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South Philadelphia High School student receives Princeton Prize

For the second straight year, an Asian student at South Philadelphia High, the scene of bloody anti-Asian violence on Dec. 3, 2009, has been awarded the Princeton Prize on Race Relations from Princeton University.

Duong Nghe Ly, left, and Helen Gym, right, speak during a rally last year in front of South Philadelphia High School at Broad and Snyder. Ly was awarded the Princeton Prize on Race Relations. (Staff File Photo)
Duong Nghe Ly, left, and Helen Gym, right, speak during a rally last year in front of South Philadelphia High School at Broad and Snyder. Ly was awarded the Princeton Prize on Race Relations. (Staff File Photo)Read more

For the second straight year, an Asian student at South Philadelphia High, the scene of bloody anti-Asian violence on Dec. 3, 2009, has been awarded the Princeton Prize on Race Relations from Princeton University.

Duong Nghe Ly, a 19-year-old senior, has received the prize for his work in co-founding the Asian Student Association of Philadelphia, and for "exceptional leadership" in exploring solutions to racially-motivated violence at his school and throughout the city, Princeton officials said Tuesday.

"It's recognition not just for me, but for what my friends have done these past years, our efforts in improving the school and improving the relationship between Asian students and African American students particularly," Ly said in an interview.

On Dec. 3, 2009, the school was rocked by a daylong series of assaults on Asian students, carried out by groups of mostly African American classmates.

The Princeton Prize is awarded annually to high-school students from each of 23 regions around the country. It was established by the university in 2003 "to promote harmony, respect, and understanding among people of different races" by recognizing students who have had "a significant, positive effect on race relations in their schools or communities."

The award, which comes with $1,000, will be presented to Ly by Princeton University officials and regional alumni at a ceremony at St. Joseph's University on April 27.

Contact Inquirer staff writer Jeff Gammage at 215-854-2415 or jgammage@phillynews.com