| One of the
students that went to Mohonasen was Mrs. Hilko. Her maiden name was Adelia Antonella
Ciaschetti. She came to Mohonasen Schools in the year 1972 as a ninth grader. Mrs. Hilko
was born on February 3,1958 in Chieti, Italy. 
Mrs. Hilko started school in the United
States as a fourth grader at St. Columbus. She came from Abbruzzo, Italy and landed at JFK
airport in New York City on August 12, 1968. She was among many immigrants in the
Schenectady area that gave cultural variety to our school.
There were cultural differences that Mrs.
Hilko faced in school. She was given many responsibilities at home and did not
participate in many activities. American children could get help with their homework. She
could not since her parents were not able to speak or read English. Her parents both
worked so that they could realize the "American dream." Mrs. Hilko's parents
were very strict and she was not allowed to do many of the American activities. These
challenges were typical for American immigrants of the 1960s and early 1970's.
During this time period
Mohonasen had many immigrants. Dr. Hadsell thought that the European influence contributed to Mohonasen's awesome
soccer teams during the 50's. Revolts in several Communist
countries in Europe had stimulated immigration to the Mohonsen area and soccer was such a
popular sport in Europe that our teams had experiential advantages.
Today, Mohonasen School
District appreciates the many cultures that we represent. We are proud of our ethnic
diversity.
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Mrs. Hilko enjoyed going to school at
Mohonasen. It was exciting to be able to compare her home life with America
children and they enjoyed discussing their differences. Her friends helped her with
the language, food and teen culture. She gradually started to be able to do out of
school activities.She enjoyed going to basketball games, roller skating, bowling,
birthday parties, and shopping with her friends. She was able to maintain her
Italian culture at home and slowly started to become an American
teenager.
Mrs. Hilko graduated from Mohonasen with a
Regents Diploma in 1976. She attend 2 years of college. Today she is back at
Mohonasen and works in the Draper Middle School as a teacher aide. She enjoys trying
to help children be successful students. She often reminds them that with hard work
and effort anything is possible.
--Alan S.
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