"Shortly after I had arrived in the U.S., I entered the third grade. I only spoke a dew words of English, such as 'hello' and 'goodbye.' I remember how frightened I was when I first walked into a classroom full of stangers. I couldn't understand what my classmates of teachers were saying. One blonde-haired girl - I had never seen blond kids before - took me by the hand and led me from class to class and to recess. I couldn't understand her, but I thought she was a friend because she smiled at me and seemed very nice. Later, I figured out that her name was Erica. We became the best of friends throughout out elementary school years. Until this day, I still remember how nice and helpful Erica Spence was to me."

2003.200.021