I have written before as an instructor at Southern Maine Community College working with English Language Learners—both immigrants and refugees. My students completed their final project at the end of the semester, and they will be televised on SPTV at the following times during the week of Jan. 30 through Thursday, Feb. 6, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and Friday at 10 p.m.

These students wrote a final speech on a topic of great importance to them. Like many of us, they were nervous as they stood at the podium to deliver their message. I can assure you that they did a wonderful job and that their messages are heartwarming and important.

I hope you can find some time to watch these speeches and to make the effort to listen carefully, to understand their struggles and to appreciate their challenges. They are remarkable young men and women, many who have endured more than most of us can imagine. This project was a culmination of their experiences as well as their efforts.

Just following the inauguration of our new president, I believe you will find significance in their words. Thank you for taking the time to view this project.

Rosemarie De Angelis

South Portland