Jihane Haddou

she spoke earlier today at her graduation
from Yorktown High School
in Arlington, Virginia;
she was at the podium,
on the stage of D.A.R. Constitution Hall
in Washington, DC;
only 18, but so eloquent
in her praise of an America
that offers opportunity to all;
she arrived in Arlington
in June 2006, from North Africa,
and spoke only Arabic and French;
in the fall of 2006,
she enrolled as a freshman;
her moving address today
was delivered
in perfect English;
and that, in the true sense of the words,
is remarkable
and incredible.



June 24, 2010.

Copyright © 2010, Ricky A. Pursley. All rights reserved.