Breakdancing is a rare but greatly enjoyed activity to CHS junior Ghiath Arodaki. Though it goes against his culture, Arodaki cannot help but ‘break’ into dance when he feels the urge to do so. When Arodaki first visited America, he was only eight
years old, and already he could tell that he was in love. Only used to the hot, dry desert of his home, he could not help but succumb to the beauty of Eugene, Oregon’s lush green environment. Little did he know that following his father’s death, he and his family would return to America in 2015 for a more permanent stay.

“It was a big dream to me to come to school here and live and study here; and here it is coming true,” Arodaki said.

Arodaki, a Syrian-American, began his residence here on July 27 earlier this year. When he was living in Kuwait, his family
was denied full citizenship. There, the people considered him a foreigner. Instead of being one of their “brothers,” he was just an American to them, an outsider.

Regardless, Arodaki never let this diminish his spirit. He found serenity through his passions. Breakdancing and drawing became outlets to him, where he could let his passion flow unencumbered. Arodaki only sometimes dares to breakdance at school because it goes against his culture. But as his passion for dance blossomed,following his initial interest in it as a hobby, he finds that he can no longer resist his call to dance. Although a comical hobby in years past, Arodaki’s age and many cultural restraints have, by consequence, made his dancing a frowned upon action. Arodaki’s mother is not a big fan of her son’s choice to breakdance as she prefers him to study and focus on school.

However, Arodaki is not perturbed by this lack of approval and continues dancing merely for the love of it. Arodaki likes to have ‘dance battles’ to showcase his skills. He can dance to any type of music and loves to perform in public, whether for close friends or a larger audience. His favorite move consists of him jumping up, landing on his hand, and spinning around. Though one of his favorite hobbies is resented by his culture, his other favorite hobby is greatly supported by his family. Drawing everything from environmental scenes, to buildings, to characters, Arodaki finds solace through his art. He began drawing at a young age with his family supporting and urging him on. With his family behind him in the world of art, Arodaki continues drawing to this day.

Today Arodaki is enjoying the school life of Claremont noting the many cultural changes he has observed. Although he misses his friends back home, Arodaki is enjoying the friendships he has forged thus far into his in the States.

“I am happy to be here with you guys. I will enjoy my last two years at high school. I wish to meet more friends, and the friends I have now are the best here,”Arodaki said.

Arodaki’s new friends very much enjoy his company and dancing skills, and relish the opportunity to learn about his culture. His love of breakdancing and drawing, as well as his many new friends, have made him a truly unique member of the CHS family.