Ukrainian student, Tanya Lazorko, beams at the camera.
A Ukranian girl is one of the students who entered the doors of NHS for the first time this school year.
A plane took off from an airport in Ukraine and brought a young and brave lady to Neenah on Aug. 28. Tatyana, commonly called Tanya, Lazorko is hosted by Ted and Karen Fellner. Their children are grown up, and Lazorko is enjoying life with the nice couple. She is fully engaged in school and clubs.
Lazorko is a junior. Before arriving in America she dreamed about how life would be over the ocean. Lazorko shared dreams of joy, parties and tons of pizza every day. But everyday life is different in America than she expected. Homework, unexpected extracurricular activities and dance practices keep her busy from early morning until night. Nevertheless, she keeps herself strong and participates in all activities.
“It helps me to avoid missing my family back in Ukraine,” Lazorko said. She flashed a broad smile as she also recalled two big dogs, her adorable pets, Marusia and Dickson.
Lazorko said in her free time she reads books and runs. Her running skills help her to be on time to all her classes at NHS. The school she studied at in Ukraine is different from NHS. Lazorko could not choose the subjects she studied, and she stayed with the same classmates from the first grade up to the 11th grade. Even though she had to change classrooms every lesson, she walked slowly talking to her friends, and at her new school she feels as if she is an Olympic runner. The pop culture reference: “Run, Forest, run!” makes her laugh because she can relate to the speed of America.
The tastiest food Lazorko has tasted here are American pancakes cooked by her host-mom. Sweet syrup and a couple of pancakes every morning keep her positive and give her energy for the busy school day.
The exchange student has already experienced the school football games and watched the band play between periods. The girl’s eyes were sparkling as she shared feelings of how it was to cheer for the Neenah football team. Lazorko is eagerly looking forward to going to the next game, accompanied by her new friends she has made in the short period of time she has been here.
Besides cheering for the sports teams, the dance team in which she participates gives her opportunities to watch the game from the opposite side of bleachers. Lazorko has already danced during the game and can hardly describe everything she felt except the sense of incredible pride to be part of the school.
This Ukranian girl’s American year has just started, but she has already experienced many things that will stay in her memory forever. Full of happiness, Lazorko fixed her hair, smiled and said everyday turns into a journey as she gets up in the morning ready for new adventures!
