LYNN — In a celebration filled with storytelling, resilience, and cultural pride, Lynn English High School hosted its annual Living in Two Worlds showcase this week, inviting the community to witness the personal journeys of students navigating life between cultures.
The evening opened with remarks from program coordinator Ginny Keenan, who described the showcase as “a space for student voices — especially those who have had to grow up fast.” She urged the audience to listen with compassion and reflect on the stories being shared: “You might think you understand someone by seeing them every day, but you don’t know what they’ve been through until you hear them speak their truth.”
The LEHS Concert Choir followed with a performance of Pavane by Thoinot Arbeau, directed by Mr. Jorge Ibanez. The choir’s harmonies set a reflective tone for the powerful testimonies to come.
The program featured two centerpiece exhibits: a hallway photo installation spotlighting eight students and twelve video presentations shown in the auditorium. All photography and videography were produced by LEHS paraprofessional Brian Carlson, with editing handled by Jade Brewer.
Carlson, now in his third year working with Living in Two Worlds, said the stories students share continue to shift his understanding of what many of them carry.
“You hear what these students have gone through — war, poverty, separation — and you realize how much we take for granted,” Carlson said. “It’s made me stop complaining about the little things. The stories help put everything into perspective.”
He described the process of documenting the students’ journeys as both humbling and inspiring.
“At first, a lot of the kids are nervous — they don’t want to be on camera, or they think they won’t come across well,” he said. “But then they start talking, and there’s this moment where it clicks. Suddenly, they’re proud. Suddenly, it becomes their story, their voice. And when it plays in front of a crowd, you can see it on their faces — that sense of being seen.”
The stories addressed themes of identity, belonging, and the emotional weight of transition. Many students spoke of arriving in the United States not knowing English, missing family members left behind, and learning to adapt while trying not to lose who they were. For some, Living in Two Worlds became a bridge between silence and self-expression.
Paul Mailloux, a Lynn English teacher of 32 years and lifelong Lynn resident, said the event remains one of the most emotionally resonant of the school year.
“Some of the stories are so powerful, I’ve actually had to step out of the auditorium,” Mailloux said. “We don’t always know what our students carry with them when they come into class. This is where we learn.”
Junior Rayan T., who serves as a student mentor in the program, said his own experience making a video last year helped him find his voice — and this year, he focused on helping others do the same.
“A lot of students just arrived in the country, and this is the first time they get to be heard,” he said. “This program helps people open up. You learn about your culture, and then you learn about everyone else’s too.”
Jenny P. and Geysel A., both featured in this year’s presentation, said the program helped them feel less alone.
“It brought us together,” Geysel said. “We come from different countries, but we have more in common than we think.”
“I didn’t expect to share my story,” said Jenny. “But I did — and I’m glad I did. I found people who understood.”
For Carlson, that’s what keeps him coming back.
“These students are brave,” he said. “They’re not just telling stories — they’re opening doors for others.”
