The girl’s two-page essay entitled "Lost legacy" began with referring to the world famous Chinese-American writer Amy Tan. Da Giang then recalled her memories of 2001, when she attended an honour ceremony of the Asia-Pacific American Heritage Month at the White House and met with President Bush and such actors as Russel Wong, Lisa Ling and many other celebrities.

The essay said that the Heritage Month presents an opportunity for Americans to study the history of Asian Americans, as well as the foreign cultures and languages that can help them discover a lost legacy.

Ms Giang is studying at Annandale High school in the US State of Virginia.