The Academy for New Americans - Class of 2016
Learn more about the inaugural class and participants of the 2016 class:
Speciose Nyiramana (Spe-sea-o-se Nee-ra-ma-na)
Ms. Nyiramana is originally from Rwanda and came to the United States six years ago and has been in Bowling Green, Kentucky for one year. She speaks three languages, French, Kinyarwanda and Kirundi. Currently, Ms. Nyiramana works as English as Second Language Instructional Assistant at Warren Central High School. This position enables her to work closely with refugee students and their parents. Ms. Nyiramana is actively involved with her community as a French, Kinyarwanda and Kirundi interpreter and is a leader of Best of Africa group where she teaches youth traditional dances with the aim of retaining cultures of their countries of origin even as they learn new ones in the host country. She hopes to obtain leadership skills from her participation in the Academy.
M’Munga Ramadhani (MOON-ga Ra-ma-Donny)
Mr. Ramadhani came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo five years ago. He has lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky since then. He speaks Swahili, French, and English. He works with Macy’s Logistics and Operations in the picking and restocking division. Mr. Ramadhani is in a leadership position within his community. From 2001-2010, he worked as a coach with the International Right to play Canada in helping refugee’s camp sports and games. Currently, he is working with ARIKY (Association of Rescue and Intervention of Kentucky) as their Secretary. He feels that the Academy will be a good training venue for leadership skills. Mr. Ramadhani has served in the City’s International Communities Advisory Council since its inception in 2012.
Lwe Htoo (Luway Too)
Mr. Htoo came to Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2007 from Burma. He speaks the Karen Languages and English. He works with Macy’s Logistics and Operations as a Fork lift driver. He is also involved with the Karen community and is has been a member of City’s International Communities Advisory Council since its inception in 2013. He hopes to learn more about City government services from the Academy.
Khin Maung Nyunt (Kin Mong Knee-unt)
Mr. Nyunt is from Burma and moved to the United States eleven years ago. Mr. Nyunt speaks Burmese, Thai, and English. Mr. Nyunt is a Foster Grandparent with Community Action of Southern Kentucky’s Foster Grandparents Program. In this position, he takes care of kids needing assistance in learning, developing good conduct, discipline and team-work. He is also actively involved with the Burmese community as the patron of the Burmese Community in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He hopes the Academy will educate him on the workings of the City of Bowling Green so that he can be more helpful to his community. Mr. Nyunt has served in the City’s International Communities Advisory Council since its inception in 2012.
Ku Aye (Coo A)
Ms Aye is originally from Burma. She moved to the United States about seven and half years ago and has lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky about six years. Ms. Aye speaks Karen and English and is currently a full-time student. Her community involvement is mostly service to both her church and community friends as a resource and contact person, interpreter, and also assists in making telephone calls, taking people to appointments and assisting with other paperwork. Ms. Aye hopes to learn more about the United States of America and hopes this will set a good example of the importance of learning to her children.
Aye Thein (A Tin)
Mr. Thein came from Burma in 2007 and has lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky ever since. He speaks the Karen Languages and English. He works with the Perdue Farms in the Shipping Department. He is involved with the Karen community in Bowling Green. The Academy of New Americans will educate him deeply on the workings of the City Government.
Ruth Nelson (Ruth Nelson)
Ms. Nelson is from Peru and speaks Spanish and English. She moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky three years ago. She works with the Med Care Pharmacy as a pharmacy Technician. Currently Ms. Nelson is not actively involved in community roles. She hopes to learn about the culture and government organization.
Ghung Om (Gong Om)
Mr. Om is from Burma and moved to the United States four years ago. He has lived in the City of Bowling Green for one year. Mr. Om speaks Chin (Mindat) and English. Mr. Om currently works with BG Metalforming (MAGNA) as a lift truck operator. His community engagement and leadership role involves interpreting English into Burmese/Myanmar to new associates at his place of employment to understand company’s safety, and other policies and procedures. Mr. Om hopes to learn more about American laws and also develop leadership skills from the training.
Joseph Kam Khai (Joseph Cam Ki)
Mr. Khai is from Burma and moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky six years ago. He works at Trace Die Cast as a Quality Inspector. Since moving to Bowling Green, Mr. Khai has been involved with the Burmese community where he leads over 350 of them. He is also a National Youth Coordinator of the National Conference of Burmese-American Catholics. Mr. Khai has also led the Zo Community for four years. He hopes to sharpen leadership skills which will enable him to be more useful in the community engagements.
Nwe Htwe (Nu-way Tway)
Ms. Htwe came from Burma eight years ago and has lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky for five years. She works with Macy’s Logistic and Operations in the Beauty Department as an Associate. Her duties involve picking, packing, and promotion among others. Her community service involves interpreting English to Burmese to people who are not conversant with English. She also teaches Burmese language and culture to Burmese children. Ms. Htwe hopes to learn more about American culture so that she can be of help to new Americans as the resettle in the United States.
Dim Nuam (Dim Nu-OM)
Ms. Nuam is originally from Burma. She moved to the United States six years ago and has live in Bowling Green over five years. She is currently attending civic class in Warren County Adult Education Center. She serves as a contract interpreter with ELT cultural orientation at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College for new Burmese and Zomi refugees. Ms. Nuam hopes to learn the working of the City government and also get leadership skills.
Claudia Manriquez (Clow-DI-A Man-REEK-ez)
Ms. Manriquez came from Chile about eleven years ago, and has been living in Bowling Green ever since. She does not have formal employment but does the excellent job of stay-at-home mom to four beautiful children. She has been involved in various civic/community activities since she moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Ms. Manriquez anticipates personal growth as she participates in the Academy and hopes she will get a job working with immigrants.
Sonia DeGroot (Sone-ya De-Groot)
Ms. DeGroot is originally from Colombia. She has resided in the United States for 18 years, six of those in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Ms. DeGroot works with Bowling Green Independent Schools as an English teacher. Her community participation involves working with students and their families. Ms. DeGroot also serves in the City’s International Communities Advisory Council since its inception. Ms. DeGroot hopes to get more information on institutions that help immigrants in the City of Bowling Green.
April Memeh (April Me-May)
Ms. Memeh is originally from Burma and moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky six years ago. She works with the Warren County Public Schools as a Karenni and Burmese Interpreter and Translator. Ms. Memeh is a member of the International Communities Advisory Council. She is also involved in her church, Greenwood Park Church of Christ. She is also a Certified Medical Interpreter with Bridging the Gap. She hopes to learn more about the U.S. Government in order to help the Karenni people and other immigrants.
Omega Anzuruni (O-may-ga An-za-ru-nee)
Mr. Anzuruni came from the Democratic Republic of Congo four years ago, he speaks Swahili and English. He is currently working with Macy’s in looking for missing orders and translating. Mr. Anzuruni is involved with ARIKY (Association of Rescue and Intervention of Kentucky), a non-profit organization that helps new Americans with transportation, and helping to manage other needs. He hopes the Academy will educate him in starting life afresh in the United States not only for himself but other new Americans he relates with.
Ana Maria Sancristoful (Ah-na Maria San-cris-TOE-full)
Ms. Sancristoful is originally from Chile, but moved from Canada to Bowling Green about two and half years ago. Ms. Sancristoful has a Dental Degree and practiced as a dentist in her native Chile. She speaks three languages, Spanish, French, and English and is a Certified Medical Interpreter with Bridging the Gap. Currently she is not formally employed but does volunteer work at her daughters’ school. She hopes the Academy will educate her with information relevant to immigrant population that she can share with them.
Dr. Sonia Lenk (Sone-ya Lank)
Dr. Lenk has been in the United States for 21 years. She is a Canadian-born raised in Ecuador. She has lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky for eleven years. Ms. Lenk speaks three languages, Spanish, French, and English. Ms. Lenk is a Spanish Professor with the Department of Modern Languages at Western Kentucky University. As a university professor, she has created, directed and taught different service learning course/programs/projects. She hopes to learn more about services and resources available in the City and also build leadership capacity to better service the student community.
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