For my object, I chose a photo album that I bought from St. Maarten when I was younger. The photo album is made out of leaves and twine, and “St. Maarten” used to be written in twine on it as well. I have traveled with my immediate family, cousins, grandma, and other extended family members to St. Maarten since I was 0 years old. In 2017, Hurricane Irma hit St. Maarten and my family and I didn’t visit for about 5 years. I went back for one year during 8th grade, and it brought back all the memories I experienced before. However, I haven’t visited since because of exams in school. The island is very small, divided by the French side (North) and the Dutch side (South). My family and I travel to the Dutch side, and stay in the same hotel every time, visiting the same restaurants and beaches. We also visit the town, where we shop, and explore the French side. Looking through the photo album helps me remember how much fun I had when I traveled there. It contains pictures of me doing arts and crafts with my brothers and cousins, us eating dinner on the beach, and us swimming in the water. It also helps me remember the moment I bought the photo album because I was so excited to fill it with pictures. St. Maarten is very important to me because I created very important and joyful memories there, and hope to visit again. It’s especially important to my grandma because she has spent so much time there with family members, which she really loves and enjoys.

– Ana Chaple

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more