THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 16, 2025 Page 15 STORIES & ART FROM THE HEART: Malden, Everett teens create inspiring perspectives on cultural impact of immigrants Over 90 students participated in immigrant Learning Center (iLC) annual media contest with essays, artwork, videos By Steve Freker is mom did not wait to see what happened, she made it happen, going doorto-door in their predominantly Latino neighborhood in Miami to offer goodwill and an invitation to share a beloved Asian holiday. In so doing, she instilled in her son, Alex, a Malden High School junior, a life lesson in the values of preserving his family’s culture of origin and sharing what is dear to them with others. Estandelle, a Malden High senior, cherishes “soup joumou” and her Haitian heritage, but just as strongly, along with her family, now embraces and incorporates American red-letter days, such as July 4 and Thanksgiving Day, into their annual calendars. Katerin’s parents were both just 17 when she came into this world in El Salvador. They came to the U.S. to leave behind poverty and an inadequate educational system with dreams of better lives for their young family. She is now an Everett High senior looking to move on to college this fall. Those are just some of the H over 70 local and area students who submitted essays, artworks or videos addressing this year’s theme about the cultural impact of immigrants on American society, competing in the annual Teen Perspectives on Immigration contest hosted by The Immigrant Learning Center (The ILC). Students from high schools in Everett, Malden and Medford all submitted entries, which came in several categories. Student finalists from first place through honorable mention were awarded cash prizes from $50 to $300 during the awards ceremony at Malden High School recently. The students who submitted entries, their family members and teachers and officials from all three school districts were in attendance, including The ILC Executive Director Vincent Rivers introduced staff on hand to honor the contest winners. Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, Malden Superintendent Dr. Timothy Sippel and Malden High Principal Chris Mastrangelo. Mayor Gary Christenson greeted the audience at the event – held in The Gallery at Malden High School. He spoke exclusively in the Mandarin dialect of the Chinese language for his greeting, then spoke of the cultural impact Malden’s immigrant communities have had on him through the years as a Malden resident. “Students graduate and they leave the local high schools, and they come back several years later and they tell me that they believe by living [in Malden[; it’s just given them such a distinct advantage out in the big world,” Mayor Christenson said. “For a lot of students, they’re experiencing what we have for the very first time. Malden’s diversity provides such an advantage, and I think it will for you and for our community.” Alex Tse, member of the Class of 2026 from Malden High School, read aloud his First Place-winning essay, “The Red Banner That Hung High,” about his experience as a Everett High School Third Place Artwork and Essay Honorable Mentions included, from left to right, in front, Natalia, Rommel and Shashi. Everett High School administrators on hand for the ceremony and presentations included, from left to right, in back, English Department Chair Ryan McGowan, Vice Principal Jim Murphy and English Learner (EL) Director Genevieve McDonough. (Advocate Photos) new immigrant to the United States, first living in Miami, Florida, when he arrived from Hong Kong. He wrote of his mother’s successful attempt to share his native country’s celebration of the Lunar New Year, sharing his family’s cultural traditions and learning about others. “This openness to cultural exchange is what makes [the United States] unique. It is why you can find sushi restaurants next to taco stands, hear different languages spoken on a single street, and see people from all backgrounds celebrating holidays that are not their own.” Tse wrote, “I remember how, through something as simple as a holiday, I found my place in a new area, not by abandoning my roots, but by planting them in new soil and watching Students and guests applauded when the winners were announced. (Advocate Photos) them grow alongside others.” The full text of the essay and a video of Tse’s reading are available on The ILC’s website: www.ilctr.org Malden High School artist Jason Juan, a sophomore, told the audience it was liberating to be able to express his emotions through his art. “My art is, personally, I feel like it’s more about how you feel about it. CULTURAL IMPACT | SEE PAGE 20
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