Graduations

By ELIZABETH VALENTIN Arts Editor

The daughter of immigrant parents paves her way in America as she ventures off to Emory Law School. Maria Henain, 21, was born in Chicago, IL to Egyptian parents.

Part of her heritage and Egyptian culture makes her connection to her religion a strong part of who she is. She explains that she has strong cultural ties to her Catholic Orthodox church.

Henain also explains that she has an appreciation for the Egyptian-American community. Part of this appreciation comes from her experience with Egyptians who already live in America helping those who have recently immigrated here.

Aside from her strong connection to her Egyptian culture, Henain also feels a strong bond with her family. Her family is fluent in Arabic and she is not, although she is able to understand some words and phrases. This creates a small barrier between them sometimes, but despite this, she embraces both her Egyptian and American cultures.

“I’ve found myself immersed in both cultures,” said Henain.

Her older brother, Joe Henain, who was born in Saudi Arabia, is graduating this year as well. He is receiving his medical degree from Albany Medical College. He also matched for residency at Emory. This became something

LGBTQ+ community.

“We are Identity,” she said. “I want Identity to be known in a positive way.”

Originally from Sherborne, New York, Palmer will walk across the stage at commencement to receive her bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and Special Education and a master’s degree in Literacy.

Upon attending an open house at the College before beginning her freshman year, Palmer was greeted by people opening doors for her and her mother when they arrived at the Thelma P. Lally School of