A welcoming reception commenced as Pema Tamang, one of the lead dancers, performed a traditional Bollywood dance to welcome new guests. The Sarick family stood in awe and gratitude as they were welcomed into Nepal by the Marshyangdi School and this wonderful little dancer. This was the Sarick’s first time seeing Pema, in 2012. Shereen Sarick had come to Marshyangdi with her son to volunteer and teach. Little did the Saricks or Pema suspect that before long they would all be joined together as one happy family.

“I saw this little miss of an amazing dancer in class when I was teaching 8th grade, and then we  started talking and hanging out during recess. She started teaching me her Bollywood dance moves,” Shereen Sarick said recently, making a slight flourish with her hands.

On weekends and school breaks of 2012 when the Saricks were teaching, the trio of Shereen, her son Jack, and Pema would take time off to go explore Nepal, and gradually they started spending more and more time together.

Later, the desire for a higher education led to discussions between the family and Tamang of the possibility of Pema moving to America. Pema said that she felt both excited, and nervous, but mostly excited. Her original education plan was to finish the 10th grade at the Marshyangdi school, the highest grade taught there, and then finish her high school education, 11th and 12th grade, in Kathmandu. Upon graduation, she was hoping to be able to attend a university in America. However, her plans, along with those of so many others, changed when the earthquake hit on April 25th of this year. The Marshyangdi School was devastated. After a difficult decision making process, the Saricks and Pema, closer than ever before, decided it was time for her to come to America earlier than planned.

Pema had visited Aspen in October of 2014, and it was then that she had her first chance to see what her life could be like here. During that trip, she was also able to get a glimpse of Aspen High School.

“I liked it,” Pema said, “but it was different. So free, and the teaching style was so different. I really wanted to study here. In my school in Nepal, we are not allowed to eat in class, or bring any electronics or chew gum. There was much less freedom.”

In addition to the strict environment, the Marshyangdi School lacked most modern facilities, such as running hot water and toilets. Some kids boarded at the school, where they shared a room with around 10 others. Both Pema and the Saricks were in agreement that Aspen would be a good new fit, and a chance for a great education.

Pema made the move to Aspen on July 30, and is gracefully making the adjustment to her new life here. She has embraced the differences in her life and has already integrated herself into several aspects of the school, including dance team,  and lately she has aspirations of joining the basketball team. Along with her new experiences in AHS, are her new experiences in the town of Aspen itself. Mostly, in Aspen, she is looking forward to the Winter when she can start to ski.

“America is very different than Nepal”  Pema confirmed. The culture, food, and language are just of few of the obstacles and opportunities that Pema has warmly accepted. With such a life changing move, it will certainly take some time to settle in, but so far she has delighted in her time in Aspen and adapted well. As time passes, we as a community can only hope that Pema will continue to feel more and more at home.