Under the Radar

Andres Ramirez talks about what brought him to Severna Park, and where he’s going next.

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High School is a time for growth, and for some, requires learning a whole new environment. Students from foreign countries have found success in English as a second language (ESOL) programs, and senior Andres Ramirez is another example of the hard work and dedication it takes. “I was put in a program for non-English speakers that helped me improve my English, [until] I was finally able to transfer to Severna Park,” Ramirez said.

Racheal Crumbaker, Media Manager

Severna Park High School has much to offer, but it can be daunting to any student. Foreign language credits are required for graduation, but not many students can say they have had to learn an entirely different language before they even enter high school.

Andres Ramirez (‘18) is a student from Colombia, raised in Panama with his family. He moved to Maryland a few years ago, and was enrolled at Old Mill High School. “The transition was difficult, mainly because of the language barrier,” Ramirez said. He joined Severna Park just last year, after transferring from Old Mill. “I was put in a program for non-English speakers that helped me improve my English skills to a point that I was finally able to transfer.” Old Mill High School has a variety of classes for students with English as a second language, or ESOL. Teachers work with them throughout high school, until students are comfortable transitioning to an environment where they can communicate and learn effectively in a new language. These classes are highly beneficial to students like Andres, and help integrate teens from other countries into a new education system.

As for his future plans, Ramirez plans to return to his parents, who currently live in Mexico. “I’ll be attending Arkansas State University, [it has] a campus in Mexico,” Ramirez said. “I’m interested in studying abroad, and we’re happy that we’re going to be close to each other.”