Important Resolutions for 2025
by Tahar Touatt
ESL EI4F NRS 4 A.
Kosmas
resolution means a promise to yourself to do on to not do something.
First, one of the things I decided to do is to learn English and I hope to achieve this before the end of the year.
A second resolution I have is related to my health aspect - not eating sugar because it is the cause of diseases. Finally, I wish everyone achieves their dreams this year and reaches all goals.
FALL WEATHER
by Felipe Rodriguez
ESL EI4F NRS 4
A. Kosmas
fall weather is very interesting for me because the leaves on the trees change color and after that they fall to the ground announcing the arrival of winter. All trees look great without leaves and when the snow falls and everything looks white. I love it!
2025 - by Maria Aguilar
EI4F NRS 4 A. Kosmas
want to be a good person with other people this year. Also, I want to get a better job, take care of myself, and eat healthier - God willing!
MY SPECIAL PERSONAL HOLIDAY MEMORY
by Nguyen Van Reynoso
EI4F NRS 4
A. Kosmas
am from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is a place where we strengthen our bonds and unite as a community through the year-end celebration. On that day, we have a Christmas dinner and exchange gifts. Memories of these celebrations will stay with me forever!
A SPECIAL TRADITION IN MY COUNTRY
by Marco Santana ESL EI4F NRS 4
A. Kosmas
Ecuador, at the end of the year, we make cardboard and cloth dolls with the aim of burning them at midnight on December 31st. The belief is that everything bad is burned there in the hope that the new year will be better
is called the burning of the old, which is complemented by the widows who are nothing more than men disguised as widows. They cry for the old men and ask for money for the farewell!
WINTER ACTIVITIES
by Betzy Cazavez
ESL EI4F NRS 4 A. Kosmas
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
1. skiing or snowboarding
2. Ice skating
3. winter hiking
4. building snowmen
INDOOR ACTIVITIES
1. Watch a movie on TV
2. Cook or bake
3. Play boardgames or do puzzles
ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILY OR FRIENDS
1. Visit a trampoline park or adventure
2. Game night
3. Volunteering
During the holidays, many organizations need help.
CHICAGO—by Cesar
Ocampo
ESL NRS 4 F. Salas
here from another country is an amazing experience, in this wonderful city we have many good places to visit.
I really love Chicago. This year I visited different places and festivals. I like the way the people enjoy each season. First, in spring there the weather is warmer and the flowers starts to grow up, then in summer when the people go to the beach and enjoy the beautiful Michigan lake, also in autumn when the leaves are falling and celebrate Halloween and Día de Muertos decorating season. Finally, in winter, when the snow falls, the children can make a snowman and people wears warms clothes. I hope in the future I can continue to visit more places, not only in Chicago but also, more cities in this wonderful country.
DAY OF THE DEAD at Wright College
By Marlenne Villegas
ESL NRS 4 – F. Salas
want to share my experience during The Day of the Dead in Wright College. First of all, I find very interesting that in a country other than mine, the teachings of the Mexican culture are maintained. I find it very nice and interesting to share with international classmates from this college this day where we venerate the people who are most important. It is nice to show the colorfulness of the culture through altars and to explain to other people the connection between the living and the world of the dead.
DAY OF THE DEAD
By Sofia Alvarez ESL NRS 4 F. Salas
me the day of the dead has always been interesting. My curiosity started since I saw the movie “Coco”. And from that moment, I respect that Mexican tradition a lot, taking into account that my native country is Venezuela, and we don’t have that holiday there. I love to see how they prepare altars, food, photos and the family gathers to remember relatives in the most beautiful way. It is a very beautiful party that should be worldwide. As a Venezuelan I admire that and it is nice to know other traditions.
HOLIDAYS
by Sandy Rivas—ESL NRS 3—Kim Castronovo
name is Sandra. I am from Mexico. I am grateful for the happy moments and memories. I like the candies and costumes on Halloween. I want people to know that The Day of the Dead honors deceased loved ones. We recognize the cycle of life and death. Pumpkin pie, tamales, and pozole are very popular foods right now. The colors of the trees are beautiful. The big Halloween celebrations are impressive.
MY EXPERIENCE AT THE HISPANIC HERITAGE CONFERENCE
by Brayan Eduardo Juarez Lopez
ESL NRS 4 F.
Salas
want to share my experience in the Hispanic heritage conference was very good because I was able to learn many new things about the United States economy and listen to nice presentations from the professors who told us their stories and being able to see so many people interested in the economy and opening their own businesses. It was also very good to be able to interact with many people from different countries. In the end we had a lunch where we all socialized.
My Story
By Barbara Wisniowska
ESL
4—F.
I am a student
ESL in Wright College. I came to the United States from Poland 20 years ago with my husband and two children. We live in a small house in Chicago. I am retired and I work as a volunteer. I like to help people. We play together and enjoy spending time. I like cooking traditional Polish dishes for my family and friends. I am grateful for the opportunity I have here and I am excited to keep learning and growing.
NRS
Salas name is Barbara Wisniowska.
DAY OF THE DEAD
By Sofia Alvarez – ESL NRS 4 - F. Salas
me the day of the dead has always been interesting. My curiosity started since I saw the movie “Coco”. And from that moment, I respect that Mexican tradition a lot, taking into account that my native country is Venezuela, and we don’t have that holiday there. I love to see how they prepare altars, food, photos and the family gathers to remember relatives in the most beautiful way. It is a very beautiful party that should be worldwide. As a Venezuelan I admire that and it is nice to know other traditions.
HOLIDAYS
by Sandy Rivas
ESL NRS 3 – Kim Castronovo
name is Sandra. I am from Mexico. I am grateful for the happy moments and memories. I like the candies and costumes on Halloween. I want people to know that The Day of the Dead honors deceased loved ones. We recognize the cycle of life and death. Pumpkin pie, tamales, and pozole are very popular foods right now. The colors of the trees are beautiful. The big Halloween celebrations are impressive.
FALL CUSTOMS
by Isis Bautista – ESL NRS
3
– K. Castronovo
My name is Isis Bautista and I'm from Mexico. The fall customs in United States of America are really different than in my country. n Mexico, the people commemorate dead people. They make an “altar” because they think the people who have died return for a moment. Therefore, the people put some food, candies and beverages on the altar. It’s normal for them to dress up as a skull and walk all together for the streets at night.
In U.S.A. the children dress up as different types of monsters or famous characters like fairy tales and then, they walk around the neighborhood asking for candies. Some adult people organize parties and even get married on Halloween.
AUTUMN by Rafael Pineda – ESL NRS 3 – K. Castronovo
name is Rafael Pineda. I am from Honduras C.A I like autumn because leaves change colors. It is Halloween time, People celebrate the Day of the Spirits of the dead people. We make special food for the time. All the countries have different food, candies, and organize parties.
HALLOWEEN—ESL NRS 3—K. Castronovo
My name is Olha. I am from Ukraine. want to tell you a story about Halloween. This holiday will be very close. My kids are waiting for Halloween. I bought costumes for them. My son will be Grim Reaper and my daughter will be a shark.
On Thursday I will pick up my kids from school and we will go to the chocolate factory to grab candy. Last year there was a very long line. We waited about 2 hours. But the kids were very happy when they filled the buckets with candy.
After the chocolate factory they will go to collect candy around our neighborhood. I think it is a fun holiday for kids because we don’t celebrate Halloween in Ukraine.
Hello, I am Mariela from Guatemala City. ESL NRS 3—K. Castronovo
The traditional food from Guatemala on the Day of the Dead All Saints Day on November 1 is Fiambre. In my house, it is a tradition that every year my mom prepares Fiambre to sell and to eat in my house with our family. She prepares the pickled vegetables days before so they can ferment and have a better flavor. It is like a cold salad. The Guatemalans have two colors of fiambre, white and red. It has approximately 50 ingredients.
The ingredients to be classified into four groups:
* Pickled vegetables
The preparation for pickled vegetables is vinegar, salt, pepper, herbs like thyme, garlic and other secrets that Guatemalans have. (cauliflower, celery, red peppers, green peppers, peas, green beans, pacayas, small cabbage, Ejotes, carrots, guisquiles, chickpea, palm heart, olives, capers, asparagus, elotitos, parsley and radish).
* Cheeses
You can use for decoration or seasoning. The types of cheese are ( white american cheese , fresh cheese, dry cheese, american cheese).
* Meats and Sausages require that they be chopped into thin slices and in large portions. (chicken, pork loin, beef, salty tongue, salami, chorizo negro, chorizo colorado, butifarra, longanizas, mortadella, ham, small shrimp, sardine, tuna, hard boiled egg).
The secret ingredient: Caldillo
This is a mixture of ingredients that were boiled and prepared as broths. It is usually added to meats and vegetables both to give it a unique flavor and also to allow it to be preserved for longer.
* Chicken soup
* Vegetable Broth
* Vinegar
* Water
* Salt
* Garlic
These are some photos of how my mom makes Fiambre in my house in Guatemala.
Put the caption for your photo here.
THE DAY OF THE DEAD
by Sonia Flores ESL NRS 3 – K. Castronovo
I am from Guatemala. I would like to write about “El Día de los Muertos” (The day of the dead). I never thought about going to the cemetery to visit my mom of November 2. She died on July 29, 2024. My mom was 69 years old.
Our plan for November 2 with the whole family was to go to the cemetery stay there for two hours or more. Also, we were thinking about buying coffee, sweet bread and tamales to eat there while we talked to each other. Then we were going to buy my mom’s favorite roses to put on her grave and we would burn incense sticks on her grave too. But not any more because my little brother is in the hospital. The only thing we are going to do tomorrow to go to the church to hear the mass for “El día de los Muertos”. Then after we are going with my father to the cemetery to visit my mom and bring roses for her.
TODOS SANTOS
by Claudia Luna – ESL NRS 3 – K. Castronovo
name is Claudia, I am from Bolivia and I arrived in Chicago this June with my family. This year will be our first Halloween. My children are happy because they can dress up and experience trick-or-treating. We really like how the houses are decorated; some are very scary and others are adorable. This holiday is very different from the one celebrated in my country. There, we call it "Todos Santos" and it is very traditional. The custom says that at 12 noon on November 1st, the souls descend from heaven and visit their families, who set up an altar with the photos of the souls and decorate it with flowers and baked goods. Each element of this altar has a meaning: for example, the Tantawawas represent the deceased, and the ladder is where the soul descends. They also cook the favorite food of the soul. On November 2nd, the souls say goodbye to return to heaven. During those days, families gather, go to the cemetery, and pray for the souls. They also exchange the baked goods and food that have been prepared.
Another Bolivian custom that draws attention is the "Fiesta de las Ñatitas," which is celebrated on November 8th. People pray to a human skull, which they decorate with flower crowns and place cigarettes, coca leaves, and bottles of alcohol on it. This human skull can be from a family member or someone else, and they ask it for health and protection. This tradition takes place in the Bolivian highlands.
FALL CUSTOMS
by Isis Bautista – ESL NRS 3 – K. Castronovo
My name is Isis Bautista and I'm from Mexico.
The fall customs in United States of America are really different than in my country.
In Mexico, the people commemorate dead people. They make an “altar” because they think the people who have died return for a moment. Therefore, the people put some food, candies and beverages on the altar. It’s normal for them to dress up as a skull and walk all together for the streets at night.
In U.S.A. the children dress up as different types of monsters or famous characters like fairy tales and then, they walk around the neighborhood asking for candies. Some adult people organize parties and even get married on Halloween.
DIADE MUERTES
byAshley Celso Suarez K.Castronovo
Hola, mi nombre esAshley, soy de México, en México celebramos el Día de Muertos desde el 31. Niños y adultos pueden ir a pedir dulces el 1 hasta el amanecer del 2 de noviembre. Velamos a los muertos en el cementerio, mucha gente va a estar con su familia. . En el altar ponemos muchas cosas comida por ejemplo, pozole mole tamales tacos gorditas quesadillas birria barbacoa hamburguesas enchiladas chilaquiles carnitas todo lo que podamos. También frutas por ejemplo bastones, higos, calabazas, kiwis, manzanas, otras que no recuerdo el nombre. Bebidas alcohol diferencias bebidas y refrescos. Dulces muchos dulces paletas tamarindos chocolates. Adornos de papel para decorar. Ya que todo eso está listo, ponemos un camino de hojas de cempasúchil desde el altar hasta afuera de la calle.
To our Editor of Wright Here - Write Now, Angela Kosmas
It is with mixed emotions as we bid farewell to someone who has been more than just a teacher; you’ve been a mentor, a motivator, and a beacon of hope for so many adult learners. Your dedication to empowering students with the tools of knowledge, confidence, and resilience has transformed countless lives. Your passion and commitment have reminded us all of the importance of lifelong learning and the profound difference one teacher can make. You’ve not only taught lessons but also instilled courage in each student, showing them that it’s never too late to chase dreams and unlock potential.
As you embark on this new chapter, know that your impact will live on in every classroom, every student, and every mind you've inspired. We are grateful for your years of service, your unwavering belief in every learner, and the legacy of compassion and encouragement you leave behind. May your retirement be filled with joy, adventure, and well-deserved rest. You will be deeply missed, but your contributions will be cherished forever. With gratitude and best wishes,.
Senior Dean Steele
