Keissy Castro Quiros and Liam Samora Chavez are two Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School students who are relatively new citizens to the United States.
While these 8th Grade students are quickly and efficiently learning the English language, they are quite accomplished in their writing skills.
Boy, are they ever!
Each was honored with an elite award for their ability to write.
That became official on Monday, April 28, when Diana Amarante Caspao, their dedicated and devoted Middle School Teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL), was notified by the New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/Bilingual Educators (NJTESOL/NJBE) that Keissy and Liam were winners of a state-sponsored essay contest.
The NJTESOL/NJBE contest was open to all students in Grade 8 throughout New Jersey, who were asked to reply to the following official question in their own words:
Topic: In 300 to 500 words (in English), “Suggest three things that your school could do to help new immigrants adjust to life in the United States.”
And, the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School is the proud home to the only two winners from the entire state—once again.
Just two years ago, an 8th Grade ESL student from the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Valentina Ardila Valens, was the recipient of this same award from the NJTESOL/NJBE with her impact essay in regards to the same question that both Keissy and Liam tackled. Valentina, whose ESL teacher at the Middle School was Carla Jorge, is presently a sophomore at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
According to LeighAnn Matthews, the invaluable leader of this highly successful ESL program in her position of K-12 Supervisor for Multilingual Education for the school district, the NJTESOL/NJBE is an association of educators and administrators dedicated to the instruction of multilingual learners at all levels of public and private education.
She also reported that the association’s mission includes classroom practices, research, curriculum development, funding, employment, and socio-political concerns.
Both Keissy and Liam provided a summary of their award-winning essays.
Keissy, who immigrated to the United States two years and four months ago from Costa Rica, revealed what message she shared in her essay.
“That people know that immigrant families emigrate because of issues and problems. Many times, they don't know where to turn or who to turn to. Many times, parents don't have enough information, and parent support groups for immigrant families would be very beneficial.”
Liam has also thrived in his new home after he settled in the United States from Mexico one and a half years ago.
He explained his recommendation in his essay to ease the transition for foreign students in their maiden year in the United States.
“Students who come here learn that many schools offer programs for students to learn English. That school's resources can help them, and I also wanted people to know how schools can support immigrant families.”
Both Liam and Keissy suggested that having a student guide/ambassador would be very beneficial, at least for the first few weeks of school, for new students, especially those who are new to the country.
For their achievement, both Liam and Keissy will receive a touch screen laptop and will be joined by Ms. Caspao and will be honored at the annual NJTESOL/NJBE President’s Awards Ceremony during the 2025 Spring Conference on May 21 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick.
Ms. Matthews, who will also be on hand for the ceremony on May 21, was elated over the accomplishments of the two students as well as the guidance from their teacher.
"I am so proud of Ms. Caspao, Keissy, and Liam for earning this prestigious state award. Their dedication, passion, and hard work truly exemplify the mission of our district's multilingual department - speaking more than one language is an asset,” Ms. Matthews declared. “And it is a huge honor for Bridgewater-Raritan to know that both of the award winners this year are from our middle school! Thank you, Ms. Caspao, for supporting your students and providing them with the opportunity to enter this contest. Congratulations."
Ms. Caspao shared her emotions and excitement.
“I am very proud of the accomplishments of these students. I am fortunate to have spent the last two years teaching both of them and seeing how much they have learned and grown," Ms. Caspao said. " know what they are capable of and hope that they now see how much they can accomplish if they just put in the work and, more importantly, believe in themselves!”