Schools

Hard Work Brought Polish Immigrant to Top Of Berlin High Class

She learned to speak English fluently in elementary school.

Zaneta Subernat, the daughter of Anna and Roman Subernat, came to the United States when she was three-years-old. 

She learned to speak English while going to elementary school in New Britain. 

Now she is the Salutatorian for the Berlin High School Class of 2013.

"Polish is my first language," she said. "It was hard when I was learning English but they are both equal right now. It took some time but by the time I was in eighth grade I was valedictorian of the school in New Britain."

Subernat will join her older sister, Natalia, back in Poland in the fall and attend the Krakow University of Economics. 

"Well first, it is much less expensive to go to school there than here in the United States," she said. "The biggest thing though is to go back and go to school with my sister. We are pretty tight."

Subernat said there are many things she will miss about Berlin High School but having to give a speech at graduation on Sunday at Welte Hall on the campus of Central Connecticut will not be one of them.

"I am not the kind of person who liked the attention," she said. "I have my speech done but I'm not to keen on public speaking.

"I will miss mostly my friends and the things you do for the first time when you are in high school. Like the Proms and dances but also just things you do with your friends, the little things. 


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