other grades. The Kolarovas clapped for each student.
When it was Teodora's turn, Daniela aimed her point-and-shoot camera
as Stephan read: "Teodora is a SAT 9 superstar. Her teacher, Mr. Kamiya,
says she excels in the classroom and socially. She is an excellent role
model for other students."
Kamiya has observed that Teodora was so literate in her first language
that those skills have transferred over to English. "She has a lot of
confidence," he said. "She can do just about anything she wants to do."
When the Kolarovas left Bulgaria, unemployment there was at 40% in
some cities and the country average was 15%. Most people with university
degrees could not get jobs, Daniela said. Through the U.S. Diversity
Immigrant program lottery held every fiscal year, the couple was able to
obtain a visa to come to the United States. The Kolarovas were among
3,500 Bulgarians destined for immigration. A complex background check was
done before the visa was granted.
The family found out about some Bulgarian families in Glendale who
were willing to meet them at the airport and help them find an apartment.
They brought a month's rent and six suitcases to the U.S.
The family lives in an apartment on South Verdugo Road between
Colorado Street to the north and Acacia Avenue to the south.
Daniela works as a teller at the Foothill Boulevard Bank of America
branch in La Canada Flintridge. Teodora's father, Roumen, is a security
guard at Big 5 Sporting Goods in Encino through Guard Systems Inc. of
Burbank. In four years, they want to apply for American citizenship.
"My daughter feels like she belongs here," Daniela said.
"She sets an example for us to do the same thing."
