STORIES OF A NATION [SHORTENED] (By Valerie Starks)

Since Americas inception over two centuries ago, people from far and wide have been drawn to the shores
of the Land of Opportunity. The hope of prosperity and a dream of a better life have coalesced into a rallying
cry which has reverberated off eardrums and resonated in the hearts of those who long for a brighter day.
Immigration has played a central role in both the development and diversification of the United States of
America. Stanton College Preparatory School, a microcosm of the modern world, stands as a testament to the
importance of this global phenomenon. Students who hail from a number of different cultural and ethnic
backgrounds contribute to the uniqueness of this institution.
To some, America is a second home which replaced another either long ago or within recent memory. From
the bustling streets of Guangzhou to the quaint villages of the French Alps, there are people at Stanton who set
foot in the United States as immigrants and established this nation as their own. To others, America is a place
that appealed to parents who left their own land behind decades ago. Stanton houses a number of students who
were the first members of their family to be born in the United States.
Regardless of whether an individual has deep roots in America or has recently broken earth on this new
ground, one thing is for sureour shared American culture binds people together to create the flag of a single
nation. Still, each fiber retains its singularity while contributing to something greater. Individual differences
make for fascinating stories of hope, triumph and the continuation of a dream that has yet to be fully realized.
Living in America
Transitioning from one home to another is challenging enough, but imagine having to adapt to a new
country and its culture. This life has been a reality for senior Cecca Xu. Six years ago, Xu left China and
decided to join her mother and stepfather in the United States in order to take advantage of the educational
opportunities. Upon arrival, she was met by obstacles such as a language barrier.
I went to Fletcher Middle School and they had the ESOL program there, said Xu. I didnt understand
anything when I came here, so that was really hard.
Since then, Xu has invested a great amount of time and effort in order to achieve her initial dream.
I had to spend extra time doing homework and everything, she said. I practiced talking, watching
American movies and listening to music to improve my English skills.
Over time, Xu has grown accustomed to life in America and made the culture her own. However, she
works to ensure that she doesnt lose touch with her Chinese roots.
My mom still cooks Chinese food every night. I also take Chinese and she wants me to continue so I
dont lose my foundation in the language, said Xu.
Xu also visits her friends and grandparents during an annual trip to China. Even as time passes, she admits
to having trouble leaving her loved ones behind.
I would be so happy when I leave here and then Ill be crying when I have to leave China because my
grandparents are there and a lot of my friends are there, she said.
A Clash of Cultures
Students who were born abroad arent the only people who grapple with the challenges of staking out a
truly bicultural identity. Children who were born to expatriates also seek to define themselves as representatives
of multiple nationalities. Whether one culture is favored over another is arbitrary, and degrees of success vary
when it comes to striking up a balance between traditions.
While speaking about the influence that Indian and American culture have had on his identity, junior
Pranam Patel mentioned a defining moment in his life that came when he underwent a religious conversion in
spite of custom. Born in India, Patel arrived in the United States as a toddler after his parents returned from
business ventures in Kenya and traveled with their young son.
Growing up, I was a Hindu and I used to go to temple on Saturdays and I was a vegetarian like my mom.
As I grew up, I realized that wasnt exactly the life I wanted, said Patel, who was introduced to Providence
Church through his cousin and attends whenever he visits. It just seemed right, and I just adapted.
Over the years, Patel has come to feel more of an attachment to American rather than Indian culture.

STORIES OF A NATION [SHORTENED] (By Valerie Starks)

In terms of Indian culture, Im not too tied in with it because Ive completely shifted and become
engulfed in American culture because I like it more, he said. Its more understanding about things where
Indian culture is more traditional.
Sophomore Srujana Vegesna, on the other hand, who was also born in India, has embraced the perceived
traditionalism.
My family, theyre a lot more conservative in a way. We still go to the temple a lot and were pretty
religious, but at the same time, my parents are pretty free with letting me do what I want, she said.
A great deal of syncretism occurs both in and outside of her household
I combine the cultures in the way I dress as well as the fact that a lot of my friends are from India. Even
at home, we speak a lot in my language, said Vegesna. Also, doing activities outside of school. I sing, but its
traditional Indian singing. At the same time, everything else is pretty Americanized.
Another person who has tried blending cultures is junior Christina Taragjini. Almost 17 years ago,
Taragjinis parents immigrated amidst turmoil brought on by governmental changes following the fall of the
Soviet Union.
To be honest, its still a path for me to figure out myself. I havent really been able to amalgamate the
two because my home seems to be more Albanian-centered whereas at school youre a lot more American, she
said. And I guess you have to find a balance between that.
Nonetheless, Taragjini recognizes the importance of not compromising aspects of her personality.
Ive been able to realize that Im not going to blend in with everybody. You also have to embrace who
you are, said Taragjini. For me, Ive been able to realize that I can be exactly who I am and Americas really
accepting of that, and thats a good thing.
Cultural Misconceptions
Although progress has occurred, several students noted that ignorance, especially as it relates to other
nationalities, still persists in the United States. Senior Amber Van Den Heuvel is no stranger to the effects of a
limited knowledge base on peoples perceptions of others. The daughter of white South Africans, Van Den
Heuvel and her family have had their share of criticism while laying claim to the country of South Africa as
their own. Misguided views about what it means to be South African permeate the minds of many due in large
part to the history of apartheid. From 1948 to 1991, blacks were oppressed and legally separated from whites in
a system of nationally endorsed racial segregation.
When my parents are speaking to other people and they hear that theyre South African, they are
automatically characterized as racists, which they totally arent in any way, said Van Den Heuvel. They often
have to skirt conversations in which people assume that theyre racists.
As far as she is concerned, ignorance can be combated with education. Learning about South African
culture can help lead to an increased level of understanding on the part of outsiders.
The stereotype now is that if youre a white South African, then you are racist, and if you are a black
South African, then you must be poor. Its really not true, said Van Den Heuvel. The country has done so
much in the past few decades that not a lot of people have recognized its growth. We need to recognize its
growth.
Van Den Heuvel is not the only student who has had to deal with misunderstandings. Laura Sainvil, a
junior who emigrated from Haiti fourteen years ago, has overcome preconceived notions about what it means to
be Haitian.
Growing up, being Haitian was always a problem with everybody, said Sainvil.
Unfortunately, a number of people have taken issue with her Haitian heritage.
Oh my gosh, shes a Haitian girl, said Sainvil, as she spoke about the negative responses she has
received because of her background. They had a slang term called mami. Im not a mami, she said.
Sainvil has been judged on numerous occasions because of incorrect assumptions about Haitians.
If I was to go to school or something and I was a new student at a school down south, it would be, Shes
Haitian, she does voodoo. They smell greasy (because apparently we fry everything we eat). They dress tackily,
theyre poor. You know, theres all these views that people just have automatically, she said.

STORIES OF A NATION [SHORTENED] (By Valerie Starks)

Although Sainvil faces challenges in terms of how she is viewed by others, she is proud of her
background. The value of family is one of the important lessons she has learned because of her Haitian
upbringing.
We value family much more than the average Americans do, said Sainvil. When you need somebody,
theyll be the only ones there for you. Your friends arent going to drop what theyre doing to help you.
Lessons from Abroad
The importance of loved ones is one of many lessons that students such as Sainvil have been exposed to.
In spite of the syncretism that occurs in America, there are several lessons derived from experience that are
unique to immigrants and their children. Sophomore Marielle Pecson, for one, has gained invaluable insight
after witnessing penury and prejudice. Her mother and stepfather came to the United States from the Philippines
during their twenties and teens, respectively.
I was able to see firsthand some of the prejudice and racism that people face, said Pecson. Even today
where everyones trying to say that everyones equal, were not, or at least we dont feel like it. I think that at an
early age, I was really able to understand what it had to take for me to be seen as equal to other people.
She is also familiar with the depths of destitution. During her most recent visit to the Philippines in 2012,
Pecson watched as people struggled to survive while she and her family traveled comfortably with police
accompaniment.
While were in this car being escorted somewhere, I look out the window and Im seeing these kids who
are bathing naked in the streets. Theres no adult supervision and theyre all alone and I think, I never see this
in America, this isnt something that happens. Theres lots of dirty places, but everyones just trying to make
the best of whats happening, said Pecson.
When Dreams Meet Reality
America may act as a window to opportunity for many immigrants, but there is oftentimes a real
dissimilitude between expectations and actuality. Alexandru Bordanca, a freshman whose parents arrived in the
United States after escaping the communist regime in Romania, stated that his parents views about America
changed over time.
Its pretty much like with most immigrants. It was nice at first and there was freedom, but then, once you
actually become a citizen or a long-term resident, you realize that its not as nice as you think it is, said
Bordanca.
A number of harsh realities challenged the idealism of the United States.
The government wasnt as straight as they thought it would be, he said. It was better than where they
came from, definitely, but it was corrupt and things werent being accomplished similar to what it was like in
Romania.
Still, as most students agreed, there is a lot to be thankful for. Junior Manuel Vilaro, who arrived in the
United States from Colombia as a young child, expressed such sentiments.
Being 6 years old at the moment, all I remembered was the trips to Disney World, so I would have to say
I was a little disappointed when Mickey Mouse wasn't at every corner, said Vilaro. However, now I couldn't
be happier to live here. I am able to enjoy amazing opportunities with wonderful people so I can't really ask for
much more.
Of course, America, just like any other country, has her share of imperfections. Even though the fabric of
the American dream is riddled with holes, people continue to journey to this land and turn their sacrifices into
something worthwhile. These settlers, these survivors, represent the faces of a nation.