City of Perris, California--How does a Third World country Filipino kid, a by-product of his country's bi-lingual education, fare in American public high schools whose medium of instruction is English?
He appears to be performing well in both academics and extracullicular pursuits, despite problems like relocation to a new and different environment.
In fact, Jeric-Israel B. Julian, a senior student in one of the public schools in Riverside County, is a consistent recipient of the Student of the Month Award since his freshman year.
The SMA is given to students of US high schools and the 8-year elementary schools who excel in their academic subjects as well as in their extracullicular activities. Although qualified, a student will not receive the award twice during the same school-year.
Jeric-Israel's latest award came honoring him and three other recipients of the SMA from three public high schools during a luncheon program at the Sizzler restaurant here last Oct 13.
In attendance during the event were US education officials, City Mayor Daryl R. Busch of the City of Perris, Congressman Darrel Issa, high school principals and teachers including parents and grandparents of the outstanding students.
Jeric-Israel, a senior at the Paloma Valley High School, was cited for his "commitment to character, love of learning, perseverance and community service" by the Perris Valley and Greater Menifee Chanbers of Commerce, sponsors for the award for the past 13 years.
The other awardees were all born and raised and schooled in the United States. Jeric-Israel, who attended the St Louis University Laboratory Elementary School in Baguio, was the only Filipino recipient of the award.
Jeric-Israel was also presented certificates of recognition by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and the California State Senate and a certificate of Special Congressional recognition by the US House of Representatives.
Earlier, the Princeton, New Jersey-based Advanced Placement Program College Board, conferred on Jeric-Israel the APP Scholar Award.
In an accompanying letter, APP Vice-President Trevor Packer, said that Jeric_Israel belongs to a "unique group of students worldwide who have passed the rigorous series of college-level courses and exams."
Jeric-Israel is one of the sons of Dianne and Anib-Israel Julian of Mapandan, Pangasinan and Oscariz, Ramon, Isabela who immigrated to the US in 2005.
*Jeric-Israel is the author's grandchild.
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