Maria stepped out of the car, ten minutes late for the first day of class, with her hands on her cheeks. This was not a gesture of dismay or an imitation of The Scream by Edvard Munch, but a purely practical gesture. She was keeping pressure on her cheeks to ease her pain. About the same time that the sun was rising this morning, Maria was having her wisdom teeth removed.
She spoke quietly and her words were further muffled by the immobility of her jaw. “I am sorry I am late, but I just had my wisdom teeth removed. Education is so important to me that I do not want to miss a single day of class.”
Maria’s actions illustrate her resolve to achieve her goals. While Maria’s story is unique, her dedication is not. She is a reminder of the importance of providing motivated New Americans with opportunities for advancement.
