life. "
 

Sarah Naughton, OP

Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin

Archivist, Oscar Rennebohm Library

Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

" For me, striving to be a trusting and trustworthy person are both essential qualities of a Person seeking “Success in Life.”  Those qualities have already begun developing in each of us, men and women, before we are born.  The families and communities, the environments and countries, the eco systems and the human systems that surround us as we grow continue the process of our unique human development. As I explore Vajiravudh College’s Website and especially VC New Era, I am reminded of the Edgewood College Mission Statement.

Edgewood College, rooted in the Dominican Tradition, engages students within a community of learners committed to building a just and compassionate world.  The College educates students for meaningful personal and professional lives of ethical leadership, service and a lifelong search for truth.

The Educational Communities of our Two Countries become healthy partners for Parents and Children as we each grow into the unique Persons that we are meant to be whether in Thailand or the USA.  Our abilities to Trust and Be Trusted must also grow steadily through each year of our Lives.  My Visits to Vajiravudh College between 1989 and 2002 with Other American Educators and reciprocal Visits to the Edgewood K – 16 Campus by Thai Teachers and Students and a Delegation of Thai Ministry Officials have deepened my convictions that pursuing Value Based Education around the World while we seek knowledge, grow wise and prosper is the only Way to create and live on a Peaceful Planet Earth. "

Mike Goodman

Associate Professor - Church History and Doctrine

Brigham Young University

" The definition of success is by its nature subjective. If success means money and wealth, anything from hard work to tremendous good luck may be the necessary ingredients. If success means fame, anything from good looks to special talent may be necessary. If success is power, money and force of will may be the key ingredients. However, as is evident in our materialistic society, money, fame and power often fail to lead to true happiness and a meaningful life.

I believe a successful person is one who has lived their life with purpose who leaves those with whom they interact better for the experience. A successful person is one who makes a positive difference in the world in which they live. They are not content to settle for selfish accomplishments - they realize true success requires getting beyond ourselves and leaving a legacy for good. This success is in the reach of every person. It is not dependent on fame, power of finances. The most humble man or women can choose to live in such a way as to leave those whom they have the privilege of interacting with better and happier - be that a dozen people or millions.

This kind of success in life is largely dependent on two essential issues. First, there can be know true success in life without personal integrity. An individual who has personal integrity will be true not only to themselves but to those with whom they are privileged to form relationships. If we are not true to what believe to be right, it is impossible for any success to go beyond a surface level. Ultimately, the facade which is formed by our life will not withstand the scrutiny of time and experience. Without personal integrity, we are liable to be buffeted by every wind of change and opinion. We will be like a ship with no anchor.

Second, this kind of success requires our motives to be selfless to a large extent. If our desire is to bless the lives of all we come in contact with, we will treat each person with dignity and honor. We will find ways to help and enable all we associate with. Our actions will be based on values which include the worth of each and every person. We will not be willing to trade another persons failure for our success. We will strive to be true both to our selves and to all we come in contact with.

With these two values, personal integrity and selflessness, success is within the reach of each and every person. No set of circumstances or worldly limitations could stand in the way of such a persons success. They give to each human being the opportunity to go to sleep each night at peace with themselves and those they are privileged to know. They would give to each of us a way to live a life of purpose, meaning and happiness."

LTC Steve Stevens

Deputy Commander

300th MI Brigade (Linguist)

" In my experience, the key to success has been diligent effort.  You don't have to be the smartest person, or the fastest, or strongest, or most talented.  If you are simply willing to consistently work hard, practice, put in the time, patiently persist in thing you want to achieve, accomplish, delevop, or overcome, you can succeed.  You can do it! "