For 16 years, Grace Emmanuel School has been part of Nimchy’s life. He started at GES when he was just 4 years old. Now, as a senior preparing to graduate, he is looking back on the school that has been part of nearly every stage of his childhood—and looking ahead to what comes next.

“I felt very happy and at the same time sad too,” Nimchy said about his final first day of school. “It’s the last year I have of this chapter in my life, and I’m sad because I will miss the school very much and the ways I’ve grown accustomed to.”

Growing up at GES

His memories of GES go all the way back to his very first day.

“I remember I couldn’t speak well,” he says. “And I remember my teacher too. Her name was Natalie, and she was so nice.”

He also remembers going to school in the tents.

“I remember that when there was lots of wind, the tents would almost shred apart and we would make a lot of noise about that.”

Later, GES moved into new buildings, something Nimchy remembers as a big change.

“I felt more comfortable,” he said. “The floor was finished, and the rooms were beautiful. They had beautiful colors painted on them, and we sat so comfortably. It was really a beautiful thing.”

Over the years, Nimchy has made memories with teachers, classmates and friends. Mr. Mario stands out as one teacher who had a lasting influence on him.

“I liked the way he worked on all the material with me,” he shared. “The way he taught me them, I’ve never forgotten.”

His friend Owen also has provided plenty of memorable moments. Once, Nimchy gave Owen an answer to tell a teacher, and Owen simply repeated exactly what Nimchy had told him—without stopping to think about whether the answer made sense.

“He didn’t even analyze the response,” Nimchy remembered with a laugh.

Then there were the bigger GES traditions. If he could relive three moments from his 16 years at the school, Nimchy says he would choose these three:

“The Genius Competition, because it made us think. I always loved it.”

“Soccer championships, because that is something I love and sometimes I got to play, too.”

And the Christmas party. “The programs in the party, the dancing, the food and the gifts—I love it lots.”

When everything changed

But Nimchy’s years at GES also include some difficult memories.

On April 19, 2023, he was at school taking exams when gunshots forced him to run. He made his way toward Cabaret, eventually traveling with his aunt and her children to Arcahaie. The next day, he found his mother and brother again.

“I felt awful because I missed my house,” he said. “Despite being in my grandma’s house, I was never comfortable.”

When Nimchy learned that GES would continue, even though the school could no longer remain in its former location, he was relieved.

“I was very happy when I learned that Grace Emmanuel School would continue. I didn’t want to change schools because I was already used to the way of life at GES. It gave me a lot of pleasure because I would return to my same school.”

What hasn’t changed

The buildings and locations have changed over the years, but Nimchy says the heart of GES has remained the same.

“The principles and the discipline have never changed, and all the activities too.”

Those 16 years have also taught Nimchy how to work hard. He says homework has helped him become stronger, and his advice to other students is straightforward:

“Study a lot and never neglect your lessons and homework and always reach your goals.”

His mother has given him similar advice.

“My mom tells me that my success comes from work,” Nimchy says. “Everything you need is a fight—you must fight for it.”

A gift of grace

Nimchy has taken those words to heart. But he also knows what he doesn’t have to fight for—the grace of God. His favorite verse, John 3:16, reminds him how loved he is and teaches him to be generous.

One example of the person God has matured him into through these years came recently when his family was facing a financial need.

“My mom didn’t have money, and I had a little money in reserve. I chose to give my brother all my money, and I went to school by foot and didn’t buy any snacks because I want others to advance together with me.”

Moving forward together

That desire to see others move forward with him is something Nimchy hopes to carry into his future. After graduation, he wants to study civil engineering.

“I would love to become a great engineer and learn some other manual trades, too,” he said.

As Nimchy prepares to leave GES next summer, he knows there is one memory that will stay with him for a very long time.

“I’ll always remember how it felt under the tent when the wind would rattle on the poles.”

Sixteen years ago, Nimchy was a little boy who could barely speak, sitting under those deteriorating tents. It has been a privilege to watch him grow through the years—from that little boy into a hardworking, thoughtful young man who is ready to pursue his dreams and help others along the way.

We can’t wait to see where God leads him next.