STUDENT ANTHOLOGY
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2021
KENOSHA LITERACY COUNCIL STUDENT ANTHOLOGY 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
The articles that are contained in the 2021 Student Anthology are the actual essays that were authored by Kenosha Literacy Council adult learners. These stories are unedited as much as possible and reflect the abilities learners, all at different places on their journey of literacy education. Statements and opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the author or authors and do not reflect the views and opinions of the KLC Board of Directors and staff.
The Kenosha Literacy Council did more in 2021 because more was required of us. Through the challenges of the pandemic we are moving forward with new approaches to learning. We never stopped serving adult learners and their families. They’ve persisted and overcome many obstacles to continue working towards their goals. This can be seen through their own words in the stories they authored for this year’s anthology. We're pleased to present the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Student Anthology. There are many essays that focus on the themes of Talents & Hobbies, Travel Adventures, and Happiness. At the Kenosha Literacy Council we see firsthand how adult literacy is a factor in almost every socioeconomic issue, including parenting, health care, workforce development, and poverty. We believe that literacy is a basic human right and the foundation for lifelong learning. Our programs teach reading, writing and speaking skills to adults so they and their families can achieve financial independence, good health and greater involvement in our community. We give adult learners the tools they need to change their lives. When their hard work and determination is paired with KLC’s educational opportunities the results are life-changing. We want to thank all the learners and tutors who worked so hard on preparing their stories. Learners should be very proud of their writing accomplishments. We hope you enjoy the 2021 Student Anthology!
Cheryl Hernandez Executive Director
Cassie Christianson Program Coordinator
Table of Contents Traveling Adventures 1. Tales from the Rocking Chair by Giovanni Ortega 2. The Romantic Adventures with My Love by Isabel Chavez 3. My Las Vegas Trip by Agda Lopes 4. Family Beach Vacation by Diana Arredondo 5. Traveling to Florida by Tom Theisen 6. In Chihuahua with My Sister by Rosalinda Andrade 7. A Day at the Beach by Antonio Arredondo 8. Trip to Cancun by Christina Gentz 9. Veracruz is Beautiful by Karelia Mortera 10. Adventure in KLC Kayak by Elizabeth Devora 11. Sailing Day by Pedro Popoca 12. My Trip to El Salvador by Flor Duarte 13. My Vacation to Nueva Vallarta by Carmen Surratt 14. Road Trip to Washington by Rito Lomeli 15. Mission Trip by Michael Santiago 16. A Little Piece of My Life by Sujette Guerrero Talents and Hobbies 17. My Siding Job by Carlos Vazquez 18. House Work by Martina Payan 19. Praise the Lord by Chris Bogan
Page 2 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 18 Page 20
Page 23 Page 24 Page 25
20. Singing by Payao Moua 21. This My Dream by Sergio Jaimes 22. My Happy Garden by Yonghuang Zhang 23. Fashion and Style Is My Passion by Angie Avirama 24. Singing in the Church by Bernadine Nwogu 25. I Like to Dance by Marilu Martinez 26. The Dance by Guadalupe Gonzalez 27. Final Game by Brenda Zavala 28. Love for the Art and Kids by Diana Guzman Happiness 29. Dream to Be a U.S. Citizen by Marina Dukic 30. Cleaning the House by Konstyantyn Grygorovych 31. A Happy Home by Yinghui Jiang 32. Happy San Lay Paw by San Lay Paw 3. Happy in Kenosha by Yolanda Sanchez 34. A Piece of Puerto Rico in My Kitchen by Luz Santos 35. Happy Birthday by Esmeralda Ramirez 36. Mother's Day Is Important by Alex Navarro 37. Mother's Day by Gabriela Perez 38. Spring Break by Corazon Dominguez 39. Why I Love the Spring by Rupert Feurtado 40. Music Makes Me Happy by Bernadina Pedro Martinez
Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34
Page 37 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49
41. My Son Changed by Aracely Sanchez 42. My Favorite Summertime Memory by Angie Cruz 43. Money Recovered by Adalberto Duarte 44. Happiness Means to Me by Shakeela Amin Looking Back on 20 Years of Success 45. My Path to the Land of Happiness by Susana Jamaica 46. Our First Parade by Sara Rojas 47. A New Baby by Veronica Herrera 48. If I Had One Day to Spend with James by Ruby Williams 49. My History by Erwin Gonzalez 50. I Like to Go to School by Tin Win 51. Family Camping Trip by Maria Perz 52. Why I Like the USA by Luciano Ojeda 53. Be Inspired - Da Vinci by Jesus Villasenor 54. My Sister by Maya Burghol 55. Literacy Council by Mariana Hernandez 56. Braids by Anais Irrizary 57. My Christmas in Ecuador by Marilyn Loor 58. Woman's Day by Svetlana Saliyev 59. Hard Work by Linda Williams 60. Parrandas by Elizabeth Santana 61. How We Moved to the United States by Vikktoriia Stoieva 62. Kayaking by Maria Ramirez
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Page 55 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 63 Page 65 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 75 Page 77
TRAVELING ADVENTURES
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Tales from the Rocking Chair
In my childhood, my afternoon vacation days usually passed while 11 kids were speedily running around and screaming at the top of their lungs, included me. There was a TV that sounded at maximum volume and some toys were flying back and forth through the living room. The bustle was actually annoying and maddening, but wonderful at the same time, and so this was my grandparents’ home. Some days slightly and suddenly, among sobs, screams, and cries my grandfather walked carefully trying not to step on different things scattered all over the living room floor. The mess was abruptly interrupted when he turned the TV off, and then everyone fell into a deep silence. The toys were no longer flying and everyone got seated on the floor, as if doomsday had arrived. I remember how my cousins were sitting around me on the floor, and how my grandfather took a seat in front of us on his wooden rocking chair, starting gently and loudly to speak toward us promptly. Meanwhile my grandmother brought us hot chocolate and sweet bread, with the help of my aunts. Thus began the stories of Grandfather, originating from his travels from town to town when he was a regional merchant in the Serra de Alvarez area. Stories that seemed out of a fairy tale were accumulated throughout his travels included a wide variety of titles. As Braided-Horse Ponytail, Digging Up Gold Coins, Flying Fire-balls on the Sierra the Alvarez Sky, Big Snake Against Donkey, The Evil Eye Believeness and The Polyglot.
Name:
Giovanni Ortega
Learning Goal:
2
I want to learn English to go back to college for a better job.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
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on Still I can feel the blood running speedily through my veins when I was excited and I started to imagine different characters such as goblins, witches, wizards, healers, midwifes, nahuales, giant snakes, livingshadows, ghosts, indigenous-people, and more. I still can feel going through my skin-pores the weather from different scenarios, such as markets, stores, train stations, wee towns, woods, ravines, canyons, cliffs and trails among other scenery. How could I forget, when I was really worried about him and his uncle and cousin because they always were immersed in an adventure-dangerous situation, but better yet, unforgettable when they unwrapped and resolved successfully an incredible, passionate educational fable. So I lived on my tip toes with each thrilling short story that I heard from the unmoving rocking chair. He always fulfilled us with an adventure fable with undeniably insightful values for proper-social behavior. So I learned about the menace of words such as envy, selfishness, laziness, avarice, despair and fear, but I learned too about gratitude, happiness, fullness, teamwork, self-care, time management, kindness, honesty, accountability, curiosity, respect, empathy, determination, open-mindedness, communication, perseverance, loyalty and more. It was a memorable time listening to grandfather in the rocking chair that contributed to forming me into the person I am today.
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The Romantic Adventures with My Love
We love to travel, eat, watch tv, and enjoy our family. We like to walk on the beach, in the parks and we like to exercise using our bikes. We both like to cook and he’s good at baking. Our way of sharing the day doing things together and telling each other I love you very much. And giving us our hug and kiss makes us very happy since we live this day as if it were the last because only god knows if we are going to have life tomorrow. Showing the person we love with our daily actions is what makes me happy. No matter how tired I feel, when I see his beautiful smile and his gratitude is one of the things that makes me happy.
Name:
Isabel Chavez
Learning Goal:
4
I need to use English at my church to teach classes.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
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My Las Vegas Trip
My first travel in United States was for Las Vegas. In September 2021, my husband and I traveled for Las Vegas to celebrate my husband’s birthday. It was an incredible trip. We saw beautiful hotels and many restaurants with very good foods. We like to eat! We also saw a beautiful aquarium with many different fish. I touched a sting ray but I did not like it. We went to the Grand Canyon, that place is very, very wonderful. Another place that we visited was Cirque du Solei. It was fantastic, I loved it so much. It was a wonderful week. I want to go back.
Country: Brazil
Meet The Author
Name:
Agda Lopes
Learning Goal:
My goal is to speak fluent English so I can go shopping & talk to the doctor.
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Family Beach Vacation
I don’t remember when exactly, but It was 3 years ago. In the month of August, my family and me decided to go to the beach and take vacation. My family is my parents, my two brothers , my two sisters and my nephew. My father drove 11 hours. We went to the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, it is Mexico’s beach. We planned all the trip in one week. We thought that all family needed to take vacations together because we didn’t have any vacations all together. We visited an island, we needed to arrive to it on boat. I enjoyed to travel on boat because it’s very different and you can look at a lot of beautiful views. They are amazing! When we arrive to the island, we played on the beach with the waves, the day was very hot and the water was very good for us. Later we went to the rustic restaurant next to the beach. We ate a lot of fish and shrimp. We loved them. I drunk “pina colada.'' It is a type of drink with pineapple. For last, we came back to the city and we went to the outdoor market. You can buy things that remember the place; for example, clothes with the beach's name. I bought a t-shirt, hat, cup, and key ring with the beach’s name. I loved this day!
Name: Diana Arredondo Learning Goal:
6
I want to be confident using English at work and in a restaurant.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
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Traveling to Florida
My kids and I drove to Florida in the spring time to visit family. It was a very nice vacation for all of us. I don’t usually get to spend a lot of time with my kids or my grandkids. We got to see our family, my sister, mom, nephew, and niece. We got to eat all our favorite foods. We played cards and games. We went to watch my niece play a baseball game. One of the days we went to the ocean all day and that was lot’s of fun. We spent the whole day there and ate dinner there. We also went to the lazy river on innertubes, which was so much fun. On the last day there, it was Easter Sunday so we cooked a ham and all the fixings and all kind of desserts. It was so much fun to spend time with everyone. We did not want to go home. But all good things must come to an end. We all drove home we stopped on our way home at stores and got souvenirs.
Country:
United States
Meet The Author
Name:
Tom Theisen
Learning Goal:
I want to get my G.E.D. and write better for emails at work.
2021 Student Anthology
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In Chihuahua with My Sister
I took vacation in March with my sister Rosario. I had not seen her for 20 years! I was so happy to see her. I traveled to Chihuahua and my sister came to see me. We met at the hotel. We talked a lot. All night. We had a supper every night together. We then went to Walmart to buy groceries. The fourth day, we visited downtown Chihuahua we saw Juan’s Gabriel and Jose. Juan Gabriel was a famous artist. We saw a beautiful church. We went to the park downtown where you can eat, you can shop, you can take pictures, and you can go inside the church. I like to visit this place because this place is historical and the food is delicious.
Name: Rosalinda Andrade Learning Goal:
I want to get my U.S. Citizenship. 8
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
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A Day at the Beach
Three years ago I go with my son to Acapulco. I had much stress, work and problems in my house. We went on the weekend. On Friday, we go to the ocean. We were playing, my son is scared. The ocean is big. He was floating in the water. On the beach my son was digging and I buried him in the sand. He was very happy. On Saturday going to other beach very beautiful. My son was excited watching one turtle. It was beautiful. On Sunday my son and me playing in the pool of the hotel. It was fun vacation.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Antonio Arredondo
Learning Goal:
I need to use English at work and to talk to the police.
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Trip to Cancun
One day my sister and I were having coffee and talking about going on a trip to Cancun. We decided to go to Cancun. We got our plane tickets and other reservations for one week. Next, we went shopping for sandals, sun glasses, dresses, digital cameras, and other things. In Cancun we went to the beach. We went jet skiing and water skiing on the boat.
Name:
Christina Gentz
Learning Goal:
10
I want to improve my reading and writing for my job.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
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Veracruz Is Beautiful
The spring in Veracruz Mexico is so beautiful. Veracruz is very hot, but what have you to lose in Veracruz? They have very good thermal waters. It's like soothing, relaxing water. Also, they have a lot of flowers everywhere and the food is wonderfully fresh. Veracruz is famous for the beautiful beaches also, Veracruz have a lot of history they have history about the Huastecos and Totonocas. In Veracruz, they have a big aquarium. This aquarium, it is under the ocean.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Karelia Mortera
Learning Goal:
Get my U.S. Citizenship 11
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Adventure in KLC Kayak
This happened in the adventure class at the KLC in summer on Lake Michigan in Kenosha WI. Was the lake in the kayak my first time in the harbor, I was scared to go alone because the kayak might tip over in the cool water, but Yolanda told me, "don’t worry, we are together." She is the front, and me in the back. She said she would paddle on the right and I would paddle on the left but doing it together at the same time was very hard and funny. At the end, we were able to go straight. The funniest thing that happened was when Carlos rolled over in the water. He was able to climb back into the kayak and every one laughed. Even though he was ok, he was still afraid of tipping over. The only thing that wasn’t so good was that the water smell like fish. My experience was very good and next , I would like to go Kayaking with my family.
Name:
Elizabeth Devora
Learning Goal:
12
Speak English with people from different countries.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
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Sailing Day Last summer Teacher Cassie organized adventure class as a program at Kenosha Literacy Council. She had taught in a fun class with different activities to go out of the Literacy Council.
She brought her friend Chip and they was thinking about an adventure by Lake Michigan. So then on a day in June, a sunny day in the morning, we arrived at Yacht Club. We did 2 groups. I went with men. Then we started. The sailboat was moving a lot. The waves were very big. I remember it was hot outside but the water was cold. At beginning, I was so excited because it was something new for me. I enjoy it. I see around the lake. It was my first time there. It was amazing. Definitely I would do it again because it feels good to sailing in the water. I don’t feel I could drive the boat safely, but I would like to ride. It is wonderful sailing on the water.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Pedro Popoca
Learning Goal:
I want to learn English to get a better job. 13
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My Trip to El Salvador
On June 18 to July 18 2019 I went to El Salvador on a trip with my kids. The trip was by air plane. In El Salvador waiting for us was my cousins’s family. The next day we went to the ocean. Everybody was excited. The kids were very happy. The trip was on a bus. In the bus the kids were singing and playing and the parents talked. The trip was for three hours on the road, but we felt like 30 minutes. Finally we were on the Barra de Santiago. The place was amazing. The ocean was beautiful. The water was so crystal clear. The waves were big and the kids played in the sand. They made sand castles, we drank coconut water and ate shrimp cocktails. Everybody played in the water. It was a beautiful day in the ocean we stayed late because we wanted to see the sunset. We also stopped at a store for a souvenir. I bought wall decoration with a picture of El Salvador city and a key ring pendant for my sisters and brother. Going back home everyone on the bus was asleep because they were tired. I hope to go back to El Salvador someday again because the ocean is amazing and I want to see my family again but it is so expensive but I plan to go back next year.
Name:
Flor Duarte
Learning Goal:
Talk and understand perfect English 14
Country:
El Salvador
Meet The Author
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My Vacation to Nueva Vallarta
I went to Nueva Vallarta in 2009. Nuevo Vallarta is a beach in Jalisco Mexico. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy vacation. I was thrilled when my sister Monica and my cousin Nancy invited me to go with them. We really enjoyed every minute of it!
I was fascinated exploring the sea, especially the waves and the sand. My first impression was when I got into the sea to swim, the water was very salty! It was new for me because I haven’t been in the sea before, so I was learning new things and at the same time I was enjoying and playing like a child! My sister and my cousin buried me with sand. It was a good experience for me!
During the day there were beverages, music, and a dance entertainer around the pool. It was fantastic! Then for lunch time there was a food buffet. I ate too much, everything was excellent! At night there were comedians, games, music and karaoke on the stage. The event coordinator shoes people from the audience to participate in the games. The participants were so funny! I laughed until my stomach hurt. It was one of my best vacations!
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Carmen Surratt
Learning Goal:
I want to learn English to find a job working in an office.
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Road Trip to Washington
I drive to Washington on 4th of May on Highway 90 to Madison and going to Lacrosse, Wisconsin. Pass the Mississippi River on the border for Minnesota is wonderful cities. Has a lot of fields and lots of the windmills. I drive around 8 hours on Wisconsin and Minnesota. I take a break on border of Minnesota in South Dakota. The South Dakota is beautiful state the little river in big mountain on big rock and wild goat in the stone. I drive 10 more hours going to Mount Rushmore stay maybe 2 hours visiting different places. Going for Wyoming and Yellowstone Park I see volcano and geysers. Montana is a big state and has a big forest and antique gold mine and big freeways. The trucks put chains on the wheels to not slide on the mountain. The Idaho is a state for harvest the potato and onions, and we saw a cow and horse. Wyoming on the border state of Washington. It have a beautiful city. Spokane, Washington and the big river on Washington have a lot of history. In Yakima, Washington is a lot of field for the apple trees.
Name:
Rito Lomeli
Learning Goal:
16
I want to learn English to communicate at work.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
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on Seattle, Washington have the first Starbucks Coffee. The space needle is a marvelous place. I see the city lights and the building for the Microsoft Company and the big house of Bill Gates. Washington have the freeways for connect California and Canada and the evergreen is a lot of forest. And train rail in the tunnel is near the beach. Seattle has a port. It is very nice. My uncle lived in the Bothel, Washington. I liked my visit with my family and like the road trip. I will go again.
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Mission Trip
My employer, Ascension Hospital, in Racine, WI gave me a voucher of $1,000 to spend in the hospital medical supply department. Some of the stuff I bought with the money the hospital gave me. I bought IV supply, catheter bag, first aid kit, gloves, and much more. Then I contacted Racine Fire Department to see if they had any expired medical supplies and they did. I made an appointment to pick up the supplies from Racine Fire Department and I ended up picking up six big boxes full of different medical supplies. The word was spreading around about me going to Puerto Rico for the mission trip, and staff members from the hospital Ascension were calling me. I was picking up traveling bags full of general medical supplies. I also was working part time for Erickson Ambulance in Racine at that time. They gave a life pack monitor and five boxes of medical supplies. Doctor Asanie from Ascension Hospital gave me checks of $250 to donate to the hospital in Puerto Rico, called La Hospital del Mastro. The Total amount I gather of medical supplies was 35 longes full of different supplies plus clothes and shoes and two boxes of syringes, a total of 200 syringes. So the day came we fill my pick up truck, all 35 bags in the cab. My dad name is Manuel Santiago, and he was the only one traveling with me to Puerto Rico.We bought the ticket with American Airlines. We get to the airport at 4 AM and the vice president for Ascension Hospital gave me a letter stating about the medical supplies, and asked for some type of discount. American Airline did not charge me a dime to check in all the medical supplies. Once that happen, I know that God was on my side and that the mission trip was going to be a blessing.
Name:
Michael Santiago
Learning Goal:
18
I want to improve my writing for communication at work.
Country:
Puerto Rico
Meet The Author
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on Something that I forgot to mention is that since the day I was thinking about doing the mission tripI was super nervous and doubting myself that this mission trip was not going to work. Some examples that was going through my head was people are going to rob me and my Dad for the medical supply, that it would be difficult going to see the people in need. I look out the window and see Puerto Rico. All I felt in my heart was pain and sadness seeing the whole island in blue tarps because there was no roof. The whole land was destroyed. Finally the airplane landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico and now everything sets in. There is no going back home now. I am here on a mission to help my people. My uncle pick us up from the airport in a pick up truck. Then my uncle drop me off about 15 minutes from the airport to pick up my minivan that I rent to move around. Okay, we pick up the minivan and drive to my hometown Yabucoa where we were going to stay for the past three month and help anyone in need. My aunt have a duplex house, she live in the top with her husband and the bottom part is empty and that was the place that my Dad and I stayed in the time we were in Puerto Rico. When the night come it was so scary because all you hear was the generator running all night and people shooting. That happen the first night so I went to sleep with a machete next to me. I was ready to defend myself if anything bad happened. The morning came and we were up by 5:00 am fill up the minivan and went to visit the first family. Her mother haven’t have her Cather Folay bag changed in 3 months and also was in need of Depends and wipes. We arrive at her house I change her foley bags gave them some medical supply. Talk to the family and they told me that FEMA was staying 10 minutes away from where I was that I should go with my Dad and talk to them. My Dad and I go to the FEMA location and it was a warehouse where they keep the big blue tarps, food and water. I talk to the supervisor and told them what I was doing and they told me to make a list of the family I visit and to come back to the warehouse, pick food and take to the family.
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A Little Piece of My Life
My favorite place is the forest and rivers. When I stay close to the nature, I feel comfortable and I can think about all my life and remember which was my favorites moments. Last year, I went to visit a big forest with my boyfriend, we stayed just one night inside of a cabin on the big tree. That experience was the best in my life for the moment.
I have a lot of good memories of my trip in the big forest in the state of Puebla. In that forest, there are three different cabins. We rented the second cabin. All the cabins are on top of the trees, the cabins were built with wood. In the middle, the room in the roof there was a little window and I could see the stars, the trees cross all the cabin for the middle of the room. That cabin had three big windows in the third window, I could see the whole forest canyon and the sunset. I can’t see animals, I just heard birds. I saw a little car and a friendly dog. Inside of the reception, every morning, I smelt coffee. My favorite part about that trip was when I took the break in the balcony with a cup of coffee. Fresh bread and I can see the sunrise light all the forest.
Name:
Sujette Guerrero
Learning Goal:
20
I want to feel confident speaking English in the community with people.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
TALENTS AND HOBBIES
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My Siding Job Hi! It’s me Carlos. I’m a construction worker. I do siding job and I really like work on it. My first thing to do every day is drive at the place where we’ll work. We do different kind of jobs; for example, soffit, facias, wrap windows, siding, and trimming. We need check all around the house to make a plan how can we do that looks much better and easy way.
Every day is a new adventure and that make a fun day. Sometimes I work alone, other days we are six people working together but every time trying to do the best job. I enjoy all season of year because the work is outside every time and that is a good part of my job. I talk with the customer about any concern they have and I try to explain how I will fix it.
Name:
Carlos Vazquez
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Learning Goal: Improve my pronunciation for talking at work.
Country: Mexixo
Meet The Author
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House Work
I cut the grass. I clean the garden. The garden has flowers, roses different colors like red, yellow, white, and pink. I pick the brown dry leaves with a sharp scissors and put them in the garbage can. I saw a brown and grey bunny on the green grass. I saw a brown squirrel playing in my back yard. I clean my kitchen. I wash dishes, the stove, refrigerator, and floor. I clean my living room with a noisy vacuum cleaner. I dust furniture, including tables.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Martina Payan
Learning Goal:
Speak English at the doctor’s office. 24
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Praise The Lord
Sing to the lord a new song. It is praise in the assembly of the saints. Psalms 149:1 I found my talent for singing at a young age. My brothers and I would sing around the house. No matter what we were doing, we would find ourselves singing. Even walking down the road, we were singing. People sitting on their porches would say “that’s them Bogan boys.” Later on in life, we moved up North. Things started to pick up for me. First I started with my uncle. Then I had a vision about singing with a group. Then the lord put it on my heart to start my own group and three of my brothers singing with my uncle and me. Now I have a group with my wife, daughter and my granddaughter. We are called “The Songs of Faith.” We recently added another young member to the group. She is a family friend’s granddaughter. Now I am speaking faith about my great grandson Dezrial. He has already started to squeal in a strong voice. He loves to beat on things like a drummer. I can see talent in him already.
Name:
Christopher Bogan
Learning Goal: To achieve my G.E.D. 25
Country:
United States
Meet The Author
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Singing
I started like to sing when I was fourteen years old. I like to sing because I can feel it in my heart and it make me feel sad and happy. I like to sing at home and anywhere no words can tell my feeling, that’s why I started to sing. When I started singing. I liked slow songs the best. I was singing everyday. When I was seventeen years old, I heard a rap song. It’s call: Nkauj hmoodb/hmong girl and I love it. That’s why I like rap music. But I have never tried it before and I know if I try it, I can do it. The song is about a young guy who is in love with a girl. I know I like to sing, but I can’t because I’m so busy with my family it was too much work and now I’m still busy. I know I can’t be a singer, but I’m so proud I can sing and happy when I’m singing. I never had a teacher to teach me singing.
Country: Laos
Meet The Author
Name:
Payao Moua
Learning Goal:
I want to know English to use transportation and fill out forms.
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This Is My Dream
I am a soccer player at Tremper high school. Why do I like to play soccer? I like to play soccer with my friends in Colombia. I came to the United States five months ago. Now, I am a starter at Tremper High School, and sixteen is the number on my uniform. I play center back on the team. My dream is to study in the University for hardware and software engineer. I want to live in Japan working on my computer as a hardware and software engineer. When I was in Colombia, I studied at school mechatronic for 4 years and I like everything that’s related to programming electronic devices. I’d like to learn three languages more English, Japanese, and sign language. I want to get a scholarship to my university to study software and hardware engineering.
Name:
Sergio Jaimes
Learning Goal:
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2021 Student Anthology
First, speak English. Second, Scholarship. Third, University software, hardware engineering. Fourth, speak Japanese, sing languages, and live in Japan
Country: Colombia
Meet The Author
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My Happy Garden At my house I have a big garden. I like to water the garden. I have red roses. I have white lilies.
I grow vegetables in my garden. I grow purple, eggplant, green peppers, red peppers, red tomatoes, zucchini, green pumpkins and little onions. The zucchini is very big. I cook, pizza with the peppers from my garden. I see bees and a butterfly in my garden. My garden makes me feel happy.
Country: China
Meet The Author
Name:
Yonghuang Zhang
Learning Goal:
I want to speak to people and get a job. 28
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Fashion and Style Is My Passion
Being a designer was my dream when I was a child. My mom inspired me because she made clothes for me and my sisters using my dad’s old pants. She taught me to use the sewing machine and I started sewing some doll clothes. I also learned to dress up nicely for any occasion. My mom always looked fabulous and perfect. She refuses to go out without earrings. I went to designer school in Colombia, working during the day as a secretary and going to designer school at nights. It was a challenge since there were expensive fees and materials. The design project were fun and expensive but exciting. I did a deal with my sister who was working as a secretary too. She gave me the money for the materials like fabrics, zippers, buttons etc. and I made the projects in her size , then she can us them to work. In my country, fabric stores are huge and I always found whatever I needed to sew. Fashion world is really my passion, dressing up for interviews was a challenge for me. I started designing clothes and some accessories like bags and jewelry. I decided to learn more about image so Ican help people dress up correctly. I took some Image consultant classes and I found this Association called AICJ - International Association of Image Consultants. I finished my masters degree in International image Consultant in August. Now I know more about image and I can help people with their image.
Name:
Angie Avirama
Learning Goal: Improve my English, talk and write good 29
Country: Colombia
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
Singing in the Church Our father who art in Heaven. Hail Mary full of grace.
I want to tell you about singing in the church. I sing in the choir every Sunday and Monday at 7:00 AM. I go to Mount Carmel Church in Kenosha. My favorite hymn is "Hallelujah". I learned how to sing by watching the other people because I am still learning English. It was different when I went to church in Nigeria because I had family there and everyone at church greets you saying “My sister” or “My brother” Also, the singing is very active with clapping and movements that make me very happy. The church doors are never locked in Nigeria. You can go in anytime. In the United States, they keep the doors locked.
Country: Nigeria
Meet The Author
Name:
Bernadine E. Nwogu
Learning Goal:
Learn to read and write English to get my citizenship.
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I Like to Dance
I like to dance. I like to dance to music reggaeton, cumbia, bachata, merengue and disco. I dance at parties, clubs, and classes. I dance with people at the club. I learned to dance in classes at Kenosha Zumba. My favorite song is "Primer Beso". It means first kiss. It is cumbia music and you dance fast to this song. Dancing helps me have less stress and is good exercises. I think dancing is a fun hobby.
Name:
Marilu Martinez
31
Learning Goal: I want to communicate in an emergency.
Country: Mexixo
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
The Dance I have always liked dancing since I was young. It has always made me happy.
I like all music in English and Spanish and when I go with my husband it makes me happy. He likes it too. And when we go on vacation we always look for where to go to dance and have fun as much as we can.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Guadalupe Gonzalez
Learning Goal:
I need to use English at my work. 32
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Final Game
My name is Brenda, I am from Mexico. I am married and I have 2 boys. In Mexico, I played soccer. My team was the best for the final game of the tournament. We had a very difficult game. I hurt my foot, but we won the game. We was very happy for be number one. I like to play soccer because it is a very good exercise and you can make a lot of friends. I am very grateful to my husband that he taught me to play. Now, I want to teach my children to play soccer because is very fun, and we will play together
Name:
Brenda Zavala
33
Country: Mexixo
Learning Goal: I want to speak English more to help my son with homework and therapy.
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
Love for the Art and Kids
It all started when I was little. I always wanted to be a teacher, with the passage of time, manual work, and dance became easier for me. That's how my love for teaching, plastic arts, and dance began. With these disciplines I can let my imagination run wild and bring love and teachings to preschool and elementary age children. Telling them a favorite activity is difficult since I have many but I like it when I work with paint, plasticine, and glue since for me it is exciting to see the happy faces of children. I will tell you, it was a lot of fun plasticine modeling clay with the sixth graders. Also seeing the excitement and joy of the pre-school children when painting with their feet and watching their amazement when they learned the graffito technique. Also, it is not possible to imagine the joy, excitement, and fun we had with the veiled dance activity.
Country: Colombia
Meet The Author
Name:
Diana Guzman
Learning Goal:
I want to be confident speaking in English at work.
34
HAPPINESS
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Dream to be a U.S. Citizen
As I reminisce about the fondest memories of my childhood, one particular moment comes to my mind: Sunday afternoons watching American T.V. networks. Captivated by the television screen, I grew attached to characters in shows, especially Friends, and spent each day dreaming of possibly living a life in the United States as glamorous as my favorite television icons. This attraction to these American lifestyles encouraged me to seek out more information on the United States. I began researching the economic and political structures of the United States and quickly became fascinated with the plethora of opportunities granted to American citizens. It was this research that sparked an epiphany; my life in Serbia had led me to a stagnation in my career. I was deprived of resources necessary for me to financially grow and flourish in my country. I admired the United States’ capitalist structure that provides each person with a chance to become successful through the pursuit of happiness. With this information, I sought to leave for the United States and begin the process for acquiring citizenship. Becoming an American citizen would allow me to seize opportunities to grow as not only a worker, but also as a person. The privilege of being an American citizen would encourage me to work towards achieving my goals because I know that they would be possible. This encouragement would translate into an overall more optimistic outlook towards my future and allow me to engage in bettering the country.
Name:
Marina Dukic
Learning Goal:
I want to be a U.S. citizen. 37
Country: Serbia
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on Although my research revealed many aspects of American culture, the Kenosha Literacy Council Class taught me one of the most critical attributes of being an American citizen -- engaging in civic duties. Through rewarding lectures and fulfilling group discussions, I learned that American citizens carry the honor of being able to vote in state and federal elections, serve as jury members in court, and advocate for changes in policy through interest groups. My time spent in the Kenosha Literacy Council class made me realize that becoming a United State citizen was not only an honor for myself, but also for other fellow citizens because I would be contributing in duties that would impact the lives of the American people. Now, as I turn on my T.V. and channel surf until something interesting catches my attention, I can’t help but play a Friends episode for old times sake. Yet, my perception of the characters has changed over the years. Instead of enviously wishing for my life to be remotely similar to Rachel’s or Monica’s, I am now excited because I know that in the near future, I will be able to begin my journey as an American citizen.
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Cleaning the House
I am happy when I can clean my house. I clean everyday in the morning. I like to clean my bedroom. I clean the floor because it’s dusty. I use a vacuum cleaner to clean my bedroom. I use a dust rag to clean my dresser. I use a washing machine to wash my clothes. I wash my sheets in the washing machine. I go to a laundromat to wash my clothes. Cleaning makes me happy. I like to have a clean house. Other people are happy. I clean my house too. My family like my cleaning too. My sister and mother are happy too.
Name:
Konstyantyn Grygorovych
Learning Goal:
I want to live and work in this country. 39
Country: Ukraine
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
A Happy Home
What is happiness? Everyone’s ideas are different, my happiness is very simple, I think the family living together is happy! I am from China, I have lived in Kenosha for more than 4 years. My family has 4 people, my husband, my two daughters and me. My daughters are 20 and 12 years old. Every time my husband has a day off, we have a big dinner, after dinner, we are together talking a lot, and watching TV. Sometimes we go out walking in the park or we go to the beach. We go to New York once a year, we go shopping. We have a clean house, and we are very happy. I love my home, I love my husband and daughters. Home is happy, home is sweet. I hope my home will forever be happy.
Country: China
Meet The Author
Name:
Ying Hui Jiang
Learning Goal:
I want to speak to my child's teachers. 40
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Happy San Lay Paw
My children make me happy because they’re healthy. They are doing well in school. They listen to their teacher. I have four children and they are listening to me. Hsar Kchor is ten years old and he helps take care of the other children and helps clean the home and listens to me. Hsar moolah is seven years old and he helps me and gives me hugs every day. Timothy Knyan is five years old. He tells me he loves me everyday. My little daughter Joanna Paw is sixteen months old. She dances and sings the ABC’s song. My children enjoy all the food I make. My children like to play with me and talk Karen with me. I like to teach my children the Karen language and they like to learn with me. My family makes me happy. My mom and dad love me and I am happy for that. My mom and dad are in Burma. At their house there is no wi-fi. Because of many mountains the wi-fi can’t go through. My mom and dad want to talk to me but they have to go up a very big mountain that takes 2 hours to go up. Sometimes, they go up the mountain because they want to talk to me and I want to talk to them. When my parents call me, I am very happy because I haven’t seen them in a long time and they only call me sometimes. When I talk to my brother and sister, who live in Thailand, I am happy that they get to talk to me because they have wi-fi. I get to talk to them all the time and am happy.
Name: San Lay Paw Learning Goal:
41
I want to be able to talk to my children's teachers and speak good English.
Country: Burma Myanmar
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
Happy in Kenosha
My husband Jose and I moved from Mexico to US in 2018. We first lived in Texas. We moved to Kenosha 4 years ago. I have 4 boys. Edwin 20, Edgar 23, Juan 17 and Brandon 14. Edwin goes to Parkside he hopes to be a doctor. He works part time driving a school bus. Edgar works in a factory, he didn’t like school. My two younger boys go to Bradford HS. Brandon works part time at the Golden Corral. We live on 26th Street. We have a couple from Columbia living in our basement apartment. I am very happy.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Yolanda Sanchez
Learning Goal:
I want to use English with the doctor and at the grocery store.
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A Piece of Puerto Rico in My Kitchen
Every year, I wait for this special date. I like to see my family together around the table. My kitchen looks like a mosque of flowers, smells and laughter. Early in the morning, I put the turkey in the oven. The turkey is turning golden like the sun paints his skin. In another over a cheese flan is responsible for scenting our home. On the stove, a delicious rice with pigeon peas is cooking. From time to time, someone uncovers the pot to greet our special guests. In the fridge a tasty and colorful elbow salad is ready to be served. We felt like we were in Puerto Rico. Then we sit and thank God for the blessings.
Name:
Luz Santos
Learning Goal:
43
I need English to talk to the doctor and the police.
Country:
Puerto Rico
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
Happy Birthday
The thing that makes me the happiest is to see my children happy. For example, when their birthdays are coming, they get excited and happy. For their birthdays my children like me to cook spaghetti. Sometimes we buy a cake and sometimes my husband makes a cake called Tiramisu or a flourless chocolate cake. It makes me happy when he makes the cake. The other thing is when we sing the happy birthday song and they wait to blow the candles out and I say think of your wish. Finally they open their presents. I see my children so excited and that is amazing.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Esmeralda Ramirez
Learning Goal:
I want to get my G.E.D. and go to Gateway to study a for a career.
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Mother's Day Is Important
The mother’s day is a celebration in which the love, affection and efforts that our mothers make everyday in our lives are recognized. This celebration takes place on the second Sunday of May, one month of spring. In many homes, it is customary to celebrate this date by bringing music and gifts to our mother as a token of affection. In addition to organizing a coexistence with the whole family either at home or in some other place. Some people celebrate in the restaurant, a park, on the beach, and many other families with home made food. Mother’s day is a date that should be celebrated daily, because the love and affection that they give us is unconditional and infinite.
Name:
Alex Navarro
Learning Goal:
I want to communicate in English at my work. 45
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
Mother's Day
Mother’s Day, in my country, is the most important day for all people. On Mother’s Day, people celebrate with family. All the family is at their mother’s house. Sometimes the people make a party on the street. They put two cars at the entrance of the street and two cars at the end of the street. The street is colorful, there are flowers, tables with food, music, cake, and bounce houses for the kids. Everything is good and the people enjoy together. Now, the Mother’s Day is my favorite day because I’m a mom and I like to enjoy the time with my kids.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Gabriela Perez
Learning Goal:
I need English to talk with my children's teachers.
2021 Student Anthology
46
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Spring Break
My favorite thing to do on spring break is to plant flowers and water them and watch them grow. Roses are my favorite because the different colors. I like sunflowers too. They remind me of sunshine and the birds come to eat the seeds. In Mexico, people bring flowers from gardens when people die for the funeral. Flowers are beautiful.
Name:
Corazon Dominguez
Learning Goal:
47
2021 Student Anthology
I want to improve my reading to get a job.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
Why I Love the Spring
I love spring because I can do more things outside. I like to meet people in the park to make friends. The weather is nice and warm. I love the spring and summer because it’s hot like my home country. I can go to the beach. I love to swim. I like to walk by the beach front and meet with friends. I like to barbecue chicken, beef, and hot dogs. I will talk to people in only English. I like to play soccer and volleyball. I like to see the green grass and trees. The flowers are beautiful colors. I see people walking their dogs. I see bunnies and squirrels. I love the rain too, I even go outside in the rain. Spring is one of my favorite seasons.
Country:
Honduras
Meet The Author
Name:
Rupert Feurtado
Learning Goal:
I want to get my U.S. citizenship. 48
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20
Music Makes Me Happy
Music makes me happy, but sometimes it makes me sad, because I am homesick for my family in Oaxaca, Mexico. My favorite band is MS. They play guitar, violin and saxophone. I like romantic music, banda, cumbia, and pop. I like slow songs and happy songs. I like to sing in my house with my family. I like Karaoke. My favorite song is "Bello Angel de Noche". This is “beautiful Angel of the Night.” It is played by Brindys band.
Name: Bernardina Pedro Martinez Learning Goal:
I want to learn to speak English 49
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
My Son Changed
Last May, I went to San Diego. It was my son’s graduation. I was happy and proud. It was his dream to become a marine. I was happy because he changed after becoming a marine. Before becoming a marine, he used to drink too much alcohol. Then he went for treatment and decided to become a Marine. He became strong. Now, my son is studying engineering. He is living in California. He’s happy and I am happy for my son.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Aracely Sanchez
Learning Goal:
I want to speak in English with my doctor and be able to read new recipes.
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My Favorite Summertime Memory
On September 15, Guatemalans celebrate their Independence day. They celebrate being free from Spain. They come from many cities with lighted torches to central park. The runners are from all over the places the torch goes from village to village for 240 miles. They are marching with blue and white flags to the music. They decorate cars, trucks, and houses. Families get together. They make good food like pork or chicken tamales. They make kak'ik, which is a soup made with turkey. Some people go to the restaurants also. On September 14, in the night, the competition for the bands in central park. This is my favorite part of the celebration. At 6 O’clock a big flag is raised on the flag pole. Then 21 canons are shot off. This means we have been free since 1821. The flag shows that we are free from Spain. Many people go to the Independence celebration.
Name:
Angie Cruz
Learning Goal:
51
2021 Student Anthology
Speak English to people and with the doctor.
Country:
Guatemala
Meet The Author
20 th Ed iti
on
Money Recovered
Some years ago, maybe 15, I did a family travel to Tucson, AZ to buy electric domestics and accessories for our new home in Mexico. All that go are very excited because that was a travel wished to do for the new things for our home. Well, finally I finish with the money that I had except for $20.00 dollars in my pocket. While returning to Mexico, I told my wife, let me play this money in casino. When I got to the casino, I’m looking for a machine with sounds and lights that make me feel a possibility of winning money faster. I saw a triple sevens game and my senses told me that this is the correct machine. I put my money inside and push the button maybe five or six times with a bet of three dollars. I saw how the machine stop the first seven and the second and feel my heart excited and stop the third seven. I was so happy, I saw the people around me, because the machine do sounds different with a big win. They want to see how much money I won. I remember that I just think to take the money and go outside and say to my wife let’s go home. I recovered the money that I paid for the things for our home. She was very excited and told me I can’t believe it Adal, you really did it!
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
Name:
Adalberto Duarte
Learning Goal:
I have a new position in my work and I need it. 52
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Happiness Means to Me
What happiness means to me is when you feel the things going well. In another way when you enjoy and feel free. Everyone has a different way to make them happy. I have a small garden. Working the garden makes me happy especially when I plant seeds and water them. When the vegetables are growing well, I pick the vegetables and get healthy food for my family. That kind of thing makes me happy. Walking is another way of happiness for me. When I am going on a walk I see grass, trees, and bird’s voices and sunshine. That makes me happy. Happiness in the world all around is that I like to help other people. For example, if my family has to help for cooked food for many people, I help them. I enjoy helping someone who needs my help. I help them I enjoy, my heart feels free.
Name:
Shakeela Amin
Learning Goal:
53
2021 Student Anthology
I want to talk to my doctor and my children's teachers.
Country: Pakistan
Meet The Author
LOOKING BACK ON 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS
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My Path to the Land of Happiness
Since I was a child, I believed that happiness was a series of ephemeral moments that are similar to a shooting star. According to the world, you need to work very hard for many long hours to earn money and reach all your material goals. Finally, the moment of happiness comes, but what is next? I mean, it looks like after the shooting star, you are left with an empty space that you’re trying to fill up with whatever the world sets before you. Throughout my life, I saw many professional people being unhappy, many beautiful women being unhappy, many rich people being unhappy, and many people owning their own house, car, or other material things being unhappy. How such a simple word is so hard to make come true. If happiness wasn’t in the material things around us, where exactly can happiness be found? Two years ago, my aunt from Texas invited me to a retreat that her church was hosting, one of the speakers mentioned that when God created us, he left a hole, an empty space, in our hearts that only can be filled by Him. He left this hole with the intention of us coming back to Him. At that moment, my world was put upside down, because it was all about a career, money, or other tangible thing. So, at the same time everything started making sense. Someone gave me a different option to try, and I was willing to try it. Here I was, I started my journey and I discovered that finding God is the only true happiness. Once you find out about this truth, you are able to be happy, no matter the circumstances. You no longer feel alone, and ultimately it changes the way that you see everything around you.
Name:
Susana Jamaica
Learning Goal:
55
I want to continue my career as a lawyer in the United States.
Country: Mexico
Meet The Author
20 21 You come to the realization that the simple details are the one that makes the most difference and impact in others life, in YOURS, too! This is true because you get more when you give more. Serving is better than being served. Having work is the best way to keep busy and productive. Having a family and friends is like having the most beautiful shelter. Forgiving sets you free. Adversity does more than bringing problems to your life, it brings you the opportunity of surrender to God while you are at the same time learning from it. That is how you get stronger. This does not mean that your problems will end, in fact maybe you will have more. but what it does means is that you are no longer alone, God is now fighting with you, standing by your side. The way to see sickness, loss, or any other devastating thing, is to see it as an opportunity for spiritual growth. Happiness is found when you fight for the happiness of others. Empathizing is a tool that we should used while speaking with others. treating everyone with love, care, and respect. This is not an option, it is a duty, because living is not about us, is about Him. I am Susana, I am 37, according with the world I am another number. I am not rich, I don’t have anything special. However, since I filled that empty space in my heart with God, I truly can say that I am finally Happy. My happiness does not look like the shooting star, but rather like the sun, who is the source of light for the stars. I found the source of my love in the Creator of everything, my Creator is Christ who also created me. Christ taught us that finding the truth will set us free. Finding this truth indeed gives me freedom, gives me hope and gives me many reasons to smile, not just for a moment but for everlasting life.
Where Are They Now?
Susana Jamaica completed the paralegal program at Carthage and works at a law firm.
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20
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Believe in Your Dream
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Sara Rojas is now a teacher in the KUSD schools.
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
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Believe in Your Dream
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Where Are They Now?
Veronica works hard at her job while also helping her children succeed in school.
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Ruby Williams went back to school and is now a nurse.
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
20 07 Where Erwin Gonzalez became a citizen Are and now works for WE Energies They Now?
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Tin Win is now a citizen and has purchased his first home for his family.
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
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Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
Maria was able to improve her English to better communicate at work.
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Where Are They Now?
Luciano Ojeda is loving his job working at a restaurant.
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Jesus Villasenor is now a volunteer tutor at KLC.
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
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Where Are They Now?
Maya Burghol has gotten her G.E.D. and is raising her family.
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Mariana Hernandez is now a manager at a restaurant.
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
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Where Are They Now?
Anais Irizarry completed the barber program at Gateway. 68
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Marilyn Loor is currently enrolled at Gateway and works in the Multicultural Program.
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
In 2015 we celebrated 50 years of providing life-changing education programs.
16 20 Svetlana Saliyev is now a U.S. citizen and works at the post office. 71
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
20 17
Where Are They Now?
Linda Williams has recently achieved her G.E.D.
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Where Are They Now?
Elizabeth Santana is a small business owner as she raises her family. 74
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Viktoriia Stoieva has started her career in the medical field.
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
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Where Are They Now?
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Kayaking
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The Literacy Council had a trip to Kenosha Community Sailing Center for ELL Civics Class students and I was in that group and I was going to go, but I couldn’t because I had a bad headache. Some friends that I met here at Literacy Council, told me that was so fun, it was the first time they went and it was going to be the first time for me too. Then they invited me to go another day all together, so we decided to go in Aug, 1st, I invited my niece too. Then we went to kayaking. I was so nervous and afraid because I don’t know how to swim and I was also afraid that the kayak could flip over. Later I felt safer because I was wearing a life jacket and my niece know how to swim. It took a few minutes then I got how it works and then was a fun experience that I never imagined that I could have. I chose the Tandem Kayak (double one) with my niece. First it was difficult because we had to coordinate how rowing and how to use the paddles. It was a partly cloudy but a warm day. The water was calm but we did many turns in the beginning that I ended a little dizzy and wetter than I thought because the paddles dripping a lot of water and the water smells like fish. In conclusion, at Literacy Council not only do you study, but you also know new places in our community that I never thought are here in Kenosha and you also meet good friends like I did.
Maria Ramirez
Mexico
To talk with teachers, doctors and neighbors.
Maria Ramirez has started her first job and is on track to a manager position. 77
Where Meet The Are They Author Now?
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