Anneury, 18 years old, 12th grade, Originally from the DR, International High School of Prospect Heights

Anneury describes himself as outgoing, a risk-taker and a leader. He came to the USA in 2001 and has always given groups all his attention to solve problems as a peacekeeper. He used to live in a low income urban neighborhood of the Dominican Republic and is most interested in becoming a zoologist, marine biologist or a veterinarian. He is a natural helper, and as described by his math teacher, Anneury is “willing to help others whenever he can, is respectful of other’s opinions, yet unhesitant to offer his own opinions”.

Anneury is very focused academically. Last year he received the junior class scholastic award in Biology. Anneury also finds time to be a star player in the championship baseball school team. The challenge he sees in his neighborhood is gang violence and he would wish to fix this through raising awareness about the dangers of joining gangs by cooperating with the community and the police. Anneury sees potential as meaning that “I can do it, I can become what I want, grow, learn and understand other people, basically achieve my goals”.

Anneury says that “one or the main reason why I am on this program is because I want to get more knowledge about my own culture and to become more experienced about my own culture and to become more experience with being able to communicate with others, and share with them too. I want to try something new, and GP is going to give me the chance to do that. Out of GP I will like to get more experience in the field of conservation of habitats and learn more about other people’s lives in DR.”