-
page page page pagen RACE Birthdaysn Becoming A U.S. Citizenn
Save The Daten Dates To Remember
n Majestic Realty Foundation Make a Generous Contribution to
RACE
n A Grand Surprise n Condolences n Congratulationsn Fullerton’s
Lady Lions Places
2nd in California State Rugby Championship
n Nepal Earthquake Relief
n Welcome New RACE STAFF n CULTURAL AWARENESSn It Was a Great
Summer for the
Bridgewater Clan!
n Learning by Doing
1 2 3 4
LEARNING BY DOINGBY: JANET DUKER
The summer of 2015 provided more adventures for the Dukers. My
husband and I set out the day after graduation for the wilds of
Canada. Well, ok, it was actually Vancouver. I happily anticipated
seeing beautiful scenery, and, as usual, we learned a great deal
from our experiences.
Early in our trip, we visited Old Town Sacramento and its famous
train museum. There are model trains in every scale, as well as
actual engines and cars that have been retired. They even have a
mail car, which shows how mail was once picked up, sorted, and
delivered. For train aficionados, the museum is a must-see.
In Portland, OR, I learned that there really is worse traffic
than L.A.’s! Seattle has the famous Pike Place Market, home of Pike
Place Seafood of “FISH” fame. The day we visited, there were no
fish flying because there were no paying customers. One of the
workers said, “No buy, no fly,” as most of us were there solely for
the entertainment. Finally, someone placed an order and a large
fish flew across the market. Mission accomplished.
Seattle also hosts the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. Dale
Chihuly is a well-known glass artist and his beautiful sculptures
are a spectacular sight. If you are a glass lover like me, you
would really appreciate them. Check him out on Google.
After several days of travel, we finally arrived in Vancouver.
Vancouver is a beautiful city and is home to Stanley Park, a huge
multi-acreage park overlooking the harbor. It contains numerous
trails, bike lanes, a beach area, and a section of Indian totem
poles, to name just a few of its features. We learned it was named
for Lord Stanley (as in Stanley Cup, for you hockey fans), a former
governor of Vancouver. In Victoria, on Vancouver Island, we visited
The Butchart Gardens, where we learned about the multitude of
plants and birds that make their home there.
Heading south, we stopped in Port Angeles, WA. Here I learned
that even when you book a whale watching trip that far north, there
is still no guarantee that any whales will actually be seen! In
fairness, we did see one humpback whale… in 4 ½ hours. Further
south, we spent time at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic
Monument, which was quite interesting. We learned that prior to the
eruption in 1980, the area had been experiencing earthquakes for
two months.
At the Oregon-California border, we headed to the coast. We made
stops in Trinidad, near Patrick’s Point State Park, where we took
long walks through the forest, and later, near Fort Bragg in
Mendocino. I had planned out this trip and thought it would be nice
to drive south on Hwy 1. Let’s just say it had been a very long
time since we last done that and my memory was a bit faded. So we
drove from Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay on Hwy 1. Hwy 1 has some of the
most beautiful scenery in the world, but it can be hard to
appreciate it when you are white-knuckling the steering wheel as
you prepare for the nest almost-blind curve. This is particularly
true if you happen to be driving a motor home and towing a car,
totaling about 50 feet in length. Throw in very narrow roads and
the occasional bicyclist, and you understand new meaning to the
word “breathtaking.”
We spent the last few days of our trip in Paso Robles. This
included the 4th of July, which we spent in Cambria, one of my
favorite places in the world. It was a great way to wrap up our
trip.
One of the side benefits of traveling is the education that
comes with it. Without actually trying, we learned so much while
away. From the different types of topography, to information about
wildlife, to the far-reaching effects of California’s drought, it
was quite an education and a blessing. On to the next!
Employment OpportunityDo you have a special talent, unique skill
or idea for a fee-based class you would like to teach? If you do,
we’re looking for you! Give us a call at (626) 965-5975.
HAVE YOU “LIKED” OUR RACE PAGE YET????
Communication Connecting Rowland Adult Community Education Staff
Members
Mission: To inspire students to reach their goals and
realizetheir potential through various educational programs.
Vision: To identify and address the challenges of a
culturallydiverse and ever changing population; striving to fulfill
theneeds of our students by providing a curriculum empoweringthem
to be informed, productive and successful citizens ofthe 21st
century.
Effective Communicators • Responsible Citizens • Problem Solvers
• Culturally Aware • Life-long Learners
DECEMBER 01 Pete Doherty 02 Nancy Gardner
06 Ami Takanashi
OCTOBER 08 Norma Parra
11 Ivette Rodriguez 15 Mark Ramirez 20 Janna Socash 28 Rocky
Bettar 28 Lissette Calderon
NOVEMBER 08 Linda Odegaard
11 Jessica M. Marin 15 Colleen Bridgewater
SAVE THE DATE!
BECOMING A U.S. CITIZEN
Leadership Meetings .................... Sept. 3, 2015,
...........................Oct. 22, 2015 and Nov. 19, 2015Daylight
Savings Time Ends ......... Nov. 1, 2015
Computer GED Testing (Thursdays) September 3, 10, 17, and 24,
2015October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2015November 5, 12, and 19,
2015
CAHSEEOctober 6 -7, 2015November 3 - 4, 2015
NO CLASSESBuckboard Day Parade .................Oct. 17,
2015Veteran’s Day ..................................Nov.11,
2015Thanksgiving ........................... Nov. 25-27, 2015
dates to remember
Our next Christmas Party will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday,
December 4, 2015. The cost is around $25 per person. There will be
the annual gift exchange. The gift cost should be no more than $10
and it can be funny, creative or serious. Plan to join us for an
evening of delicious dinner and fun. Please RSVP to Colleen
Bridgewater.
On July 22, 2015, I finally became a U.S. citizen! The oath
taking ceremony was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It
was a bittersweet moment to be alongside thousands of other
candidates, waving our small American flags with pride for it
wasn’t easy to get to where we are now. I was born and raised in
the Philippines. My grandfather from my dad’s side was part of the
Filipino guerrilla and fought on behalf of American forces during
World War II. For his service, he was granted U.S. citizenship and
was able to petition his kids to gain permanent residency in
America, including my dad, of course. In 2002, when I was 6 years
old, my dad came to America and worked hard to bring our family to
the country. After being apart and the sacrifices our family faced
for three years, everything finally worked out and my dad was able
to bring my mom, sisters and I here in 2005. We became U.S.
permanent residents, but most importantly, the family was together
again. And the rest is history.
My family is truly grateful to be in this country. As a citizen,
I am entitled to the same rights, freedom, and opportunities as all
other Americans. I am given opportunities that I wouldn’t ever
imagine of having such as studying at a great University and having
a job. This year has truly been a good and memorable year for my
family as each one of us became American citizens.
To those pursuing on becoming an American citizen, never give
up! It may be a hard process, but it’s all well worth it at the
end.
Mary Esguerra, Student Assistant
-
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR FEE BASED CLASSES PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEB SITE AT:RACE.ROWLAND.K12.CA.US
CONDOLENCES
CONGRATULATIONS
A GRAND SURPRISEBY: NANCY GARDNER
Our trip to Okinawa in January of 2015 was the trip of a
lifetime. We experienced so many new things, that it is hard to
pick a favorite, and it was an adventure I will never forget.One of
the best things about that trip was the surprise my husband and I
got when our son Richard walked through the door one night. We had
been told that he would be stateside while we were there, so we
were completely flabbergasted when we saw him. I thought that
nothing could ever surprise me more.
Richard’s brother, John, was also stationed in Okinawa. We
didn’t know when either he or Richard would be transferred, so when
we left Okinawa, I didn’t expect to see either of them until the
fall of 2016.
One summer night, my husband announced that he was going to help
our eldest son, Andrew, carry something large into his apartment. I
thought nothing of it and continued watching my movie. Later, I
heard the garage open and looked out to see John getting out of the
car! He was the “something heavy” my husband and Andrew had to get
from the airport. Everyone in the family knew except for me.
Not only did John come home, but he is home permanently from
Okinawa and, after a month-long vacation, he is now stationed
close-by in Camp Pendleton. I have now had two surprises of a
lifetime in less than a year!
Our condolences go out to Cindy Clark and her family. Her niece
Tiffany Claxton passed away on May 20, 2015. She fought a long
battle with breast cancer with grace and determination.
It is with sadness that RACE lost a former employee, Dalmiro
Navarro who passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015. Dalmiro worked
for the Recreation Department. We offer our deepest condolences to
his family. “Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in
Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines
down upon us to let us know they are happy”.
Joe and Corinne Miraglia celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary this past July. Approximately 80 people helped
celebrate their joyous event. They had a mass at St. John Vianney
Catholic Church, followed by a reception at the Hacienda Golf Club
in La Habra Heights.
CONGRATULATIONS JOE AND CORINNE!
FULLERTON’S LADY LIONS PLACES 2ND IN CALIFORNIA STATE RUGBY
CHAMPIONSHIP
BY: SAUNDRA ARCHULETA
This past July I saw the all girl’s high school rugby team, “The
Lady Lions,” come in 2nd place in the rugby championship that took
place in San Marcos, San Diego County. Fallbrook placed 1st. My
grand-daughter, Trinity, is a “Lady Lion.”
Rugby is similar to football without the pads and helmet and has
15 players on a team. It is played on a football field with
tackling and running the ball for a “try” (touchdown). Unlike
football, the ball is continuous play until a team scores a “try.”
There is no setting up with offense and defense, but more like a
rumble after the ball is kicked into play. A match is played for 20
minutes. There are usually 2 or 3 matches played at an event and a
“7’s” match where only 7 players play. Trinity plays on the “7’s”
team and substitutes on the “15” team.
Rugby will be an Olympic event in the San Palo, Brazil
Olympics.
CULTURAL AWARENESSBY: MARK RAMIREZ, ESL TEACHER
In September we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of the
month. Many of us look forward to this day because it represents a
break from work. Many people work hard all year and don’t get much
time away from work. The other problem we have been having is that
there aren’t enough jobs. Many people are “out of work” which means
that they will continue looking for work.
It is important to maintain a positive attitude whether or not
you are working. With a positive attitude, a person attracts other
positive attitudes. In many cases, a person can get a job because
of someone that they know, such as a relative. In other cases, the
person can’t find a job no matter what they do. Life is more than
work, however. A positive attitude will benefit a person in life,
no matter what kind of work he or she has, and whether or not he or
she is working. What should a person do to obtain or develop a
positive attitude?
Finding the right people to associate with is important. For
that reason people benefit from religious groups that they
associate with. There are many ways to find friends: finding
friends can come from sports activities, religious activities, work
activities, cultural activities (such as acting in a play), or play
activities (such as a bridge group). It is not simply a matter of
luck. The “mind,” where the attitude is, is the best asset for a
positive mental attitude.
WELCOME NEW RACE STAFF MEMBER Please welcome a new staff member
to the RACE Family.
Joseph King was hired as RACE’s new custodian. Joseph was
working at Rowland USD and Hacienda/La Puente USD districts as a
substitute custodian for about one year. Joseph is really excited
to be here at the Adult School. He says, “everyone is very nice and
professional”. He is looking forward to working here for the years
to come. His personal highlight of the year is getting a full-time
job.
WELCOME JOSEPH!
IT WAS A GREAT SUMMER FOR THE BRIDGEWATER CLAN!
BY: COLLEEN BRIDGEWATER
HE DID IT!!! Rouric graduated from Grand Canyon University with
a degree in Criminal Justice!!! He is staying in Arizona with his
girlfriend of 3 ½ years and is now working towards becoming a
Firefighter. We are so proud of that kid!
On August 11th Steve and I celebrated our 25th Wedding
Anniversary wine tasting in Cambria and Solvang. Spent a little too
much money on wine. Oh well, you only live once!
Finally, Becca left for London the end of August to do a study
abroad and is loving it! She will return December 19th in time for
the holidays!
NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEFCindy Clark and her ESL classes raised
$183.00 for the Nepal Earthquake Relief fund this past June. The
funds raised will help the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross to
provide comfort and hope to so many during their times of need.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this important
cause.
MAJESTIC REALTY FOUNDATION MAKE A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO
RACE
Pete Doherty, ESL/Citizenship Teacher applied for a grant with
Majestic Realty Foundation in the City of Industry and a $5,000
grant was awarded. Students in the surrounding area benefited this
past summer with the class fee being waived. Most students are low
income families, most are parents of the Rowland Unified School
District.
CONGRATULATIONS PETE!
WITHOUT AMBITION ONE STARTS NOTHING. WITHOUT WORK ONE FINISHES
NOTHING. THE PRIZE WILL NOT BE SENT TO YOU. YOU HAVE TO WIN IT.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON”
”
-
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR FEE BASED CLASSES PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEB SITE AT:RACE.ROWLAND.K12.CA.US
CONDOLENCES
CONGRATULATIONS
A GRAND SURPRISEBY: NANCY GARDNER
Our trip to Okinawa in January of 2015 was the trip of a
lifetime. We experienced so many new things, that it is hard to
pick a favorite, and it was an adventure I will never forget.One of
the best things about that trip was the surprise my husband and I
got when our son Richard walked through the door one night. We had
been told that he would be stateside while we were there, so we
were completely flabbergasted when we saw him. I thought that
nothing could ever surprise me more.
Richard’s brother, John, was also stationed in Okinawa. We
didn’t know when either he or Richard would be transferred, so when
we left Okinawa, I didn’t expect to see either of them until the
fall of 2016.
One summer night, my husband announced that he was going to help
our eldest son, Andrew, carry something large into his apartment. I
thought nothing of it and continued watching my movie. Later, I
heard the garage open and looked out to see John getting out of the
car! He was the “something heavy” my husband and Andrew had to get
from the airport. Everyone in the family knew except for me.
Not only did John come home, but he is home permanently from
Okinawa and, after a month-long vacation, he is now stationed
close-by in Camp Pendleton. I have now had two surprises of a
lifetime in less than a year!
Our condolences go out to Cindy Clark and her family. Her niece
Tiffany Claxton passed away on May 20, 2015. She fought a long
battle with breast cancer with grace and determination.
It is with sadness that RACE lost a former employee, Dalmiro
Navarro who passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015. Dalmiro worked
for the Recreation Department. We offer our deepest condolences to
his family. “Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in
Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines
down upon us to let us know they are happy”.
Joe and Corinne Miraglia celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary this past July. Approximately 80 people helped
celebrate their joyous event. They had a mass at St. John Vianney
Catholic Church, followed by a reception at the Hacienda Golf Club
in La Habra Heights.
CONGRATULATIONS JOE AND CORINNE!
FULLERTON’S LADY LIONS PLACES 2ND IN CALIFORNIA STATE RUGBY
CHAMPIONSHIP
BY: SAUNDRA ARCHULETA
This past July I saw the all girl’s high school rugby team, “The
Lady Lions,” come in 2nd place in the rugby championship that took
place in San Marcos, San Diego County. Fallbrook placed 1st. My
grand-daughter, Trinity, is a “Lady Lion.”
Rugby is similar to football without the pads and helmet and has
15 players on a team. It is played on a football field with
tackling and running the ball for a “try” (touchdown). Unlike
football, the ball is continuous play until a team scores a “try.”
There is no setting up with offense and defense, but more like a
rumble after the ball is kicked into play. A match is played for 20
minutes. There are usually 2 or 3 matches played at an event and a
“7’s” match where only 7 players play. Trinity plays on the “7’s”
team and substitutes on the “15” team.
Rugby will be an Olympic event in the San Palo, Brazil
Olympics.
CULTURAL AWARENESSBY: MARK RAMIREZ, ESL TEACHER
In September we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of the
month. Many of us look forward to this day because it represents a
break from work. Many people work hard all year and don’t get much
time away from work. The other problem we have been having is that
there aren’t enough jobs. Many people are “out of work” which means
that they will continue looking for work.
It is important to maintain a positive attitude whether or not
you are working. With a positive attitude, a person attracts other
positive attitudes. In many cases, a person can get a job because
of someone that they know, such as a relative. In other cases, the
person can’t find a job no matter what they do. Life is more than
work, however. A positive attitude will benefit a person in life,
no matter what kind of work he or she has, and whether or not he or
she is working. What should a person do to obtain or develop a
positive attitude?
Finding the right people to associate with is important. For
that reason people benefit from religious groups that they
associate with. There are many ways to find friends: finding
friends can come from sports activities, religious activities, work
activities, cultural activities (such as acting in a play), or play
activities (such as a bridge group). It is not simply a matter of
luck. The “mind,” where the attitude is, is the best asset for a
positive mental attitude.
WELCOME NEW RACE STAFF MEMBER Please welcome a new staff member
to the RACE Family.
Joseph King was hired as RACE’s new custodian. Joseph was
working at Rowland USD and Hacienda/La Puente USD districts as a
substitute custodian for about one year. Joseph is really excited
to be here at the Adult School. He says, “everyone is very nice and
professional”. He is looking forward to working here for the years
to come. His personal highlight of the year is getting a full-time
job.
WELCOME JOSEPH!
IT WAS A GREAT SUMMER FOR THE BRIDGEWATER CLAN!
BY: COLLEEN BRIDGEWATER
HE DID IT!!! Rouric graduated from Grand Canyon University with
a degree in Criminal Justice!!! He is staying in Arizona with his
girlfriend of 3 ½ years and is now working towards becoming a
Firefighter. We are so proud of that kid!
On August 11th Steve and I celebrated our 25th Wedding
Anniversary wine tasting in Cambria and Solvang. Spent a little too
much money on wine. Oh well, you only live once!
Finally, Becca left for London the end of August to do a study
abroad and is loving it! She will return December 19th in time for
the holidays!
NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEFCindy Clark and her ESL classes raised
$183.00 for the Nepal Earthquake Relief fund this past June. The
funds raised will help the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross to
provide comfort and hope to so many during their times of need.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this important
cause.
MAJESTIC REALTY FOUNDATION MAKE A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO
RACE
Pete Doherty, ESL/Citizenship Teacher applied for a grant with
Majestic Realty Foundation in the City of Industry and a $5,000
grant was awarded. Students in the surrounding area benefited this
past summer with the class fee being waived. Most students are low
income families, most are parents of the Rowland Unified School
District.
CONGRATULATIONS PETE!
WITHOUT AMBITION ONE STARTS NOTHING. WITHOUT WORK ONE FINISHES
NOTHING. THE PRIZE WILL NOT BE SENT TO YOU. YOU HAVE TO WIN IT.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON”
”
-
page page page pagen RACE Birthdaysn Becoming A U.S. Citizenn
Save The Daten Dates To Remember
n Majestic Realty Foundation Make a Generous Contribution to
RACE
n A Grand Surprise n Condolences n Congratulationsn Fullerton’s
Lady Lions Places
2nd in California State Rugby Championship
n Nepal Earthquake Relief
n Welcome New RACE STAFF n CULTURAL AWARENESSn It Was a Great
Summer for the
Bridgewater Clan!
n Learning by Doing
1 2 3 4
LEARNING BY DOINGBY: JANET DUKER
The summer of 2015 provided more adventures for the Dukers. My
husband and I set out the day after graduation for the wilds of
Canada. Well, ok, it was actually Vancouver. I happily anticipated
seeing beautiful scenery, and, as usual, we learned a great deal
from our experiences.
Early in our trip, we visited Old Town Sacramento and its famous
train museum. There are model trains in every scale, as well as
actual engines and cars that have been retired. They even have a
mail car, which shows how mail was once picked up, sorted, and
delivered. For train aficionados, the museum is a must-see.
In Portland, OR, I learned that there really is worse traffic
than L.A.’s! Seattle has the famous Pike Place Market, home of Pike
Place Seafood of “FISH” fame. The day we visited, there were no
fish flying because there were no paying customers. One of the
workers said, “No buy, no fly,” as most of us were there solely for
the entertainment. Finally, someone placed an order and a large
fish flew across the market. Mission accomplished.
Seattle also hosts the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. Dale
Chihuly is a well-known glass artist and his beautiful sculptures
are a spectacular sight. If you are a glass lover like me, you
would really appreciate them. Check him out on Google.
After several days of travel, we finally arrived in Vancouver.
Vancouver is a beautiful city and is home to Stanley Park, a huge
multi-acreage park overlooking the harbor. It contains numerous
trails, bike lanes, a beach area, and a section of Indian totem
poles, to name just a few of its features. We learned it was named
for Lord Stanley (as in Stanley Cup, for you hockey fans), a former
governor of Vancouver. In Victoria, on Vancouver Island, we visited
The Butchart Gardens, where we learned about the multitude of
plants and birds that make their home there.
Heading south, we stopped in Port Angeles, WA. Here I learned
that even when you book a whale watching trip that far north, there
is still no guarantee that any whales will actually be seen! In
fairness, we did see one humpback whale… in 4 ½ hours. Further
south, we spent time at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic
Monument, which was quite interesting. We learned that prior to the
eruption in 1980, the area had been experiencing earthquakes for
two months.
At the Oregon-California border, we headed to the coast. We made
stops in Trinidad, near Patrick’s Point State Park, where we took
long walks through the forest, and later, near Fort Bragg in
Mendocino. I had planned out this trip and thought it would be nice
to drive south on Hwy 1. Let’s just say it had been a very long
time since we last done that and my memory was a bit faded. So we
drove from Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay on Hwy 1. Hwy 1 has some of the
most beautiful scenery in the world, but it can be hard to
appreciate it when you are white-knuckling the steering wheel as
you prepare for the nest almost-blind curve. This is particularly
true if you happen to be driving a motor home and towing a car,
totaling about 50 feet in length. Throw in very narrow roads and
the occasional bicyclist, and you understand new meaning to the
word “breathtaking.”
We spent the last few days of our trip in Paso Robles. This
included the 4th of July, which we spent in Cambria, one of my
favorite places in the world. It was a great way to wrap up our
trip.
One of the side benefits of traveling is the education that
comes with it. Without actually trying, we learned so much while
away. From the different types of topography, to information about
wildlife, to the far-reaching effects of California’s drought, it
was quite an education and a blessing. On to the next!
Employment OpportunityDo you have a special talent, unique skill
or idea for a fee-based class you would like to teach? If you do,
we’re looking for you! Give us a call at (626) 965-5975.
HAVE YOU “LIKED” OUR RACE PAGE YET????
Communication Connecting Rowland Adult Community Education Staff
Members
Mission: To inspire students to reach their goals and
realizetheir potential through various educational programs.
Vision: To identify and address the challenges of a
culturallydiverse and ever changing population; striving to fulfill
theneeds of our students by providing a curriculum empoweringthem
to be informed, productive and successful citizens ofthe 21st
century.
Effective Communicators • Responsible Citizens • Problem Solvers
• Culturally Aware • Life-long Learners
DECEMBER 01 Pete Doherty 02 Nancy Gardner
06 Ami Takanashi
OCTOBER 08 Norma Parra
11 Ivette Rodriguez 15 Mark Ramirez 20 Janna Socash 28 Rocky
Bettar 28 Lissette Calderon
NOVEMBER 08 Linda Odegaard
11 Jessica M. Marin 15 Colleen Bridgewater
SAVE THE DATE!
BECOMING A U.S. CITIZEN
Leadership Meetings .................... Sept. 3, 2015,
...........................Oct. 22, 2015 and Nov. 19, 2015Daylight
Savings Time Ends ......... Nov. 1, 2015
Computer GED Testing (Thursdays) September 3, 10, 17, and 24,
2015October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2015November 5, 12, and 19,
2015
CAHSEEOctober 6 -7, 2015November 3 - 4, 2015
NO CLASSESBuckboard Day Parade .................Oct. 17,
2015Veteran’s Day ..................................Nov.11,
2015Thanksgiving ........................... Nov. 25-27, 2015
dates to remember
Our next Christmas Party will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday,
December 4, 2015. The cost is around $25 per person. There will be
the annual gift exchange. The gift cost should be no more than $10
and it can be funny, creative or serious. Plan to join us for an
evening of delicious dinner and fun. Please RSVP to Colleen
Bridgewater.
On July 22, 2015, I finally became a U.S. citizen! The oath
taking ceremony was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It
was a bittersweet moment to be alongside thousands of other
candidates, waving our small American flags with pride for it
wasn’t easy to get to where we are now. I was born and raised in
the Philippines. My grandfather from my dad’s side was part of the
Filipino guerrilla and fought on behalf of American forces during
World War II. For his service, he was granted U.S. citizenship and
was able to petition his kids to gain permanent residency in
America, including my dad, of course. In 2002, when I was 6 years
old, my dad came to America and worked hard to bring our family to
the country. After being apart and the sacrifices our family faced
for three years, everything finally worked out and my dad was able
to bring my mom, sisters and I here in 2005. We became U.S.
permanent residents, but most importantly, the family was together
again. And the rest is history.
My family is truly grateful to be in this country. As a citizen,
I am entitled to the same rights, freedom, and opportunities as all
other Americans. I am given opportunities that I wouldn’t ever
imagine of having such as studying at a great University and having
a job. This year has truly been a good and memorable year for my
family as each one of us became American citizens.
To those pursuing on becoming an American citizen, never give
up! It may be a hard process, but it’s all well worth it at the
end.
Mary Esguerra, Student Assistant
