Roman Alexander Gerus

Hometown: Scotch Plains, N.J. Professor: Mary D'Ambrosio Class: Writing the Mediterranean Takeaway: I learned about the perseverance and strength of the human character, and the ability to thrive in the face of immense hardship, as the Al-Hourani family from Homs, Syria did. They were displaced early on in the Syrian Civil War, and navigated their way through troubled waters across the Mediterranean into a foreign land. That was truly an inspiration for me to tell their story, as they embody the real people who have been affected by this humanitarian tragedy, and dispel the many rumors about these refugees being uneducated, criminals or even potential terrorists. I hope this story helps bring a consensus that these people still need our help as fellow humans, and that they too can help make our country great.