Saturday, September 20

Trip to Ellis Island

On September 20, 2008, Levermore Global Scholars visited Ellis Island. Below is a reflection of the trip written by Angela Allegretti.

I was excited to hear about the trip to Ellis Island because I had never been there before. Most people think that everyone from New York has been to Ellis Island and has seen the Statue of Liberty. Yet, many times, like in my case, this is not true. I was not sure what to expect or what we would see, but this trip certainly surpassed anything that I would have imagined.

While we were on the boat that took us across the same waters that the millions of immigrants before us had traveled, I was anxious, as were many, to see the famous Statue of Liberty up close. As we passed the grand statue, I stood in awe, gazing up at the majestic figure. But in that moment, I was also reflecting on what she still represents in American society today. It is amazing to think that for some of those people crossing the Atlantic on that treacherous journey, this statue would have been all that they would have seen of the land of opportunity if they had been turned away at Ellis Island. But for others, she stood as a sign of hope, and by raising her torch she guided their way to freedom. The immigrants were hopeful in pursuing each of their own "American Dreams," and the first step in achieving those dreams was to pass through the test that awaited them at Ellis Island.

There was no welcome mat, as people entered the Island. As soon as they walked up the stairs, they were scrutinized by doctors, nurses, and other official staff members on Ellis Island. When we saw the dormitories where people were detained, I was not surprised. But I was angered. Tour guides at museums like this never tell you how things really happened or the way people were actually treated. So many people were crammed into those rooms; all of them from different parts of the world but awaiting similar fates - deportation or entry into the land of opportunity.

It was interesting to learn that some of the things I knew as a child, like Nathan's hot dogs or Chef Boyardee ravioli, came from the minds of the people who passed through Ellis Island. If they had not, our society would have been much different from what it is today. It is also amazing to think about how just in a few years of implementing quotas, the immigration boom substantially slowed down. Because of Ellis Island, America was transformed into a distinctive and wonderful melting pot that it is still today.

Although I did not know of any of my ancestors who passed through the island, it was still interesting to see my last name on the Wall of Honor, even if I am probably not related to those people. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience such a vital part of our nation's history.

Written by Angela Allegretti
Edited by Yana Kusayeva