Board Member Spotlights
Congratulations, Tho Ngo: 2025 Alma C. Liotta Award for Excellence
Spotlight on Tho
Tho joined the LVSC board in 2016. He served as treasurer for six years and started the Golf Fore Literacy fundraising event.
The Alma C. Liotta Award is named for LVSC’s founder. A retired schoolteacher, Ms. Liotta founded our organization at her kitchen table in 1981. This award, given in her memory, is presented to volunteers who have provided extraordinary leadership and service. At the 2025 Annual Meeting & Recognition Night, the award was presented to Tho Ngo, LVSC's outgoing Board Treasurer.
Tho was extremely touched by receiving the Alma C. Liotta award and recognized the two most important women in his life, his wife and his mother, who were both at the Annual Meeting to support him. He also emphasized the long-lasting impact of ESL tutoring. Tho said:
Everyone is always surprised when they learn that I am an immigrant. I came over to America when I was very young, just under two years old. With me were my parents and three older siblings. My parents were also very young, my mom was 20 and my dad 25, and did not speak any English. My parents were introduced to wonderful people, the Revliotties, the Millers, and the Bruges. They taught my parents English and how to get comfortable in a brand-new world. They started as tutors but became close friends with my parents. With their help, my parents were able to get jobs and raise their kids in a foreign country. These tutors gave us that opportunity to have better lives. I think it is safe to say they definitely succeeded, as my mom has 10 grandkids and myself and my siblings are all happy and successful in our own way.
Tho is an actuary from Hillsborough who came to LVSC through his wife, Jessica. Jessica was a tutor and volunteered to help LVSC with its graphic design needs. Tho joined the LVSC board in 2016, and then in 2019 assumed the role of treasurer. Shortly thereafter LVSC was plunged into the financial uncertainty that comes with a global pandemic. Tho quickly enhanced the treasurer’s role by providing analytics that helped us navigate uncertainty and plan for the future. LVSC has grown substantially since that time and the tools he developed continue to guide our financial planning today.
In addition to the important monthly work he’s done as treasurer, Tho has been and continues to be a tremendous LVSC supporter and advocate. On September 8, 2025 we will host our 9th Annual Golf Fore Literacy event – a fundraiser Tho proposed, started, and continues to promote. This event has been a critical way to raise funding during the quiet summer months and has introduced so many new people to LVSC. Through his enthusiastic Golf Fore Literacy efforts, we have raised more than $75,000 to support adult literacy.
In addition, Tho brought LVSC to the attention of his employer, Munich Re, which has generously funded LVSC through grants and matching gift donations and offers LVSC a table at the annual volunteer fair.
Upon receiving the award, Tho addressed LVSC tutors:
In this room tonight my mom, me, and my son represent three generations that greatly benefitted from the objective of teaching adults English. So please know that the value you bring to your students will provide a lasting impact for many generations to come.
