Fledding from the Ukrainian war, these adolescents graduated from high school in Philadelphia.
Question: What can we cover on our website about the experiences of people who have failed to Ukraine and landed in the Philadelphia area? Let us know!
In 2022, among the estimated 10,000 Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion, Sofiya Ionina was one of the lucky few who found a home in Philadelphia. As she stands on the brink of finishing high school this year, she will graduate alongside approximately 150 other seniors from the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School. However, she won't be alone—seven Ukrainian refugees will share the stage with her, donning their caps and gowns with pride.
Three years ago, Ionina would have never imagined a war would force her into an American high school. But when she arrived in Philadelphia in August 2022, she was met with fear and uncertainty. Now, she's come to love it.
"To be honest, I want to finish school here," she said. "The school in Ukraine and here are very different. Here I like more. Different lessons and different friendships with teachers. In Ukraine, it's harder to study."
Ionina enrolled in the String Theory school, focusing her studies on graphic design, following in the footsteps of her graphic designer father and tattoo artist older brother. She plans to attend Holy Family University, conveniently located near her family's home in Northeast Philadelphia.
Whenever the war ends, Ionina doesn't see herself returning to Ukraine. "I want to go back only for my grandmother, but I'm gonna come back here again," she said. "This is home now."
The String Theory nonprofit education organization welcomed 88 Ukrainian refugees in 2022, all of whom spoke little to no English and had little more than a single bag of belongings. This school helped them secure housing, transportation, and orient them to their new city, allowing them to focus on their new lives and education in the U.S.
For many Ukrainian refugees, coming to Philadelphia was the start of a new chapter in their lives. Since her arrival, Ionina has found a love for her new home and the opportunities it offers. Ukrainian refugee Oleksandr Melenchuk, who attended his former high school in Khmelnytskyi remotely, echoed her feelings.
"I never could possibly imagine that I would be in America and graduating school here," said Melenchuk, who will walk across the stage for his second high school graduation at the Kimmel Center. "It was in my dreams just to come to America, but finishing school here and knowing English and graduating, that's really fun."
Ukrainian refugee Mykola Peredruk came to Philadelphia with his mother in 2022 and soon found a passion for 3D illustration at school. He plans to attend Penn State Abington in the fall to pursue a career as a physician's assistant, preferring to remain in Philadelphia rather than return to Ukraine.
"I have a house here. I have a lot of stuff here. I'm good here. So why should I go back?" Peredruk said.
Life in a new country can be overwhelming for any refugee, but for Ukrainians arriving in Philadelphia, the community rallied to offer help and support. Countless community centers and organizations have worked tirelessly to create a sense of home among refugees in the city, taking care of their essential needs while fostering cultural and educational opportunities.
[1] Philly.com, "Ukrainians in Philadelphia schools grappling with trauma amid crisis back home," (Accessed March 30, 2023),philly.com/education/ukrainians-in-philadelphia-schools-grappling-with-trauma-amid-crisis-back-home-20220916.html
[2] Philly.com, "Newly arrived Ukrainian refugees seek stability in Philadelphia," (Accessed March 30, 2023),philly.com/news/newly-arrived-ukrainian-refugees-seek-stability-in-philadelphia-20220927.html
[3] Philly.com, "In Philadelphia, Christian community helps Ukrainians find footing in new country," (Accessed March 30, 2023),philly.com/community/in-philadelphia-christian-community-helps-ukrainians-find-footing-in-new-country-20220403.html
[4] Philly.com, "Ukrainian refugees in Philadelphia savor new opportunities while keeping a watchful eye on their homeland," (Accessed March 30, 2023), philly.com/community/ukrainian-refugees-in-philadelphia-savor-new-opportunities-while-keeping-a-watchful-eye-on-their-homeland-20220319.html
[5] Philly.com, "Philadelphia organization launches initiative to aid Ukrainian refugees," (Accessed March 30, 2023),philly.com/neighborhoods/philadelphia-organization-launches-initiative-to-aid-ukrainian-refugees-20220308.html
[1] Our website could feature articles on the educational experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Philadelphia, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of students like Sofiya Ionina.
[2] We can cover health-and-wellness stories related to the impact of war on the mental health of these refugees, showcasing how organizations help them cope and heal.
[3] In the realm of education-and-self-development, we could write about the various programs and initiatives designed to aid Ukrainian refugees in Philadelphia, like the String Theory school.
[4] General news segments could focus on the political and societal issues faced by Ukrainian refugees as they navigate their new lives in the city, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to support them.
[5] Lastly, we could delve into personal-growth stories chronicling the emotions and transformations of Ukrainian refugees as they embrace their new home in Philadelphia, such as the experiences shared by Oleksandr Melenchuk and Mykola Peredruk.
[6] Furthermore, our website could also involve pieces on war-and-conflicts, discussing the ongoing situation in Ukraine from the perspective of Philadelphia-based Ukrainian refugees, providing a local context to global events.
