Be the Media!

Teachers and families came to support the release of Struggle to be Strong: An Anthology of Empowerment March 12, a book written by 86 immigrant students at the International High School at Lafayette in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The Café Night featured students reading from their work, dramatic performances and songs. Teachers Christina Zawerucha and Leah Hamilton mentored the media project where students wrote about personal struggles and heroes. Student’s stories discussed family deaths, drugs, discrimination, relationships and war. “One of the ways of telling a great story is to look at your life and the struggles that you’ve had and how they’ve made you stronger,” Zawerucha said.