About six years ago, senior Marfa Kolesnikova-Cherenkova immigrated to the United States after fleeing intense conflict in her home country. Just recently, she has received her citizenship. To prepare for the test, she studied topics such as U.S. geography, history and government.
As a child, Kolesnikova-Cherenkova spent countless hours in her hometown’s park, a place that became a central part of her early memories. Whether she was climbing on old, weathered statues that towered above her or strolling along winding paths hand-in-hand with her grandparents, the park offered her a sense of joy and freedom. It was there that she felt most connected to her family and her community, and those moments remain some of her most cherished memories from her childhood.
“We always used to visit this restaurant called The Three Geese,” Kolesnikova-Cherenkova said. “I always used to get excited when we ordered chicken noodle soup, then we would hang out at the playground while we waited for the soup.”
Since moving to the U.S., she has picked up several new hobbies, including playing soccer, playing video games and watching true crime shows.
“I like to watch reality TV shows like ‘48 Hours’ or ‘I Escaped the Killer,’” she said. “My favorites would be ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ and ‘Law & Order: Organized Crime,’ ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ in particular, I’ve been watching since I was a child.”
Outside of her hobbies, Marfa has also been focused on her education, especially as she prepared for the U.S. citizenship test. Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed by her teachers.
“So Marfa started in my class in January,” teacher Dana Blakely said. “I thought it was great to have her in class there are many things you need to know to pass the citizenship test that we cover. She was very helpful; hearing a firsthand account from someone going through the immigration process gave the class a deeper understanding of what it takes to become a U.S. citizen.”
One of Kolesnikova-Cherenkova’s strongest supporters is speech pathologist Stacey Kozisek. The two meet weekly to talk, and Kozisek was one of the first people Marfa shared her big news with.
“The day she passed the citizenship test and was sworn in as a U.S. citizen was incredibly important to her,” Kozisek said. “She stopped by my office during passing periods to tell me. She was stunned and blown away that it finally happened. I’m very proud of her.”
From fond memories in a park worldwide to building a new life filled with new interests and strong support, Kolesnikova-Cherenkova’s story reflects the hope and determination that define so many immigrant experiences. As she looks toward the future, Kolesnikova-Cherenkova continues to inspire those around her with her accomplishments and the strength and heart behind them.
