Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 15, 2026 FIRST PLACE ESSAY: Sacrifi ces and Contribution of Immigrants By Shashi Pokhrel Everett High School I came to the United States from Nepal when I was fi ve years old. I did not understand what immigration meant, only that my world had changed overnight. I remember gripping my parents’ hands and feeling lost in a place where I could not understand a single word. English surrounded me, but none of it belonged to me yet. At school, I stayed quiet, afraid that speaking would expose how diff erent I was. That silence made me feel invisible, but it also shaped who I would become. Immigration deeply aff ect50 Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net ed my school experience, both in diffi cult and beautiful ways. At fi rst, language separated me from others. I struggled in class, felt embarrassed asking for help, and watched friendships form without me. But slowly, school became a place where immigration showed its strength. I made friends from diff erent backgrounds who were patient with me, who shared their lunches, who invited me into games without needing words. Other cultural events, group projects, and everyday interactions taught me that diversity did not weaken our school community. It made it richer and more connected. At home, my family worked hard to keep our Nepali traditions alive. We spoke Nepali, celebrated Dashain and Tihar, cooked traditional food, and passed down values of respect and resilience. Holding onto our culture gave us comfort when everything else felt unfamiliar. Sharing these traditions with neighbors, classmates, and teachers helped others learn and brought people closer together. Immigration allowed cultures to exist side by side, benefi ting the entire community by creating understanding instead of fear. Being multilingual and multicultural became a strength I did not recognize at first. Learning English while holding onto my native language taught me empathy and patience. I learned how to navigate different worlds, how to listen deeply, and how to help others feel understood. In my community, multilingual families translate for one another, support schools, and make spaces more inclusive. These skills are powerful and necessary, especially in diverse communities like ours. My family’s immigration story is one of sacrifi ce and contribution. My parents came here seeking opportunity, not just for themselves but for me. They worked long hours, worried constantly, and carried the weight of responsibility on their shoulders. I helped translate documents, listened to adult conversations, and grew up faster than most kids. Despite the struggle, my family gave back by working, supporting neighbors, and raising children who want to contribute positively to society. There is also a fear that many immigrant families live with especially with what has been happening much more in the past few years; immigration enforcement. They can disrupt livelihoods, tear families apart, and create anxiety that spills into schools and neighborhoods. When parents are afraid to go to work or children are afraid to come home, entire communities suff er. Being labeled or treated diff erently based on where you come from or what you look like is deeply unfair. Having papers should not determine who deserves dignity. Immigration is not just a policy. It is my childhood, my school, my family, and my identity. It brought struggle, but it also brought strength, culture, language, and connection. My story is one of many that shows that immigration does not harm communities, it builds them. So, as one big community, let’s put in extra love and show how immigrants are not “aliens” who don’t deserve any respect or dignity. YOUR LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS IN SIX LANGUAGES. SUBSCRIBE TO THE ADVOCATE ONLINE BY SCANNING HERE!
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