Star Student: Fiona Excels In Foreign Language In Merrick

MERRICK, NY — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Hilda Wong who nominated her daughter Fiona / 11th grade of Merrick.

Star local student’s name

Fiona / 11th grade

Star local student’s home state

New York

How do you know the star local student?

Parent

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

This star student should be recognized for her commitment and dedication to celebrating diversity in the Merrick community. Fiona is a junior at Calhoun High School. She has been enrolled in the school district’s foreign language program since 7th grade. Fiona noticed that many grade-school students in the community hesitate to choose a foreign language class when they enter middle school because neither the students nor their families are familiar with the cultural aspects of these foreign countries. With the purpose of introducing different traditions and cultures to the Merrick community, Fiona organized a monthly volunteer program with her peers at the local library. This program is called the Little Languages. By teaching grade-school students about the cultural values of different ethnic groups through fun activities, songs, and stories, Little Languages’ mission is to promote acceptance of cultural differences from a young age. The program has been running since November 2021 and has become one of the favorite programs at the North Merrick Library’s Children Room. Each month before the event, Fiona meets with her team to design a “curriculum”, promotes the event on social media, and distributes flyers within the community. Fiona and her team of volunteers teach children aged 4-8 the languages of Italian, French, Spanish, and Mandarin. In addition to introducing the language, Little Languages also covers topics like holidays, food, and fun facts of each foreign country. For example: for Valentine’s day, the children learned how different countries celebrate this holiday; On a back to school edition, the children learned how their counterparts in China spend their first day at school. Through attending the Little Languages program, grade-school students in the Merrick community are encouraged to learn how our unique differences should be celebrated and how we can all be brought together.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

Fiona is an academically high-achieving student. She is also an active member of the school and Merrick community. Outside of school, she’s always looking for ways to give back to the community. In addition to being the founder of Little Languages, Fiona is the lead guitarist of Calhoun High School rock band. To bring joy to Merrick and to help bring the community together, Fiona works closely with teachers and community leaders for opportunities to perform in the neighborhood. The rock band has headlined at school’s football games, the Merrick street fair, holiday lighting ceremony and community charity events. Currently, Fiona is finalizing the details with the North Merrick Library to include the Calhoun rock band in its spring/summer outdoor concert series. Fiona is a model student at school and she also strives to become a model citizen in the community.

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future,Fiona / 11th grade!

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