A tradução deste artigo se encontra no nosso site: mvtimes.com/category/portuguese—translation/.
This week I would like to invite everyone to watch Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Into the Heights” movie — a compelling story of the Latin immigrant community. The musical turned into a film depicts beautifully many aspects of the immigrant experience in the U.S. — the first generation to go to college, the daily sacrifices parents make so that their children can have access to education and different choices, the DACA kids experience, the dreams that become true. This column is also dedicated to Brazilian students who just graduated high school. Here are some of their experiences.
Vitor Lage
As every first-year student, I was pretty scared going into high school. I had the opportunity to join the Restorative Justice Office in my first year, giving me a chance to get to know the administration and teachers and give back to the Brazilian community. I helped out with the school newsletter and translated it, I got to make the audio announcements, and I was a Restorative Circle facilitator. All of that, I feel, prepared me for life after high school. One of my favorite high school memories is a field trip we took to the Brown Portuguese Department — we got stuck off-Island and made great memories through the whole process. I am going to UMASS Amherst to study biochemistry, and I am interested in pursuing either engineering or med school — I like both paths. As for things that I wish had gone better, I’d say that the high school guidance department needs to do better by the immigrant community in terms of helping these students navigate their way around what to do after high school and the college process. A lot of us were born here or are green card holders. Still, our parents either don’t speak English, didn’t go to college, and don’t know how to support us through the process — we also don’t stand a chance most of the time when it comes to applying to scholarships because we don’t know how to present ourselves in a way that makes us seem like viable candidates. Overall, I am very grateful for my education, the friends I made, and the experiences I got to have, and ready for the next chapter.
Larissa de Oliveira, MV Youth 2021 Recipient
I went into high school with a lot of excitement and fear, and when I think about my time at MVRHS, there was so much joy, and I hope to emulate all of that and put myself more out of my comfort zone as I am going into a big school — UMASS Amherst. I grew so much as a person, I matured a lot through high school, and I am glad because it made me better and showed me what kind of human being I want to be and what kind of citizen I will be.
Nicholas De Paula
I wish COVID didn’t happen because it impacted the last two years of my time at the high school. However, as an athlete, I enjoyed all that I got to do at the high school and made some really good friends because of the sports I played, and I got to have some fantastic experiences.
Hemilly Nascimento
I had a rough beginning at high school, trying to find the group I belonged in. I found myself in groups with people that only harmed me, but in the end, I realized who my friends were. Something I wish I would have done more was to be involved. Helping out around the school would always be fun, surprisingly. My favorite memory was probably going to Boston with the Grassroots Club. Being able to spend a night in Boston and help out with the homeless population. I enjoyed taking Portuguese classes and learning more about the culture of the country I’ve come from, as well as being able to have the opportunity to receive my bi-literacy seal. I am also thankful for the opportunities I had to go and visit colleges with the school.
