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F RIENDS
Side by Side: Sam + B.K. B.K., an effusive seventh grader from Seoul, Korea, doesn’t let language barriers limit his friendships. When Sam, a reserved eighth grade hockey player from Massachusetts, arrived mid-year and joined his house, B.K.’s infectious sense of humor soon drew Sam out of his shell. Sam’s evolving participation, confidence and maturity gained the notice of all his teachers, across subjects from French to Algebra. The once-shy student proved himself a leader, and was named a ninth grade proctor. Befriending B.K. piqued Sam’s interest in how others live around the world. The boys have come to appreciate their commonalities, as well as their cultural differences. By overturning the usual dynamic between a domestic student and an international one, putting an American at ease in a new setting, B.K. embodied the adaptability and empathy we hope to see in all Hillside students.
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