Welcome Warriors get
to know each other
in Linnea Burgevin’s
resource classroom.
Clyde A. Erwin Middle School
Stronger Through Diversity
By Tim Reaves, Digital Communications Specialist
Erwin Middle School is proud
of its diverse and welcoming
student body.
“You’re going to see kids from
all over the world,” said Erwin
principal Christopher Thompson.
“It’s a melting pot of students
and cultures within the school.
And even though a lot of kids
don’t speak English as a first
language, they find their place
where they fit in. Students are
very accepting here.”
“If you’re a newcomer, you
might be nervous that you won’t
make any friends,” added Ariana
Hamilton, another eighth-grader.
“This program is a confidence
booster.”
Welcome Warriors also helps the
mentors, said eighth-grader Taylor
Berry.
Erwin Middle School students took a
tour of the UNC-Ashville STEAM Studio
in October 2017.
In an ever-broadening world, it’s more important than
ever to be culturally literate, to be able to work with
people from diverse backgrounds, Thompson said.
“Here they see it every day,” he said.
Last year, the school started Welcome Warriors, a
mentoring support program that pairs new arrivals
with students who speak the same language. Welcome
Warriors are bi- and tri-lingual students, as well as
those who only speak English. That way, newcomers
can get help with their initial transition and practice
English with someone they trust.
“I get to meet new people, and it
feels good to have someone trust
you,” she said.
With 18 different languages represented at Erwin
Middle, a welcoming environment is essential, said
Linnea Burgevin, who coordinates the Welcome
Warriors program with Erwin and the United Way
of Asheville & Buncombe County. Erwin hosts
multicultural celebrations where families share their
food and culture.
“The students feel recognized for their cultural
background in the school setting,” Burgevin said.
“It’s awesome.”
“It helps kids feel not so isolated when they’re new,”
said Olivia Roberts, an eighth grade mentor.
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“It gives you a buddy to work with if you get stuck
on something with homework or getting around the
school,” said Yareli Rivera, a seventh-grade mentor.
“It helps you improve faster.”
Families from more than a dozen language
groups call the Erwin District home.