Blerta Isak
Myself Third Spirit of New York 2003 Scholarship Winner
Fort Hamilton High School
Kingsborough Community College
"As educators, we are all too often unaware of the hardships endured by many of our students or the courage they have shown in the face of adversity. A little over a year ago, Blerta and her family immigrated to the United States from Albania to escape the deprivations caused by civil unrest, economic collapse, and political corruption. Suddenly, the life she had known and loved was gone. Immediately after arriving in the United States, Blerta began the process of reclaiming everything she had lost. Since the beginning of the semester, I have known Blerta to be a bright, reliable, efficient and trustworthy assistant, cheerfully completing whatever task I assign to her and always taking the initiative to do more. All of her teachers agree that she is an independent thinker who possesses a keen, analytical mind and the skills necessary to engage in individual research and participate in lively classroom discussions."
—Joann Porto, College Counselor
Work, Volunteer, and Extra-Curricular Activities
- Volunteer, The Sisters of Mother Theresa
- Volunteer, PS 126 in Brooklyn
- Volunteer, Kindergarten
- Class President, Albanian School Leadership
- Part-time job
Excerpts from Blerta's Essay
"I have all eternity to rest and there is so much still to do. Life is not worth living unless it is lived for others." (Mother Teresa, 1990) Taking pride in what you do doesn't necessarily have to do with how many figures are in your salary or how big and luxurious your office is; it has to do with the values with which you fill yourself and your life. My bond to this country is not as strong as it could be because I have been here for only one year, but I feel the tragedy and the heavy burden of the tears shed by the city of New York, especially since I lived through war in Albania. Despite this fact and guided by the courage of people around me, I have made myself contribute and strengthened the bond by helping the future of this country, the children.
What started as a requirement in my government class turned out to be one of my most gratifying and rewarding experiences ever. Volunteering in an after school program in an elementary school might seem humble to most people, but to me, it was not and it is not.
I sit with students for two hours, three days a week, and believe it or not, they help me learn as much as I help them. The passion that they put into what they do is amazing. When I call on them, they sometimes answer as if they are not sure. That feeling of insecurity makes me try harder to help these youngsters to obtain the self-confidence that they are lacking. We read books together so that they can develop their vocabulary and become better able to speak their mind. They work individually on some material, and then, we discuss it together. When they leave, they all wave, call my name and ask me if I am going to be there for the next session. When I say yes, their eyes light up, and they leave with a smile on their faces.
Volunteering in this after school program has helped me get closer to this nation because I am contributing to its future; it has also made me feel satisfied and proud of what I have accomplished so far.
