My High School Years: Freshman yr
I really can't believe it's been 4 yrs. I came to America about the same time that I had to start high school. It was awkward, and I had many mixed feelings. I really didn't want to come to America on the first place. I wanted to be with my family, but I hated having to leave all my life, memories and friends and come to a new country, and having to start all over. I wasn't made for change. I didn't think I would be able to make friends again, or to achieve the same level of success that I had over there. I also doubted whether I could develop as a person on this liberal culture, and whether I could one day be respected by the people around me. Today, almost 4 yrs after I came here, I can say I have succeeded. I am really proud of myself, cuz I worked hard to be where I am. However, I am nothing without my family, and without a long list of people that I've met along the way. I hope I can name everyone, because they're all a big part of my success.
My first time in Aliso was a rough one. I had trouble on registration, and no one was willing to help me. I felt lonely, lost in the middle of an unknown place. But then the first wonderful person crossed my path: a guy named Charlie Chang. He was on link crew, and he made a wonderful effort to understand my broken english, and he helped me register. On the first day of school, I happened to get my class schedule from him, and God put him on my way once again after I couldn't find my first period classroom. I felt happy after I finally found Silberman's room 707. My high school career was underway.
My teachers helped a lot, or at least some of them did. Silberman made school feel a little less stressful thanks to his never ending jokes. Klasna was very sweet to me, and she eased my transition. Munsell was a jerk, but he made me strong. Riach praised me a lot. Chubb recognized my efforts and made the whole class applaud me for achieving so much with only 6 months in the U.S. Lisa Millerd, no longer in Aliso, challenged me to "solve my own problems", and to not depend on teachers for help. Mr.Miller was funny, but I didn't learn anything. Mrs.Van Linge hated freshmen, and I wasn't the exception. Chapman never cared about his class.
Along the way, I met some people that helped in my transition to the American culture. In fact, they helped me to avoid loneliness, and that was a key in my success. Early on I met Miguel Perez and his brother, and today we're friends an co-workers. I met 2 peruvian quality people: Edgar Alfaro and Jorge Rivera, my best friend at the time. Michael Mateus, the little Colombian guy, helped me fit in his group. I also met Cesar Larrain, and thanks to him I discovered my love for tennis. I had never grabbed a racquet before in Argentina, but I had some success in the tennis class (while he played varsity tennis), and the passion for the sport binded us. Before he went back to Bolivia (he was on exchange, and now studying in Chicago), we played countless hrs of tennis, and I realized that I wasn't that bad after all. After he left, the summer was boring. I was on my own again, ready to go back to school. I wanted to make my sophomore yr a good one. I thought I would get friends, meet the girl of my dreams and get the best grades. Unfortunately, I couldn't accomplish much of the first 2.
Other people I want to mention:
Saul Salvatierra: a guy from bolivia, awesome person, extremely humble, a complete inspiration for working hard and chasing your dreams
Marisa Bojiuc: She left too soon, before I could confess my love. Broke my heart, and it took me a yr to get over her. OUCH
Jeff Schroeder: The first guy that wanted to be my friend. I rejected him, and now I regret it. My heart was still in Argentina, I was still mourning in a way.
Jared McLennan: we went different ways, but I really appreciated his company in my classes, and he made me feel like I could fit in.
Melody Bader: I hated this tiny girl that used to sit right next to me in CECA. By the end of the semester, we solved our differences and now we have a healthy relationship.
Careena Dudic: She put me down when I was nothing, when I had no name. Too bad, today she could not do the same.
Eli Brandon: First guy I talked to here in America, in a class. Nice dude
OTHER STUFF
My grades were pretty good, and I got a Espirit de Wolverine diploma for science. It was my first experience with the people that are my friends today.
Overall, it was a learning year. Everything was new. Language, school, culture, friends, schedules, eveeryhting. I made it through, and my success set up the tone for the upcoming years.
Thanks to all of you who helped me get through my toughest moments.
Rodrigo Azurmendi
PS: Part II coming soon
My first time in Aliso was a rough one. I had trouble on registration, and no one was willing to help me. I felt lonely, lost in the middle of an unknown place. But then the first wonderful person crossed my path: a guy named Charlie Chang. He was on link crew, and he made a wonderful effort to understand my broken english, and he helped me register. On the first day of school, I happened to get my class schedule from him, and God put him on my way once again after I couldn't find my first period classroom. I felt happy after I finally found Silberman's room 707. My high school career was underway.
My teachers helped a lot, or at least some of them did. Silberman made school feel a little less stressful thanks to his never ending jokes. Klasna was very sweet to me, and she eased my transition. Munsell was a jerk, but he made me strong. Riach praised me a lot. Chubb recognized my efforts and made the whole class applaud me for achieving so much with only 6 months in the U.S. Lisa Millerd, no longer in Aliso, challenged me to "solve my own problems", and to not depend on teachers for help. Mr.Miller was funny, but I didn't learn anything. Mrs.Van Linge hated freshmen, and I wasn't the exception. Chapman never cared about his class.
Along the way, I met some people that helped in my transition to the American culture. In fact, they helped me to avoid loneliness, and that was a key in my success. Early on I met Miguel Perez and his brother, and today we're friends an co-workers. I met 2 peruvian quality people: Edgar Alfaro and Jorge Rivera, my best friend at the time. Michael Mateus, the little Colombian guy, helped me fit in his group. I also met Cesar Larrain, and thanks to him I discovered my love for tennis. I had never grabbed a racquet before in Argentina, but I had some success in the tennis class (while he played varsity tennis), and the passion for the sport binded us. Before he went back to Bolivia (he was on exchange, and now studying in Chicago), we played countless hrs of tennis, and I realized that I wasn't that bad after all. After he left, the summer was boring. I was on my own again, ready to go back to school. I wanted to make my sophomore yr a good one. I thought I would get friends, meet the girl of my dreams and get the best grades. Unfortunately, I couldn't accomplish much of the first 2.
Other people I want to mention:
Saul Salvatierra: a guy from bolivia, awesome person, extremely humble, a complete inspiration for working hard and chasing your dreams
Marisa Bojiuc: She left too soon, before I could confess my love. Broke my heart, and it took me a yr to get over her. OUCH
Jeff Schroeder: The first guy that wanted to be my friend. I rejected him, and now I regret it. My heart was still in Argentina, I was still mourning in a way.
Jared McLennan: we went different ways, but I really appreciated his company in my classes, and he made me feel like I could fit in.
Melody Bader: I hated this tiny girl that used to sit right next to me in CECA. By the end of the semester, we solved our differences and now we have a healthy relationship.
Careena Dudic: She put me down when I was nothing, when I had no name. Too bad, today she could not do the same.
Eli Brandon: First guy I talked to here in America, in a class. Nice dude
OTHER STUFF
My grades were pretty good, and I got a Espirit de Wolverine diploma for science. It was my first experience with the people that are my friends today.
Overall, it was a learning year. Everything was new. Language, school, culture, friends, schedules, eveeryhting. I made it through, and my success set up the tone for the upcoming years.
Thanks to all of you who helped me get through my toughest moments.
Rodrigo Azurmendi
PS: Part II coming soon