Andy Bronson / The Herald                                Cedarcrest Middle School students Anthony Najera (left) and Joaquin Vidal point at the screen Friday after seeing Filipino students, whose portraits they drew for Memory Project. Students from the Marysville school watched a video showing the Filipino students’ reactions to the Cedarcrest students’ portraits.

Andy Bronson / The Herald Cedarcrest Middle School students Anthony Najera (left) and Joaquin Vidal point at the screen Friday after seeing Filipino students, whose portraits they drew for Memory Project. Students from the Marysville school watched a video showing the Filipino students’ reactions to the Cedarcrest students’ portraits.

With an immigrant’s help, kids reach out to Filipino children

Marysville students drew and sent portraits. Thanks to a video, they got to see the reaction.

MARYSVILLE — Chona Dormaier pounded the clay, molding it into a bowl over the round stone below. She formed a separate doughnut shape and smoothed it onto the bowl, creating a base, then used a rag to expertly polish the wet gray clay until it gained a glossy shine.

Growing up in the Philippines, she learned to make clay flower pots to sell for food money. She could make several hundred a day, working from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m., she said.

She started making the pots when she was 12, the same age as the sixth-grade students at Cedarcrest Middle School she spoke with Friday morning.

The 24 students were part of an art project led by Laurie Shriver, who began teaching at Cedarcrest this year after moving from Philadelphia. She worked with about 150 sixth, seventh and eighth graders to draw portraits of children in the Philippines. Through the nonprofit Memory Project, those portraits were sent to the Philippines as keepsakes for the children and a way to show them that people care.

Shriver wanted to build pride and identity through creativity, she said in an email. She looks for projects that can help students understand other cultures, and show them how young people around the world are resilient in the face of hardship.

Shriver surprised the students Friday with a video from the Memory Project. It showed Filipino children receiving their portraits, from Cedarcrest and other schools around the country.

After watching, the students dug into plates of lumpia and pancit bihon, traditional dishes from the Philippines. Dormaier made the food, and answered questions about her homeland while students ate. Then she demonstrated how to make a flower pot.

Dormaier is the head custodian at Cedarcrest. Having someone on campus who can share first-hand knowledge of the Philippines adds so much to the Memory Project, Shriver said. Students asked about holidays, religion and food.

Families there usually are focused on what and how they will eat each day, Dormaier said. It’s hard to look toward the future. But through any hardship, they help one another.

“Filipino tradition is supporting your family,” she explained. “We live together, we stay together, we are always together.”

Cynthia Birrueta, 12, and Evelyn Trevino, 11, said the Memory Project taught them there are a lot of kids out there who don’t have much.

“You can make them smile with the simplest things,” Evelyn said.

Among the crowds of Filipino children in the video, Cynthia caught a glimpse of the little girl she drew. Each student worked from a photo of their subject.

“I was waiting to see her,” Cynthia said. “When I saw her, I kind of jumped up a little.”

Shriver hopes to have her classes participate in the Memory Project again. The next one is for Puerto Rico, she said.

Dormaier is glad to see students expanding their view of the world.

She met her husband online and moved to the U.S. in 2004. She sends money back to the Philippines each month for food and medicine. Her 80-year-old mother struggles with heart problems.

“I’m so glad I came here because I have a good job, I can support my family,” she told the students Friday. “I’m so glad to be here with you.”

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.