Holly Hughes is the English Language Learner Teacher at Mary Todd Elementary School.
David Mato is the Instructional Media Teacher at Maxwell Spanish Immersion Elementary School.
A native of Spain, David was scheduled to become a U.S. citizen on March 20. Because of COVID-19, the ceremony didn’t happen. Trips that had been planned for a while also aren’t happening. And even though they are all social people, it’s been really nice to slow down and take it easy.
Their shed used to be a party shed. Now it’s their oasis.
Audio Transcript
This is Holly. I’ve lived in Lexington for 35 years.
I want to live in an America that collectively supports what we call the American ideals. Not just the convenient ones. ALL of the ideals. And not just for some of us, but for ALL of us. Justice. Equality. Representation. Rule of law. Separation of powers. Civil discourse. Freedom. Opportunity. Democracy. And, yes, even patriotism.
As a country, we shouldn’t pick and choose. We should discuss, debate, and refine, but we shouldn’t kid ourselves into thinking that it’s ok to give up on any of these ideals.
This American experiment is still new. I want to live in an America that proves the hypothesis, a country that upholds these ideals and fulfills its promise. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice, for all.