International students come together for a common cause
By Janelle Randazza
PEABODY—They are from the Ukraine, Albania, Greece, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Vietnam and many other countries. They walk among the students at PVMHS, yet their high school experience can be very different from other American high school students.
“Sometimes, because we don’t speak English so well, we feel like we are not really a part of anything. It can be hard,” said Junior, Ludyana Soares, whose family emigrated from Brazil 2-1/2 years ago.
Soares is one of 76 PVMHS students, who represent over 24 different countries in PVMHS’s English Language Learners Club.
Started at the beginning of December, from the first meeting the group was eager to use the club as a way to make an impact on the community. The ELL club held their first meeting on December 9 when their advisor, Patricia Asimacos, suggested the students organize a Christmas clothing drive for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. The students enthusiastically tackled their first project and within three days the club had gathered 10 trash bags full of clothes.
“I went home and asked everyone I knew for clothes! My family thought I was crazy,” laughed Freshman Miguel Pena, who came to Peabody from the Dominican Republic 4-1/2 years ago.
Pena’s enthusiasm for helping others is typical of the student in the ELL Club, but their reasoning is atypical of many American high school students. Many of the students said that they were particularly inspired by this project because of their own personal experiences.
“Where I come from they don’t have enough money for food. Life is very hard in the Dominican Republic. Children are sick or hungry and some of them barely even have clothes to wear. You can feel like there isn’t anyone there for you… like there is no one there to help you,” said Pena.
Asimacos says that these students, many of whom struggle with English language skills, were looking for a way to be a part of a community that sometimes might be a difficult fit for them.
“A lot of these kids come from families who don’t have a lot; they have to work in addition to school—not just to buy music or clothes, but because their families need that extra income… A lot of them also have to care for younger brothers and sisters in addition to working and going to school,” said Asimacos, adding that some of the students struggle with school attendance because of home obligations. These obligations make it difficult for them to engage in the regular extra-curricular activities that enrich a student’s high school experience. Additionally, language barriers inhibit these students, making them feel less confident to be leaders in the school.
“I wasn’t involved in any of the school clubs—but I wanted to [be],” said junior Nelli Kurochka, who moved to Peabody from the Ukraine a year and a half ago. Kurochka said she was looking for a way to be involved in the community but her language struggles made her too shy to join other clubs.
“These kids really want to be involved. This is a way for them to feel more a part of a community, not just in school but in the city they live in,” said Asimacos.
For their outstanding efforts, the students were awarded a president’s award from United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Hope Moore, the organization’s aptly named Director of Development, presented the award.
“These students have shown such character and genuine caring. It’s very special and very touching,” said Moore.
The students were equally touched to receive the award. Soares says that receiving the award was one of the best gifts she’s ever received.
“I don’t have words to describe it,” said the junior.
The students all agreed that helping in the community is the best way to be a part of it and they look forward to doing more community service with the group. Another clothing drive is already being planned for the spring.
“Just you wait. Last time we only had a week to get clothes. This time we have months to get them!” said Pena.
To Pena and the others, motivation to help others comes easily, “We may not have the same mother or father but we are family.”
PEABODY—They are from the Ukraine, Albania, Greece, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Vietnam and many other countries. They walk among the students at PVMHS, yet their high school experience can be very different from other American high school students.
“Sometimes, because we don’t speak English so well, we feel like we are not really a part of anything. It can be hard,” said Junior, Ludyana Soares, whose family emigrated from Brazil 2-1/2 years ago.
Soares is one of 76 PVMHS students, who represent over 24 different countries in PVMHS’s English Language Learners Club.
Started at the beginning of December, from the first meeting the group was eager to use the club as a way to make an impact on the community. The ELL club held their first meeting on December 9 when their advisor, Patricia Asimacos, suggested the students organize a Christmas clothing drive for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. The students enthusiastically tackled their first project and within three days the club had gathered 10 trash bags full of clothes.
“I went home and asked everyone I knew for clothes! My family thought I was crazy,” laughed Freshman Miguel Pena, who came to Peabody from the Dominican Republic 4-1/2 years ago.
Pena’s enthusiasm for helping others is typical of the student in the ELL Club, but their reasoning is atypical of many American high school students. Many of the students said that they were particularly inspired by this project because of their own personal experiences.
“Where I come from they don’t have enough money for food. Life is very hard in the Dominican Republic. Children are sick or hungry and some of them barely even have clothes to wear. You can feel like there isn’t anyone there for you… like there is no one there to help you,” said Pena.
Asimacos says that these students, many of whom struggle with English language skills, were looking for a way to be a part of a community that sometimes might be a difficult fit for them.
“A lot of these kids come from families who don’t have a lot; they have to work in addition to school—not just to buy music or clothes, but because their families need that extra income… A lot of them also have to care for younger brothers and sisters in addition to working and going to school,” said Asimacos, adding that some of the students struggle with school attendance because of home obligations. These obligations make it difficult for them to engage in the regular extra-curricular activities that enrich a student’s high school experience. Additionally, language barriers inhibit these students, making them feel less confident to be leaders in the school.
“I wasn’t involved in any of the school clubs—but I wanted to [be],” said junior Nelli Kurochka, who moved to Peabody from the Ukraine a year and a half ago. Kurochka said she was looking for a way to be involved in the community but her language struggles made her too shy to join other clubs.
“These kids really want to be involved. This is a way for them to feel more a part of a community, not just in school but in the city they live in,” said Asimacos.
For their outstanding efforts, the students were awarded a president’s award from United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Hope Moore, the organization’s aptly named Director of Development, presented the award.
“These students have shown such character and genuine caring. It’s very special and very touching,” said Moore.
The students were equally touched to receive the award. Soares says that receiving the award was one of the best gifts she’s ever received.
“I don’t have words to describe it,” said the junior.
The students all agreed that helping in the community is the best way to be a part of it and they look forward to doing more community service with the group. Another clothing drive is already being planned for the spring.
“Just you wait. Last time we only had a week to get clothes. This time we have months to get them!” said Pena.
To Pena and the others, motivation to help others comes easily, “We may not have the same mother or father but we are family.”
posted by Janelle at 10:35 AM
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