Q&A
Who is the unsung hero of your graduating class?
Pabelly Bueno: Vasyl Romanyuk because he was mostly quiet, and from being in ESL, he didn’t relate to our class too well because of his accent. He was shy. I give him my respect because it’s not that easy. Rachel Morrison: Vasyl Romanyuk because being in ESL must have been hard on him, and is probably the reason why he’s quiet all the time and shy. I give him a lot of respect for trying to speak out to the class. Jovanny Vasquez: Vasyl Romanyuk because he came out of ESL and had to deal with people acting childish about his heavy accent. Carolina Osma: Jonas Avencina is so kind and generous. He chooses to be so selfless and giving. Jonas plans to devote his life in the Army, to make sure that innocent people don’t die during war time. I don’t believe he has been given enough praise for his innate kindness. Mabelis Torres: Class of 2013!! Aisha Mohammad: Beril Ozden, on of the hardest working students I know. Not only is she an amazing student, and friend, but she is also genuinely the nicest person I have had the pleasure of meeting. Travis Wdowiak: Paola Perez. She’s really awesome, funny, and so helpful and giving. Kyle De Mattia: My best friend throughout the years, Tony. Always fair and impartial, not to mention one of the funniest friends I have. Amanda Myself.
Catherine
Carucci:
8 June 2013 • Clifton Merchant
Vasyl Romanyuk, pictured at center standing next to his business teacher Kathy Rossi, came to America from Ukraine four years ago. He was surprised to learn that many of his classmates thought he was the ‘unsing hero’ of his class. They cited his determination and ability to let mockery and teasing roll off his back. While he speaks fluent Ukrainian and Russian and understands Polish and French, his English language skills were weak when he began CHS in his Freshman year. Thanks to hard work on his part and the support of family, teachers and peers at CHS, he is now fluent. While he has a slight accent, Romanyuk thinks his experience in the ESL program will help him reach his goal of becoming a NJ State Trooper or a US Federal Marshal. “America has given myself and my family many opportunities,” he said after class. “Like every American teenager, I work and have bought a car and enjoy the freedom and opportunities we have here.” His mom and dad along with his sister Olena, a CHS Freshman, live in Botany Village.