"My family was cruelly torn from their land, forced to come to America. My ancestors suffered from abuse, sickness, starvation. They had to work so hard they died young. But they were a strong people. They sang songs of home as they toiled. They were determined to be free, risking their lives."
Her fellow students listened enrapt as she shared stories passed down through the generations. Her teacher began to frown.
Joleen ended, "I am so proud of my Irish heritage."