Windsor teen, adopted from Ukraine, spearheads march to support exchange student

WINDSOR — When Russian troops invaded Ukraine, they stirred a thing within Liam Attwood that has percolated into action.

Attwood, an 18-yr-outdated junior at Windsor Substantial School, was adopted at age 3 out of an orphanage in the province of Kirovohrad, about 200 miles south of Kyiv, Ukraine.

He’s used the previous 15 a long time in the Upper Valley, but he’s typically puzzled about his origins — his state, his tradition, his organic spouse and children. He’s believed about visiting Ukraine, but the instability in the area has designed that unsafe.

Then Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and Attwood’s fascination grew even much more.

Adrian Attwood mentioned he could see his son battling with what Ukraine intended to him.

“This is a great link for him,” Adrian claimed of Liam’s growing knowing of his authentic place. “He appears to be a tiny much more snug in his skin now.”

Saturday, Attwood led about 100 individuals and at minimum 6 puppies on a 1-mile march about Windsor with vehicles honking and men and women shouting in guidance of Ukraine.

But this wasn’t a symbolic march for Attwood. Like the Ukrainian people today who have been admired all around the planet for their spirit in the face of Russian tanks, Attwood has discovered a way to assist a single of the only men and women he could — a Ukrainian trade university student at nearby Springfield Significant College.

Upcoming neighbors

Arman Kazarian is, according to a Springfield Booster Club member, the only Ukrainian exchange student in Vermont. He was supposed to go home in May possibly but has been trapped in the United States devoid of knowing what’s following. His spouse and children has fled to Poland.

The Springfield Booster Club has turned its focus from supporting the school’s athletic groups to seeking to locate a way to carry Kazarian’s loved ones to the United States they’ve has enlisted the enable of U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, but crimson tape has slowed the method.

Stephen Lawrence and Markee Esterline of the Springfield Booster Club marched with Attwood on Saturday to clearly show guidance for his efforts.

If the logistics can be sorted out, there will be funds completely ready for aircraft tickets and other expenses of moving Kazarian’s mom, father and younger sister to the Higher Valley. And the dollars will be applied to support Kazarian’s costs right here right up until he can return.

“There is hope we could find a way to have Arman’s loved ones arrive listed here,” Lawrence informed the accumulating. “Maybe even become your neighbors.”

Liam Attwood’s mom, Sarah, explained she appreciates the assist and hopes a way to support Kazarian’s spouse and children is uncovered.

“This college student is dwelling in our group, and his family is in difficulty,” Sarah Attwood explained.

He identified his voice

In the halls of Windsor High College, Liam Attwood claims he’s still “just Liam,” regardless of the regular barrage of information out of Ukraine.

But his teachers and principal see a variation in the silent, slight scholar athlete.

Two of the marchers, Catharine Engwall and Kim Brinck-Johnsen, are college advisers for, respectively, the WHS Social Justice Coalition and Pupil Council, two groups that joined forces to support the march.

“The learners have truly taken responsibility for this,” Brinck-Johnsen said. “It was their idea.”

Windsor educational institutions co-principal Kate Ryan, as she walked with the group, stated Saturday was “everything you want to see.”

“Liam took demand,” reported Ryan, who describes him as silent but a excellent college student, a aggressive cross country runner and “a nice child.”

Attwood had been attending rallies at Dartmouth and Woodstock but felt the drive to do more.

“He walked into my office environment one working day and mentioned, ‘I want to do some thing in Windsor,’ ” Ryan recalled. “He observed his voice. This is his appear-alive minute.”

And Ryan reported the motion has performed some thing else. Attwood’s assist for Kazarian, whom he has not achieved other than on Fb, are bonding two schools regarded extra for their intense rivalry in athletics.

Lawrence, the booster club member, is also the Springfield cross region coach. Attwood is a runner from the opposing school.

“Rivalries don’t issue when men and women are involved,” Lawrence stated. “Rivalries get pushed aside.

For his element, Liam Attwood mentioned the war in Ukraine has reshaped his watch of his beginning nation and its people.

“It’s amazing to see what they’ve accomplished so much in the war,” he said. “How sturdy they are. It is an astounding experience when you feel, ‘Wow, which is where by I’m from.’ I appear at Ukraine as my nation.”

He had a single sentiment for spot residents: “Keep supporting Ukraine.”

To get associated or add to assist Arman Kazarian and his household, call the Springfield Booster Club at P.O. Box 666 in Springfield, Vt. A lot more details can be discovered on the group’s Facebook web page.Darren Marcy can be achieved at [email protected] or 802-291-4992.