Dar Moo at VC's 2025 Commencement Ceremony
When Dar Moo stepped up to the podium at Victoria College’s commencement ceremony, it was an emotional moment. He couldn’t celebrate his accomplishments without reflecting on the little boy who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand.
“I was born in a refugee camp in Tha Song Yang district in Thailand,” said Moo. “My family and I were blessed to be able to move to the states when I was just under two years old. Growing up, I didn’t always understand what being a refugee meant, but I understood the look in my parents’ eyes when they worked long hours and still came home to my siblings and I full of love and support.”
College always felt like a dream for Moo—like something you only see in the movies. When he decided to enroll at Victoria College and pursue a degree in instrumentation, he wasn’t just doing it for himself. He felt the weight of his family’s legacy and future on his shoulders.
“When I got to Victoria College, there were plenty of moments where I felt alone,” said Moo. “There were times I sat in class wondering if anyone else was carrying the weight of two worlds on their shoulders, with one foot in where they came from and the other where they were trying to go.”
Moo learned to embrace the challenge at VC. He found supportive professors, classmates and a passion for his program. Watching his parents sacrifice so much and work so hard inspired him to push through every obstacle. Graduating with his degree and certificates in instrumentation was a major milestone—not just for Moo, but for his entire family.
“This degree isn’t just mine,” Moo explained. “It also belongs to my parents who gave up everything so I could have a shot. It belongs to every teacher I’ve had in the past who took the extra time to help me pronounce words correctly; every mentor who encouraged me to apply to just one more opportunity; every friend who would text me at one in the morning just to remind me that I was enough; and to my brother, Ehler, who always showed me tough love growing up but pushed me to be better in everything that I did.”
Moo plans to work at a local process plant as a technician while pursuing an electrical engineering degree online at West Texas A&M University. He hopes to use his experience and knowledge as a technician to transition into the world of engineering.
“As we go forward, I hope we carry not just our diplomas and certificates, but the stories that brought us here,” said Moo. “I hope that we remember that our pasts do not limit us, no matter how difficult they may have been. They shape us. They give our hearts purpose.”
VC wants to hear from former and current Pirates. Visit VictoriaCollege.edu/ShareYourStory to submit a success story in honor of VC's 100th anniversary.