A Night in Full Bloom: Recapping the Laotian American Community of Fresno’s 7th Annual Dok Huk Gala
Kop Jai & Thank You for helping us make the 7th Annual Dok Huk Gala, “Crown Flower of Love,” an unforgettable evening of culture, celebration, and community. On Friday, October 3, 2025, the Toca Madera Winery was filled with the vibrant spirit of our community, all united in support of a powerful mission: empowering the next generation through education.
The night was a beautiful tapestry of Lao traditions, heartfelt stories, and generous giving. From the captivating Lao Cultural Performance by the Lao Community Cultural Center of Fresno (LCCCF) to the energizing beats of the Air Vieng Band and The As One Band that kept guests dancing until midnight, the evening was a true reflection of our vibrant culture.
Celebrating Our Future: 2025 Scholarship Recipients
The heart of our gala is our scholarship program, and thanks to the incredible support from our community, we are thrilled to have awarded $15,000 in scholarships this year! Please join us in congratulating our outstanding 2025 scholarship recipients:
🏥 Isabella Phothisane – Pre-health Nursing, Fresno State
💼 Nathan Phouthavong – Business Administration, Fresno City College
🧠 Tommy Thone Sophabmixay – Psychology, Fresno City College
📚 Seng Khanthaman – Liberal Studies, Fresno State
🎬 Armani Samontry – Film & Media Studies, UC Berkeley
⚙️ Natalie Bounlangsy – Mechanical Engineering, UC Merced
🧠 Suriyah Jones – Psychology, UCLA
💼 Cameron Phouthachack – Business Administration, Fresno State
💙 Souvanhkham Niravanh – Master of Science in School Counseling, PPS Credential, Fresno State
We were also deeply inspired by our guest speaker, Dr. Bagjeng Keophimphone, a past LACF scholarship recipient whose journey to becoming an anesthesiology resident at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center perfectly illustrates the life-changing impact of our collective support.
Honoring Community Pillars: 2025 Award Recipients
Our community is strengthened by the dedication of remarkable individuals and businesses. We were proud to present the following Community Recognition Awards:
- Golden Heart Award (Oythip Singh): For tireless work and commitment to making a positive difference.
- Lao Business of the Year (Na Nah Thong): For remarkable contributions to economic growth and community development.
- Emerging Leadership Award (Joanna Salinthone): For outstanding contributions by a young leader in the community.
- Laotian American Community Appreciation Award (Ryan Coe & Steve Arounsack): For great dedication and contribution to the livelihood of the community.
- Special Recognition Award (Diane Phakonekham): For unmatched strength and dedication with a positive impact on our community.
A special thank you to our Crown Flower Queens & Princesses for gracing us with their presence and adding elegance to our Crown Flower Power Walk.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors
None of this would be possible without the generous backing of our sponsors. We extend our deepest gratitude to:
Kham (Gold) – $6,000
- Na Nah Thong Thai & Lao Street Food & Ramen Ichiban
Ngern (Silver) – $4,000
- The Fresno Center
- Chez Maryse, French Bakery & Cuisine
Tong (Bronze) – $2,000
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Avakian Insurance
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California
- EECU – Educational Employees Credit Union
- Fresno Unified School District
- Kayla Kim, Realtor
- La’s Kitchen
- Lithia Subaru of Fresno
- MB Inc.
- PMK Padek Mae Kesone
- Paul Chen Accountancy & Somphone Louankang, J.D., Esq.
- Smart Care Medical Group
- Sweet Mango Mart & Deli
Friends of LACF
- B & K Kitchen
- Bobaology Tea Haus
- Gina Vue
- Jill Crabtree
- L’Aperitif
- Nelson Esparza, Council Member
- Rena Love XO Riri Jewels
- Sabaldee Boutique
- Self Help Credit Union
- Steve & Touti Arounack
- StoneSoup
- Vatthanathan Lao
- Winai Xiong, Payroll & Tax Solution
We also extend our gratitude to FFB Bank for sponsoring our stage and to Khin Khin Food & Na Nah Thong for providing the delicious dinner and grazing table that fueled our celebration.
The Heart of the Event: Our Team & Volunteers
A special Kop Jai to the dedicated LACF Board Members, Team Members, Community Circle Committee, scholarship readers, ambassadors, and every volunteer. Your unwavering commitment and hard work are the foundation upon which our success is built.
The 7th Annual Dok Huk Gala was a powerful testament to what we can achieve together. As we look ahead, we are filled with hope and determination to continue building a brighter future for our families and children.
The celebration may be over, but our mission continues. Make a donation and help us keep this vital work blooming.
With gratitude,
The Laotian American Community of Fresno Board & Team