October 2004

North Hollywood Monthly Spotlight
This Month's Spotlight Focus: 

Dennis Huynh Nguyen

Take a moment and catch up with a man who enjoys to wax philosophical on Roald Dahl, the meaning of life and the gas mileage of his car.

It's not easy being Dennis Nguyen, but it sure is fun.  Born Dennis
Huynh Nguyen on December 18, 1983, this apple of any Vietnamese
parent's eye was stricken early in life with a socially fatal label:
being the "good guy."  Dennis currently attends the University of
California in Los Angeles and is pursuing a major in the
oh-so-competitive field of biology, a degree in which he will obtain
in one to three more years.  Amidst the juggling of his social and
spiritual life, this 20-year-old NH native and Northridge resident
approaches his obstacles in a graceful, yet macho stride.

When Dennis isn't busy being the ubiquitous CMA stalwart, he prides
himself in his spare time with his hobbies: Bowling ("I've got a 130
average!" (Yes, Dennis, that is quite average)), snowboarding with his
friends and reading the novel that is his cell phone bill.  Which
leads us to another one of Mr. Nguyen's favorite pastimes: Driving.
It has been reported, that Dennis has driven from his home in
Northridge to Orange County six times altogether, three times
back-and-forth, in one day, breaking the 400-mile mark and hurdling
him and his Honda Accord into the annals of fame.  The time, date,
reasons and motives behind his mythic journey are to this day subject
to elucidation and remain a story of legend.

Why would Dennis Nguyen, a man busy with the world, decide to take on
so many responsibilities inside of his local church?  "I would like to
see this church grow in numbers (youth-wise)," he states.  Raised in a
Christian environment all his life, but only becoming consciously
aware of his spirituality (through a CMA winter camp) seven years ago,
this young adult stresses the importance of a burgeoning youth group.
"We're an evangelical church," he adds.  "So that's what we should be
doing, evangelizing."

With the world at his fingertips and his fingertips at the helm of his
steering wheel, this soon to be twenty-something has much to praise
God for.  His advice to the youth of tomorrow?  "We must all be like
Oompa-Loompas in an elevator and reach for new heights in life…  Oh
yeah, and stay in school."  Thanks for that Dennis; at least you're a
good guy.

NH Spotlight Editor:  Peter N. Nguyen