Photo Album: New Mainers celebrate the English language

Kasu Abelita George cheers Thursday during an English Language Learning celebration at The Root Cellar in Lewiston. George is one of more than 70 people who were recognized on the last day of the spring semester class. Teachers at The Root Cellar have taught more than 1,000 people the English language since a small group of volunteers started the program in 2014. The number of people taking the beginner English class doubled from 50 at the beginning of May to 100 at the end of May due to the large number of asylum seekers arriving in Maine, The Root Cellar Director Joel Furrow said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Cloudine Ingobire gives her English teacher, Martha Bucher, a kiss Thursday during an English Language Learning celebration at The Root Cellar in Lewiston. Ingobire is one of more than 70 people who were recognized on the last day of the spring semester class. Teachers at The Root Cellar have taught more than 1,000 people the English language since a small group of volunteers started the program in 2014. The number of people taking the beginner English class doubled from 50 at the beginning of May to 100 at the end of May due to the large number of asylum seekers arriving in Maine, The Root Cellar Director Joel Furrow said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Mahdi Djama is recognized Thursday during an English Language Learning celebration at The Root Cellar in Lewiston. Djama is one of more than 70 people who received a certificate on the last day of the spring semester class. Teachers at The Root Cellar have taught more than 1,000 people the English language since a small group of volunteers started the program in 2014. The number of people taking the beginner English class doubled from 50 at the beginning of May to 100 at the end of May due to the large number of asylum seekers arriving in Maine, The Root Cellar Director Joel Furrow said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Lucie Kabongo Luseba returns to her seat Thursday after being recognized during an English Language Learning celebration at The Root Cellar in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Moyo Mayamba stands to be recognized Thursday during an English Language Learning celebration at The Root Cellar in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Anabela Rodrigues, center, cheers Thursday during an English Language Learning celebration at The Root Cellar in Lewiston. Rodrigues and Nora Mawanga, left, are two of more than 70 people who were recognized on the last day of the spring semester class. Teachers at The Root Cellar have taught more than 1,000 people the English language since a small group of volunteers started the program in 2014. The number of people taking the beginner English class doubled from 50 at the beginning of May to 100 at the end of May due to the large number of asylum seekers arriving in Maine, The Root Cellar Director Joel Furrow said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Michelle Richards watches a video made in her honor Thursday during an English Language Learning celebration at The Root Cellar in Lewiston. Richards had the idea in 2014 to gather a small group of volunteers to teach the English language to people moving into the city. The video was made as a “thank you” to Richards. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Luisa Sauca gives her English teacher, Martha Bucher, a hug Thursday during an English Language Learning celebration at The Root Cellar in Lewiston. Sauca is one of more than 70 people who were recognized on the last day of the spring semester class. Teachers at The Root Cellar have taught more than 1,000 people the English language since a small group of volunteers started the program in 2014. The number of people taking the beginner English class doubled from 50 at the beginning of May to 100 at the end of May due to the large number of asylum seekers arriving in Maine, The Root Cellar Director Joel Furrow said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

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Daryn Slover