Graduates make their own American dream

The inspiring stories of new Columbus City Schools graduates Anaemy Danner and Fatima Abukar are a reminder of the opportunity that America continues to offer to immigrants from around the world.

The fact that they are part of such a large cohort in the school district points out the challenge the district faces in ensuring all students a good education.

Among the senior class that just graduated from Columbus schools, 13 percent were born in foreign countries. They have brought with them a rich diversity and helped make other Columbus students more aware of the world beyond the United States. But many also have come with special needs that schools must work to meet.

For the more-fortunate, a language barrier is the primary challenge. More than 11 percent of students need English as a Second Language instruction, and the student body speaks nearly 90 languages.

For many, including Danner, the journey to the U.S. was preceded by tragedy and violence.

Danner and her mother lived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in

2010 when a massive earthquake killed thousands. She saw people die in front of her, including a woman crushed by a car. Seeing the carnage and helpless to aid anyone, she resolved to come to the U.S. and become a doctor.

Fatima Abukar grew up in Iraq amid bombings. After a time in school in Louisville, Ky., where she felt unwelcome, her family came to Columbus, where she appreciated the efforts the school district made to acknowledge her culture and help her adjust. She reciprocated, excelling in her studies, joining school clubs and tutoring younger students.

Now, both young women have graduated with honors — Abukar was valedictorian at West High School and Danner spoke at graduation for Briggs — and both are attending colleges on full scholarship with the intent to study medicine.

The Columbus community can be proud of providing the