Michael Zhang

There are many benefits of multiculturalism in a community. A community like MCI is a very good example of this. Here, diverse countries are able to interact with each one another to share ideas, knowledge, experience, and of course, life-lasting friendships. "Humans of MCI" had a word with Michael, an outstanding Chinese-background student who told our blog how his life was influenced by friendships he made with the "humans" from all over the world.

  

(Michael on the bleachers with his friends during the Homecoming)

"I came to MCI in my junior year. When I first stepped onto MCI’s campus, I was deeply attracted by the charm of this school, not only because of the rarefied atmosphere of academic life but also various kinds of activities. In PE class I went canoeing with the teacher and other classmates in the lake; in music class I acquired a chance to give a piano recital to the community; in science classes, I did a number of interesting experiments in the lab…. All of these activities are ones that I have never attempted before in my country. A friend is, as it were, as second self. Although far away from home, I never feel lonely, since I make a lot of friends from all over the world. We learn different cultures from each other and have a lot of fun. It is only in the short period of one year that my teachers and friends have witnessed my growth. I love MCI!"

– Michael Zhang, Class of 2016

MCI HOMECOMING

Last weekend was fun for MCI! Want to know why? Because it was Homecoming weekend! An exciting time of the year, with a parade of different clubs & athletic teams, followed by class competitions and Friday football game. Also, on Saturday, field hockey and soccer games were played on the new MCI fields. It is especially exciting because the whole town comes to support and enjoy the times with Huskies.

Words can't explain this. But here is a glimpse of greatness you could catch through photos "Humans of MCI" blog has taken:

(Photography - Konstantin Pribylov & Maria Martinez)

Eugene Tilipman

From the beginning of new 2015-2016 school year, Maine Central Institute started to get new students from countries all around the world never before represented in our boarding high school community. Serbia is one of them, adding another unique puzzle piece to MCI's cultural diversity mosaic. One of the students from Serbia told our blog about what our school has prepared for him in terms of new experiences.

    (Eugene holding huskies)

"This is my first year as an MCI student, and I'm a senior. For me this is a great opportunity to come to study in U.S. I have a lot of new friends from all around the world as well as some locals. The academic program is interesting. What I like the most that homework can actually have a good influence on your grades. So, it gives you more chance to succeed. Back home, in Serbia, you could only get an F for not bringing your homework to school. But here it's different. As for athletics, I've always enjoyed doing sports in my spare time. I played basketball but I've never played American football before. New places – new experiences, I guess. I'm officially a member of MCI Huskies football team. One the greatest football teams in Maine! And, it's a lot of fun to be a part of it."

– Eugene Tilipman, Class of 2016

(Eugene at Big Bill's)

River Massey

As in every high school, we have really diverse people with amazing talents.  River, originally from Bozeman, MT, who has chosen to be a musical producer for his path in life, recently was accepted at the Art Institute of California!  River shared with our blog a story, about how his music has been influenced by his high school friendships:

                           (River with his friend Gabriel Estrella working in the studio)

"When I first started producing I was really into the hype and glamor more so than the actual music. I think that's why I made EDM: it was all skin deep, no meaning, just sounds on top of each other. I actually was more infatuated with DJing and being famous or popular or something. I eventually found that I didn't care much for popularity and I think that came with maturity. Josh Figuereo really got me onto hip-hop production. I've always loved rap and the whole scene but I felt out of place, something about appropriating a previously "black" genre. Maybe that's what the first white blues and jazz guys felt like. Maybe a piece of it is living in a small-town, but who knows. More and more I'm discovering that I can make music fairly well via my keyboard, drum pad, and software. But unfortunately alongside that discovery I feel like I'm cheating. I can barely play an instrument and I struggle with the commitment that it takes, yet here I am producing rap beats for some pretty talented folks. But hey, I'm working on it."

- River Massey, Class of 2015

Scott Giallombardo

All of us, once in a lifetime graduate, and ussually remember for the rest of their life. High school is not just a place you study in, it is a place where an individual builds character. Mr. Giallombardo, now our Academic Counselor, graduated from MCI fifteen years ago and told our blog about what he went through to shape as individual he is now:

"As an adult, ​I have been fortunate enough to be part of the school and community that I grew up in​, a place that has given me so many opportunities in and out of the classroom. Between the friendships that I developed as a high school student, to the close ​bonds that I've established within the community, and finally to the opportunity of helping ​students recognize their potential​,​ ​it ​has been an amazing experience. Like any student leaving high school, I was tempted to begin my college search as far away ​from Pittsfield as possible. While the thought ​of mov​ing ​far away was intriguing, I knew that my place was close to family and helping those within the community that shaped my life. When I think back to my time ​as a student at MCI, I think about the ​familial atmosphere that existed within the walls of our campus​; it still does today, with​ the amount of ​guidance and ​support that is given by our faculty and staff. ​In this atmosphere I learned what it was to give back to others, and hope I carry on those traditions as well as my high school teachers​,​ counselors​,​ and coaches​ did back then​.

​One of those special adults was ​Ms. Shorey​. She​ was my 12th grade English teacher (it was her first year at MCI!), and while I admit that I struggled in her class at times, it was through her patient guidance and support that I became a successful college student, and had the tools necessary to do well at that level. Now, I am lucky to call Ms. Shorey a friend, and happy to have worked alongside her through our years at MCI. Many people do not truly know what they have at MCI, and like me, it took trying to find a way to distance myself from it to realize just how special it ​truly is.

Now I find myself as the luckiest person imaginable with a beautiful wife,​​ a family, and a place that I can always call 'home"​

- Scott Giallombardo, Class of 2000

                              (Mr. Giallombardo with his spouse Mrs. Giallombardo)

Irina Zhikharevich

Maine Central Institute is known for their diverse students and experiences. Our next story is about a dorm citizen from Moscow, Russia who lives in Alumni Hall. Irina told the Humans of MCI blog how her experience in our community is sincerely unique for her:

"Studying in the United States has had a great impact on me and my views on life.  I can say with the same great confidence that it has impacted me only in a good way and has given me different experiences. I saw an American football game for the first time in my life. In Russia we have soccer called football, which became my second favorite sport to watch after I experienced an American football game live at MCI. I'd never done track before I came here. Sports and activities, combined with dorm life gave me opportunities to make friends from different countries and obviously from various states across America. I'm improving my English skills not only during classes at school, but also in my free time when I hang out with friends, generally combining business with pleasure. I am very lucky to be able to study in the United States. I'm so glad my parents gave me the opportunity to study at MCI."

                                             - Irina Zhikharevich, Class of 2016

                               

                                 (Sophie Flynn's photo)                                                            

                                                                                                                    (Irina Zhikharevich's photo)

Joshua Figuereo

            

This is our first story: the experience of a MCI dorm student that came from Lawrence, MA to study. 

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"When I was in middle school I didn't know where I would be going for high school, nor did I think I would be going anywhere, as not many people from Lawrence did. When I got the acceptance letter from Maine Central Institute in the mail, it felt surreal. I didn't feel like just another kid from my city anymore. I knew I had a lot ahead of me from that point on. I've been introduced to a new life, and one that I was not accustomed to. Everything is so different, culturally and aesthetically. Being at MCI has brought me a new set of challenges that I feel are necessary to tackle the world beyond a city or hometown, and I love it.”

                                                     - Joshua Figuereo, Class of 2016

 

      (Irina Zhikarevich's photo)                             (Hjalte Christiansen's photo)

"Hello, Humans of MCI!"

Hello everyone!

This is Humans of MCI!

We are a blog focused on interviewing citizens in our big community at Maine Central Institute.  This blog is created under the leadership of the Student Ambassador Club.

Every post is a unique story, just as unique as the individuals at MCI. The stories aren’t necessarily about our high school, but about a community member’s life experience. In our community, we believe that everybody is an open book who has a story to tell and this could be a good opportunity for you, readers, to get to know each of them.

Beginning this week, and updating every Wednesday, the Humans of MCI experience begins.

Sincerely yours,

The editor