A larger version of this picture appeared on the front page of the September 20, 2012 Akron Beacon Journal.   L to R: Kailash Ghimirey (midfielder), Michael Kane (coach), Mani Tamang (Defender), Baw Nyaw Lay (Forward).

The soccer players from many Bhutanese Community Association of Akron families are having a very positive impact on the North High School varsity soccer team.  They got a lot of experience playing soccer when they were confined to refugee camps in Nepal after the monarchy forced their families out of Bhutan. 

These students are living the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, although in very bad economic times.  They appreciate their teachers and the education they are getting at North High School and they are quickly learning English in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program -- to the point where many of them serve as interpreters for their parents and grandparents. 

They are in this country legally and look forward to attaining citizenship when they become eligible.