West Hempstead Secondary School junior and ENL student Edin Morales-Gomez has overcome numerous obstacles in his journey to becoming a member of the West Hempstead school community.
A native of Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala, Morales-Gomez, 17, arrived to West Hempstead last year. Growing up in the rural part of Guatemala, he would walk two hours to school, and he worked four days a week harvesting corn and beans on his family’s farm. Between schoolwork and working on the farm, both helped him develop a sense of discipline and a strong work ethic. He had a difficult journey arriving to the West Hempstead School District last year, but he was amazed to see the outpouring of love and support from his teachers at West Hempstead Secondary School.
“I love that there’s so many teachers here in West Hempstead who want to help me achieve my goals and become successful,” he said. “All of our teachers pay close attention to us, and they provide us with everything that we need.”
Morales-Gomez, who also plays forward and midfield for the Rams varsity soccer team, said he enjoys interacting with his teachers, teammates and classmates who have helped to get him acclimated in the district. An avid learner, he quickly learned the basics of the English language.
“Edin demonstrates on a daily basis that anything becomes possible with a little grit and an open mind,” said ENL teacher Nick DiBenedetto. “He is inquisitive, and pushes his own learning forward, which often bolsters the educational experiences of those around him. Simply put, he is a learning sponge, and he exhibits the qualities most teachers would love to see in all of their students.”
Dr. Katie DiGregorio, the district’s director of ENL and instructional technology, said that she is impressed at Morales-Gomez’s willingness to pursue new challenges both in and outside the classroom.
“He’s always asking questions, he always wants to try something new, and he has really embraced being a part of our school community,” Dr. Gregorio said. “He has a love for learning and he wants to be involved in everything at the secondary school.”
Morales-Gomez, who now lives with his aunt and cousin, is currently taking four regents-level classes. While he is unsure about his career, he is confident that his teachers will continue to guide him through his educational journey in West Hempstead.
“Edin is a delight to have in class,” said ENL teacher Lisa McCarthy. “He is always prepared and is an enthusiastic learner. He works well with his others and is willing to help his classmates better understand their algebra work. He is a very hard worker and just a model student.”
