"During the semester, I have to challenge myself to perform adequately enough to continue playing sports (track and field). My hardest subjects are AP English and Language & Composition, and my favorite subject is Pre-Calculus. It's challenging, but I like it. Someday I'd like to go into Science or Computer Engineering."
"Ever since we studied World War I in high school, I've been fascinated with the Russian culture. My original plan was to go to Russia to teach English, so I got my degree in ESL and History, but the political situation changed that plan. Plus, I started working at DeNeuville and fell in love with the people here. I teach classes in basic and level 1 ESL. "Both my roommates speak Spanish to me at home, so I'm beginning to understand that language, although I'm kind of scared to speak it. I think that experience has made me more compassionate toward my students when they're afraid of speaking in English." Sarah is the Program Assistant at DeNeuville Learning Center, located at 190 S. Cooper. DeNeuville's stated mission is to "empower women to improve their lives through education and community." Academic and enrichment classes are offered at the center, including the following:
"My husband and I came here from Mexico ten years ago, and I'm working now on getting my GED. We have three girls, ages 4, 8, and 9. I want to teach them all about the culture they came from. I hope to see them finish college and get good jobs someday." Lizet is a student at DeNeuville Learning Center, 190 S. Cooper. DeNeuville's stated mission is to "empower women to improve their lives through education and community."
"My teacher is my hero because she shows me lots of things, and I get to learn. She teaches me about multiplication and how the earth rotates, and she reads Magic School Bus books to the class. I'm going to be a teacher when I grow up too."
"I painted this piece for a dear friend of mine who was very ill. It was a way to hold her in sacred space, to give her my love and prayers. She and I both had rough upbringings, and we're very different, but we claim each other as sisters. I get my steel backbone from her, and she gets her softness from me. She's my Annie Oakley. When you have deep soul friendships throughout life, you know how special it is. As women, as sisters, we need to be aware of each other and hold each other up. I try to do that through my painting. Art is how I pray." The painting done for Lisa's friend: The painting below and the poem are companion pieces: Lisa Jennings, painter/sculptor, lives in Nashville but currently has an exhibit in Memphis at the L. Ross Gallery, 5040 Sanderlin. The show, titled Sisters, runs through May 28, 2015. Gallery hours are:
"From the time I was a little girl, when people asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I always said, 'I want to travel', and I have. I've lived in England, Holland, Monte Carlo, the Virgin Islands, Mexico, and several different states. I'd say to anyone, there's no better education than traveling. I've worked a variety of jobs as well. For a while I was a chef and stewardess on private yachts. I remember one time being on a yacht on a transatlantic crossing. The seas were so rough and the waves so high that every time the yacht smacked down, everybody on board went airborne. We had to crawl around on our hands and knees just to avoid getting killed. I wasn't afraid though. I just thought it was terribly exciting." Tater Red's Lucky Mojos, 153 Beale Street.
"We moved from Libya to the United States because my husband got a scholarship to medical school. I have a degree in psychology, but I've had to work on learning English since we came here. Eventually, I'd like to go back to college and then, once my kids are all in school, I want to go to work. My son is 13 months old. I want him to become a doctor like his dad." Hanan is a student at DeNeuville Learning Center, 190 S. Cooper. DeNeuville's stated mission is to "empower women to improve their lives through education and community."
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March 2021
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