Senior Stories as told by the students of Antonia Pantoja Preparatory Academy

1. The Seniors of
Mechler Hall
Senior stories as told by the students of
Antonia Pantoja Preperatory Academy

3. Cover Art Credits
Front Cover: Gloria Akinola, SylviaAmoah, Alyssa Campos, Philip Kumi, Amy
Parchment
Front Inner Cover: Kemely Abreu
Credits Page Background: Christopher DelaCruz
Title Page Background: Angelica Miranda
Back Inner Cover: Angelica Miranda
Back Cover: Xochilt Ruiz
The Seniors of
Mechler Hall
Senior stories as told by the students of
Antonia Pantoja Preperatory Academy
Written and Illustrated Collaboratively by: Kemely Abreu, Gloria Akinola, Sylvia
Amoah, Alyssa Campos, Christopher DelaCruz, Amna Khan, Philip Kumi, Evelyn Mafla,
Angelica Miranda, Amy Parchment, Xochilt Ruiz
Edited by: Elenore Elena Zúñiga
This publication was made possible by:
A Cultural Immirgrant Initiative grant from the NYC Department of
Cultural Affairs, given to the Bronx River Art Center by Councilwoman
Annabel Palma to work in Coummunity District 18 with high school
students at the Antonia Pantoja Preparatory Academy.
Special thanks to: Principal Nalini Singh, Alma Aviles, and all
supporting staff at Antonia Pantoja Preparatory Academy

4. He came to the
United States at the
age of 21. He didn’t
finish high school, he
ended in the 9th grade,
and his first job
was at a bank.
We were nervous when
we got down from the
bus, but when we met the
seniors they were very
nice.
He had two wives, but
they died. He has six
children, seventeen
grandchildren
and three great
grandchildren.
We met an old man called Juan, he was from Puerto Rico. A
lady who helped take care of him told us he had memory loss,
but this is what he was able to remember.
Gloria Akinola, Sylvia Amoah
Today we went to the senior
center to talk to older
people about their stories.
Gloria Akinola, Sylvia Amoah

5. The lady who helped care for
Juan was very nice and gave
us some advice. She told us
that education comes first and
that no matter what do not
give up.
In my country, Ghana, you cant
go to the senior center and talk to
people. They wont understand why
you want to know about their past.
I liked how much the old people
welcomed us at the senior center
and answered our questions and
gave us advice.
He feels happy when his children and
grandchildren are around him. He likes dancing,
exercising, and eating rice and chicken.
Gloria Akinola, Sylvia Amoah
Sylvia Amoah
Gloria Akinola

6. Tony is an 84 year old man.
He is most proud of living to be
84 and joining the US. Airforce.
He was born and raised in the
Bronx.
He says he was raised in a bad neighborhood,
that there were a lot of bad influences on the
street. Once he started hanging out with these
people, it affected his education. He was the
best athelete, but “not the brightest crayon in
the box” when it came to education.
I asked him what color he was in the crayon
box and he said “brown.”
Alyssa Campos Amna Khan Amna Khan

7. Going to the senior
center helped me realize
more about life and
what I can do in life to
be successful. Tony told
me to get my education,
because that’s what’s
going to be there at the
end of the day, not the
people you’re hanging
around.
Tony gave his five children the best
education he could find. He’s a very
funny guy and has a passion for art.
He said he was a popular kid in
high school and I asked him if
he was a lady’s man and he said
“yeah that’s, why I have this cane,
to keep the all ladies away!”
His one wish was to gain his
health and youth back. The
one piece of advice he would
give to the younger self
would be to get his education.
Amna Khan Amna Khan

8. At the senior center I met Milgros
Rodriguez, she is from Puerto Rico,
but she was raised in the Bronx.
Her favorite colors are
purple and brown.
She advised me to go to school,
further my education and have a
better life. She also advised me as
youth to be happy, optimistic, and
always confident.
She is 83 years old and has lived
in the Bronx since the 1950s.
Her aim in high school was to get a diploma and go to
college to become a nurse. She could not achieve her
aim due to financial problems and life challenges. She is
always happy when friends and family cisit her at the
seinior center. She has two sisters and seven brothers,
some are living in the U.S, some are I Puerto Rico, and
some passed away.
She has two children and three
grandchildren. Her children are
called Prince and Princess. Her
husband passed away at the age
of 64 years old, he was a teacher.
She has lived with her children
since her husband passed away.
Philip KumiPhilip Kumi

9. Antakur
Antakur, has a great sense of humor.
She was born on January 18, the same week I was born only 6 days apart.
She says she’s 92 ½ year old and not afraid to have fun.
She seems like a happy person, and it’s amazing to hear that she 2 kids, 4
grandkids, and 2 great grandkids.
She gives good tips about boys like
“Don’t kiss on the first day” and
“Make him work for it”
All of the tips that she gave me I will us in my future.
Today in her life she is happy to be with her 7 cats.
Antakur made me realized that you shouldn’t stress life as much and do
what make you happy.
Also never leave your education behind and keep on going to school.
Kemely Abreu Kemely Abreu

10. Maria Aponte describes herself as a very independent and de-
pendable person. She came to the United States at the age of 18.
From the moment Maria stepped onto the U.S. ground, she went
straight to working.
At first it wasn’t easy to get a stable job, til she went to work at
a department store. She lasted a very long time working there
and eventually became a manager. Her biggest struggle coming
to the United States was learning English. She told us to stay in
school and don’t let anything between you and your education.
Her favorite color is blue and she has a son and dog
who she loves very much.
Evelyn MaflaAmy Parchment

11. MARIA APONTE
The beauty of traveling, the fear of a new place
The wonderful opportunities that appear in your face
You’re met with a new surrounding
Although the scenery is astounding
If Maria needed something she never asked
For her there was never an impossible task
She went from an employee to the head of that department
Although she retired she is still important
Going to the senior center was very inspirational,
many of them were immigrants who they came here
for their education, got jobs and supported themselves.
A lot of them came without their families when they
were around our age. It just shows how much people
can sacrifice for themselves and their future.
Amy Parchment Evelyn Mafla