[CRIER Munster High School
[
Issue 5 Volume 53 Dec. 14, 2018
8808 Columbia Ave. Munster IN 46321
“You’re in America, speak English.” “You don’t belong here.”
“Go back to your country.”
Their America: The story of student immigrants story by
[Alyssa Bass and Zoe O’Shaughnessy] Copy Editor and Reporter
“Go back to your country.” “You don’t belong here.” “Build a wall.” For MHS students who immigrated here from other countries in hopes for a better life, words like these are upsetting. Diana Ayala, junior, who immigrated from Mexico, considers these words from people online who hide behind a screen harmful. “You obviously heard ‘Build the wall’ which is really offensive and hurtful,” Diana said. “In comment sections, you face things like ‘You’re an immigrant, you don’t belong here,’ and it really hurts because you become this member of society, in this country, and to be told that you don’t belong here kind of destroys your perception of yourself.” At 4-years-old, Bradley Jimenez, junior, came with his family from Puerto Rico so his father could
Name: Bradley Jimenez Grade: Junior Country of Origin: Puerto Rico Favorite thing about Puerto Rico: The food
find job opportunities. His grandmother was already living in Northwest Indiana, which made the move easier, but immigrating here still had its challenges. “Everyone just assumes every brown person is a Mexican and is like ‘Oh, I can’t understand you, go back to your country,’” Bradley said. Martin Barnard, junior, and his family arrived from South Africa in 2008 with a hopes of a better education. Although Martin didn’t have the same reasons that others have for immigrating from their own countries, he still thinks that immigrants are just trying to create a better life and have better opportunities. “These people are leaving to better themselves, obviously,” Martin said. “Their main goal is to escape whatever it is that they are stuck in.” Roberto Diaz, junior, who came from Mexico, is one of those immigrants. “The police in my town were actually controlled by
Name: Roberto Diaz Grade: Junior Country of Origin: Mexico Favorite thing about Mexico: The rural areas and the ranches
Name: Martin Barnard Grade: Junior Country of Origin: South Africa Favorite thing about South Africa: The sights and the natural element everything has
the cartel,” Roberto said. “They weren’t doing anything to protect the people in our town. The cartel could do whatever they want, so there was no more order in the town, so that is why we had to leave.” Now that Roberto escaped the violence, he has to face other challenges. He came to America without speaking any English and had to carry a dictionary around and gradually became fluent in English. “I didn’t know how to do my homework because I didn’t understand anything,” Roberto said. “I’m used to thinking in Spanish first and then saying it, so I have to think in Spanish and then translate it and then say it (in English).” Diana came to America after her mom left to give Diana better opportunities that Mexico couldn’t offer. She picked up on English pretty quickly in elementary school, and she was the only person who had learned English in her family. She had to overcome the obstacles of learning English in school
Name: Diana Ayala Grade: Junior Country of Origin: Mexico Favorite thing about Mexico: The sense of community everyone has
[read more on page 3]
Name: Hazem Ojel Grade: Junior Country of Origin: Syria Favorite thing about Syria: The beaches, resorts, and spending time with family
[photos by Robert Young]
[Inside look]
pg. 5
Crier Staffer reviews French fries
pg. 6 I’M LOVIN’ IT McDonald’s French fries are reviewed. [photo by Charlie Hofferth]
Students, faculty discuss difficulty of driving in winter
[Upcoming] Finals week begins next week, full finals schedule on pg. 2
Boys’ Basketball game tonight at home at 7 p.m.