The end of a year of adventure was in sight the night of June 12 as many Filipino teachers and their guests gathered at the Crystal Bowl restaurant in Parkville to celebrate the end of their first year as teachers in Baltimore schools.
Aileen Mercado and the other teachers retained their sense of pride in their home islands while discovering American culture and embracing it. They respectfully faced the American flag when "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played, and then sang their country's national anthem proudly as Maria Lourdes C. Salcedo waved the Filipino flag.
