Senior Stella Ngan recently finished her fourth and final season on the John Carroll Badminton team. Stella came to the team all the way from Danang City, Vietnam and played in the top singles position.

Growing up in Vietnam, Stella began playing badminton in fifth grade long before anyone else on the JC team started playing the sport. However, it was not until eighth grade that she fell in love with the sport. She originally started playing due to the influence of her parents.

Stella said, “My badminton coach in Vietnam inspired me. He always praised me and supported me in playing it. I really liked watching him play badminton because he was a master, so I admired that, and that is when I started to see it as an interesting sport.”

Stella’s freshman year was also her first year in the United States. Her favorite memory occurred during her freshman year when “I went to competition; my teachers and friends supported me a lot, and I became more confident.” She added that they won second place in the tournament.

“My biggest difficulty is my lack of confidence. I always thought I was not good enough. I overcame it thanks to the love that everyone around me gave me.”

Stella’s other hobbies include taekwondo, ice skating, and drawing. She also enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and pets.

Next year, Stella will continue her education at the Community College of Baltimore County where she will be majoring in architecture. She also found a club team so she can continue to play badminton after graduation.

“I will miss my teammates, especially the coach, who has accompanied me for four seasons,” she said.

Stella had a positive influence on the entire JC badminton program, including the team cheer. Before every game for the past four years, the team has chanted a cheer in Vietnamese.

Stella said, “Studying abroad was really the right choice for my life; I will never forget this experience. Everyone here has treated me so well.”