VANCOUVER, Wash. — Danger and displacement brought more than a dozen students to the U.S., then to a trade school in Vancouver. Despite the dire circumstances that led them to seek refuge here, they say that they're thriving in the new environment.
Walking through the doors of Cascadia Technical Academy, visitors will see high school students learning different trades. But among the 1,300 students are 19 who share a common bond.
Counselor Ryan Hovde said they have a story that they tend to keep to themselves — a story of survival.
"I've seen a lot in my 23 years as counselor, some pretty horrific things," said Hovde. "Hearing some of these kids' stories, it's gut-wrenching."
The stories all start the same way, with the outbreak of war. Alina Doichenlu, Volodymyr Boholieli and Margarita Mahai all relocated here from Ukraine following Russia's invasion.
"They killed (my) neighbor's dog and killed three neighbors," Boholieli recalled, "and they killed my uncle, unfortunately."
Boholieli said that his family made food on a campfire as they tried to survive, hiding from Russian soldiers. They spent 21 days under Russian occupation, he said.
Some of what Boholieli witnessed is so horrific, he doesn't know how to describe it in English. The best he can do are fragments — bodies in a burned-out car; some missing heads, some missing limbs.
At Cascadia, these students are finding a way to start over. War has changed them, but Hovde said that they've tried to grow from those experiences, allowing it to fuel them.
Alina Doichenlu didn't know English before coming to the U.S. in April of last year.
"I couldn't understand," she said. "But with time, I learned it, and now, it's getting better."
Splitting her time between Heritage High School and Cascadia Tech Academy, Doichenlu began pursuing an interest in dentistry. It wasn't always easy.
"I remember my first practice here at Cascadia. I was assisting (with) the extraction," she said. "And when I saw blood, I fainted ... But I didn't give up."
A little over a year later, Doichenlu is working as a dental assistant. She can assist with extractions without any issue, or whatever else she's called upon to do. Most of all, she said, she's doing what she loves to do.
And she's not the only one: Margarita Mahai developed a passion for running after coming to Oregon from Ukraine, even placing in some local meets.
"I took first place in the district last year for 800 meters and second place for one mile," Mahai said. Having had success both on and off the track, she's now working toward a future in tech.
But all of the Ukrainian students say their future prospects wouldn't be possible without Dr. Anna Hoshi, known to them as "Miss Anna."
"She means the world to them," said Hovde.
Hoshi is a paraeducator who helps each refugee with their English and whatever else they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. She makes sure that the students are prepared, floating in and out of their classes every day — sometimes translating, if needed. She's like a mother to them.
"They went through horrible experiences, and it made them stronger," Hoshi said. "And it made them more mature. It made them better prepared for challenges."
Hoshi moved to the U.S. from Russia, and she's been working in Portland-area schools for nearly 20 years. But this time, the work hits much closer to home.
"My son is in Ukraine, and part of my family is in Odessa, so it is very personal to me," she said. "And I feel deep for these kids, for everything they're going through. And each one of them I'm trying to create the environment as friendly as possible, so they would feel like at home."
It's a home in the form of a school, one filled with love and support.
"These kids come with a smile on their face every single day, and they just light up the room," Hovde said. "I mean, it's amazing what these kids are doing and how they're thriving. I'm proud of them."