Before coming to America I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic.And because living with your grandparents  while your parents worked was common I lived with mi mama(what we call grandmas in the Dominican Republic).Mi mama  would always like to make me look like a doll and pretty like she did when my mom was younger.But education was always a strong part in life.So my Pre-Kinder that is important to me.

I remember everyday before school mi mama would do my hair and talk to me to obey the teachers and learn.During this time I lived in"La Vega" where a lot of mi mama's family lived.So every morning my gran auntie's son would pick me up and his daughters who were older than me in his white van.and they'll take me to "La salon de clase"(classroom).But I'll always take my golden teddy bear which got me in trouble.So I'll always complain to mi mama.

But picture day was different.That day mi mama did my favorite hairstyle and I took my teddy bear.During the time I was in school my teddy bear was taken away.Which is why in the potrait I had such a serious face.But now it reminds me that even though I got something I cherished when I was little that got taken.I have something now that is better that I will cherish and honor as I get older, that reminds me of myself,mi mama,my culture,my family,and younger me.

– C.S

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child