Faranha, 16-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh:

At our recent civics class in Silver Spring, Faranha liked the guest speakers most of all. A student at Montgomery Blair High School, she says that the successful immigrants who came to visit the class made her realize that there are people out there, just like her, who have created successful careers in the Unites States.

Her favorite speaker, Mr. Gustavo Gutierrez, is a staff attorney at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia and is himself the child of Mexican immigrants. "Gus" told the class that their dreams are possible, and he encouraged them to never give up on their goals. Faranha took this to heart, noting that the Liberty's Promise Civics Program made her more confident in herself and her abilities.

"These classes teach you a lot of stuff," she said. "Before I thought, 'Oh God, how do I get into college?' But now I know that people will help if you ask them."

Faranha also said that she feels "braver" because of our civics class. "You don't have to be afraid of changing things in your community if you don't like them."