WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsEssay wins unique student Packers tickets
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By Heather Sawaski
MERRILL (WAOW) -- Moving to an unfamiliar place can be tough for a lot of people. Especially if it means leaving behind everything you've ever known. But that's exactly what one local student did when he was adopted from a Russian orphanage by a Merrill couple last year. And it's his experiences learning and adapting to his new home that recently won him a coveted prize here in Wisconsin.
The sidelines of Lambeau Field. That's where Merrill 7th Grader Johnny Weber and his family got to spend most of Monday Night's Packers-Ravens game. And it's all thanks to time he's spent in the classroom. Johnny won the tickets by taking top honors in a statewide essay contest last month. He answered the question, "What Does Education Mean To Me?" And he's had plenty to draw from.
"It's been really good," Johnny said. "I made a lot of friends and I learn a lot more. I like school."
In June 2008, Johnny was adopted out of a Russian orphanage by Brenda Weber and her husband Rick.
"We considered John a member of our family since the moment we met him," Brenda said.
He knew very little English and was first home-schooled by Brenda. Johnny now attends Prairie River Middle School. And when his English teacher assigned the essay, he says he instantly knew he would write about his journey to America.
In the essay, Johnny explains Russian Court, when his new parents were finalizing the adoption.
His essay reads: "My mom said in Russian, Sasha which was my Russian name, 'will receive a loving and good home.' There were tears in my mom's eyes again."
"When he learned about the Wisconsin lottery and Supercash and all these other opportunities to win a lot of money," explained Brenda. "I often told him that he won the lottery when he came to America because then he just has so many opportunities to become who he's supposed to be. And who that is, well he's on a pretty good track already!"
Johnny is already an honor student and says his mom has taught him the value of a good education. That's something other students who haven't walked in his shoes may not yet know.
"All these years in school," Johnny said. "It depends on how I'm going to do in my life. If I do well, I'm going to have a good life."
Johnny's teachers say he brings something special with him to class each day. They say he's constantly sharing stories and experiences of his time back in Russia, which helps his classmates learn about different cultures.
