Aerie InternationaL - Missoula County Public Schools

nadia quari, 17: My name is Nadia. I’m Pakistani-American and my parents immigrated to
America 25 years ago, but my dad still gets lost when speaking in English sometimes. I speak
fluent Urdu and by now I’ve watched so many Bollywood movies that
I am also confident in Hindi. I like to drink chai with my mom and we
always joke about how I have to marry a rich Arab sheikh to pay off
my student loans after college. I listen to classical sitar ragas and I like
to read translated works by Farsi and Arabic speaking poets. I always
remember my dreams and I’ve recently acquired a taste for spicy tuna
roll sushi, it’s delicious.
jake ross, 17: Jake Ross is a junior at a residential high school for the arts
in South Carolina. Jake Ross enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies,
and wearing sweaters designed for old men. Jake Ross is not actually sure
whether or not he was supposed to write this biography in the third person.
Often my stories are the product of my noticing an interesting detail in reality,
something that would be fun to work characters around. I heard the jingle for
an insect-removal company, and “Worker Bee” spiraled outwards from there.
sumi selvaraj, 18: My name is Sumathee Selvaraj, but I prefer to go by the name of Sumi, which
I will probably end up legally changing my name to one day. I am South Indian (from India), and
I was born and brought up with South Indian traditions in Atlanta. I am currently a senior at
Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia. I enjoy singing, taking photos, and dancing. Unlike
most dancers, I learn a classical Indian art form called Kuchipudi.
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evelina shakirova, 15: My name is Evelina. I am fifteen years old. I live in
Kazan. I love my city very much. I like to photograph, to sing, to dance and to
study English language! I think, I’m very cheerful and nice! In my future I’m
planning to learn French and German languages.
victoria shapovalova, 14: Hello! My name is Shapovalova Victoria. I’m 14
years old. I live in Kazan (Tatarstan, Russia) and I love my city very much.
My hobby is music and I love to sing very much.
sarah stern, 17: I am Sarah Stern, age 17, born and raised a Kansas girl. I have a huge mane of
curly blonde hair and a laugh that can be heard a block away. I’m a shrewd bargain hunter and
a passionate photographer. I started my own business at fifteen and
enjoy spending time exploring fields in warm weather. I love to salsa
dance and play classical piano music. While I know I’ll be attending
college in the fall, my only other definite plans include joining the Peace
Corps upon graduation from college.
alexaundra swann, 17: I am from Atlanta, but when I was very young I moved to Texas: I
spent five years of my life there, learning and growing up. I began my poetic expressions in the
first grade. I live with my mother, father, sister, and brother, and our
pride is in our family values. I write simply to let out feelings that
would stay bottled up otherwise. Freedom is my greatest possession
when expressing exactly how I’m feeling. My piece “Roses” is meant
to portray the innocence of young girls. It is actually a true story of
my best friend and me walking on a lake in the back of our apartment
complex.