Standout Student: Park Center’s Bai Jassy
It can be uneasy moving to a foreign place with a different language and culture.
That’s what high school senior Bai Jassy did, in hopes of a better future.
Two years ago Jassy migrated from Africa.
“When I came it was a big change for me because where I’m from, we don’t speak English,” Jassy said.
He said his first 3 months in the country was hard because he couldn’t communicate with anyone.
During Jassy’s second year in America, teachers were shocked with his progress.
“His English progressed rapidly at that point, so we had to move him onto another higher English Language class,” said Park Center High School teacher Elisha Tamura.
Jassy said listening helped him become more fluent in English. Critical thinking and determination also got him ahead.
“By the second year, I’m finally discovering, wait a minute this kid came to the country, no English whatsoever and he’s already in my AP U.S. history course?” said Nancy Ziemer, a Park Center High School teacher.
An interest in helping others
Overall, Jassy does well in all his classes, but his passion is in health and medicine.
His interest in helping others stem from summer visits with his mom during his childhood in Africa.
“She had a medical kit box, so in her neighborhood if anyone was injured or something, I was the one to call to go help out,” he said.
Jassy stepped out of his comfort zone to pursue his dream in America. Now, he lives with his dad here locally.
“He came here the year I was born, I remember the first time seeing him was when I was 17, I think. He came to Africa,” Jassy explained.
“It was definitely a village that raised him and he carries that with him every day,” said Tamura.
Jassy said he never felt the absence of his parents because he was surrounded by people who loved him.
And it’s those supporters at home that reminds Jassy to stay determined.
“He’s going to be successful in whatever he does,” said Ziemer.
To learn more about Park Center High School, click here.
Park Center Senior High School
