The Value of Education

Gabriel Aurioles, our good friend from Virginia, shared his life experiences with two of my classes at Lycée Vaugelas on April 18. He told the story of his family's escape from Communist Cuba, under Castro, when he was 9 years old. One day, June 6, 1960, a communist soldier came into his father's vegetable oil factory in Cuba and told his father that, from that day forward, the factory would belong to the State. While he was looking down the barrel of a machine gun, his father was offered 10% of his salary to stay and run the business. Gabriel's father told the soldier, "let me think about it." Then his father went to his home and discussed with his wife their "plan of action." They decided to escape with their children that day to the "free world" because all was going to be lost to the Communists. All material possessions were left behind that evening. Gabriel was told that he could choose one toy to take with him and so he chose two matchbox cars to take to his new life. The children were told that they were going on vacation. Gabriel and his family flew to Miami and, after six months, the family moved to Mexico because it was Spanish-speaking and his father had better job opportunities. One of the most important possessions which Gabriel's father took with him when he left Cuba on June 6 was his college diploma. The diploma was a symbol to Gabriel and his family of the value of an education. When Gabriel later attended the University of Florida (Go Gators!) Gabriel would translate his textbook in the margins of the book from English into Spanish. He did this because he was determined to achieve a "college education" because his father had laid the groundwork for the value of education. The students at Lycée Vaugelas were mesmerized by Gabriel's story and we had good questions and discussion as a result of Gabriel's presentation. Merci bien Gabriel!

Mme. Wallace