MBS Faculty and Staff Share Their Immigration Stories

On Tuesday, February 18, MBS 6th grade geography class students had a unique and powerful opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of immigration journeys from three members of the school community. Dean of Faculty Boni Luna, Administrative Assistant Ana DeMeo, and Middle School Spanish teacher Adriana Arroyave shared deeply personal stories that brought their geography studies on human migration to life.

Each speaker reflected on the “push-pull” factors that led their families to leave their homelands in search of a brighter future in the United States. Their experiences, filled with sacrifice, resilience, and hope, offered students a profound perspective on the challenges and triumphs of immigration.

Spanish teacher Adriana Arroyave, born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, painted a vivid picture of her homeland, where decades of colonization, political instability, and rising violence in the 1980s created an uncertain future. Her parents, determined to provide her with better opportunities, made the heart-wrenching decision to uproot their lives and start over in a new country. Sra. Arroyave recalled the bittersweet moment of packing all her belongings into just two suitcases—an experience that, despite its difficulty, ultimately paved the way for a new beginning. She concluded her story with a photo of her daughter’s graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, underscoring the transformational power of education and the opportunities it creates.

Ms. Luna and Ms. DeMeo shared a remarkable connection—not only did both emigrate from Cuba, but they unknowingly attended the same schools while growing up in Union City, New Jersey. Despite their parallel paths, they only met two and a half years ago when Ms. DeMeo joined MBS.

Ms. Luna, born in a small mountain village in Cuba, and Ms. DeMeo, a native of Havana, each recounted their families’ desperate desire to escape the military dictatorship that had taken hold of their homeland. Their stories were filled with moments of struggle, resilience, and hope, as they described the sacrifices their families made to secure a better future for their children.

Their words left a lasting impact, reminding students that every immigrant’s journey is a testament to courage, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of a better life.