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June is Immigrant Heritage Month!

National News – June 2018

English in Action and the Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) stand with asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants. Immigrant Heritage Month is a chance for us to celebrate immigrants and the contributions they make to American society. 

Since 2013, ARNIC has served more than 1,000 asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants from over 60 countries. Through English language classes, professional development workshops and cultural events, ARNIC helps immigrants become active and engaged members of American society. Within a safe and welcoming environment ARNIC members improve their English, explore work and study opportunities, network, pursue citizenship and acquire cultural fluency as they build their new lives in the U.S.

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Congratulations ARNIC Class of 2018

National News – May 31, 2018, The Fourth Universalist Society of New York

Graduation is a memorable moment for all students, but for the 166 graduates from the Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) on May 31, this achievement was especially significant. ARNIC graduates are unique in that they are all new immigrants who attended a free, yearlong scholarship program through English in Action. 

On May 31, 2018 ARNIC hosted a graduation ceremony for students, teachers, supporters and elected officials at Fourth Universalist Society in New York. Following the ceremony, a benefit dinner supporting ARNIC raised more than $76,000 through the generosity of a matching challenge grant from the Marietta and Andrew Romay Foundation.

Thanks to the ARNIC program, I have gained confidence and experience. Those keys I know will open doors to professional opportunities for me. As an immigrant, as a mother, as a woman in my 40s, as an asylum seeker—believe me, there are a lot of challenges I face, but that won't stop me from doing what I have to do today for me and my community. Niurka Melendez-Vasquez, ARNIC Graduate

Click to see photos from the ARNIC Graduation.

Click to watch the graduation ceremony, speeches and panel discussion.

Click to download a copy of the ARNIC Graduation program.

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Ali Cohen from Arizona competed in the IPSC Grand Final round in London

National News – May 18, 2018, Dartmouth House, ESU Commonwealth, London

"The only difference between these two girls--in fact, the only difference between girls like myself and the 60 million uneducated girls around the world is chance."

These words were spoken today in London by Chandler Arizona high school junior Ali Cohen as part of her speech, Many Worlds Apart at the Grand Final of the ESU International Public Speaking Competition at Dartmouth House today.

Ali (third from right in the front row) used her platform to urge those who have power and influence to be a conduit for the story of uneducated girls around the world as they fight for education, opportunity and equality. 

Watch the IPSC Grand Finals on Facebook. 
(Ali Cohen's speech is at 1:21:00)

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279 middle school students from 6 states debated at the Championship Tournament

National News – May 5, 2018, Nest +m school

Should reptiles be pets? Should the Olympics include video games? Should the US adopt a guaranteed minimum income level? These are just a few of the topics middle school students debated during the English in Action Middle School Debate Championship Tournament on May 5 in New York City. Debaters came from 33 schools in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, Maryland and Colorado to participate in the seventh annual tournament at the Nest +m public school.

Rachel Carson Middle School from Herndon, Virginia won the final debate against The Dalton School from New York, New York.

Jasmine Sanchez of West End Secondary School in New York, NY won the Top Speaker and coveted Golden Gavel awards.

Click here to see the tournament photos.

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National News

April 23 may have been a normal Monday for most students, but as the birthday of William Shakespeare and the date of the 35th Annual National Shakespeare Competition, April 23, 2018 will be a day that fifty-five high school students will never forget. Students from around the US competed on stage in the Mitzi Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center as the culmination of a year-long competition hosted by the English-Speaking Union (ESU).

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