New Haven Independent

They were all honored at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.

Seventh-grader Sergio Olmedo Ramirez arrived in New Haven only three years ago from the town of San Juan, near Puebla, Mexico. He wrote an eloquent essay in English and Spanish that wowed the National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE). He won a $1,500 cash prize, and a trip with his family, teacher, and the runner-up, sixth-grader Kiana Hernandez, to Tampa.

There, last Friday, he read his essay before 1,600 people and received a near-standing ovation when he got to one of his main points: namely that being bilingual would help him communicate on behalf of those who are not. “I will say to the President: an immigrant is a hard-working person who is grateful for living in a free country. Let them become citizens. Let their voices be heard all over the world.”

Wells said that Sergio was taped on television and feted and treated like a rock star in Tampa, and that he retained his great poise.

Sergio, a charming boy who translates for his entire family — both his parents were working their night jobs so could not attend Monday night’s meeting — said that his essay was originally six pages long and full of passionate questions such as why immigrants who work the hardest and most dangerous jobs are not treated fairly. But for space reasons, he edited and toned it down. “Revised,” he said, “not censored.”

As Sergio declared, “I want my American dream to come true and I want to be bilingual so I can be a voice for people who struggle,” BOE members visibly beamed.

Principal Wells said that in part as a result of Sergio’s triumph and perseverance — he had applied last year to the same contest and didn’t succeed — John C. Daniels School has become contest crazy. She said the kids are on the Internet writing essays and applying for everything in sight.

What does Sergio want to do when he grows up in addition to being, perhaps a great professional translator? He wants to be great soccer player. Gina Wells is working hard on finding a two-week soccer camp for this remarkable young man to attend this summer.

The John C. Daniels School has received national attention for its dual language theme. All the kids, from kindergarten through fourth grade, receive daily instruction in English and Spanish.