Today I, Freddy the squirrel, will be telling the story of a young woman named Jessica! We will look into Jessica’s past and see how her family came to America. We will find out how her family influenced the person she is today. We will learn about the amazing person that is Jessica!

Once upon a time,

There was a great potato blight. The blight brought famine, disease, and poverty for the people of this once great land. The people knew they could no longer survive this place. They heard of a mysterious new land called America. There were whispers of the promises that America was said to offer. The people knew this was their only hope. 

I will eat all the potatoes! Grrr!!!!

Many of Jessica's ancestors came to America from Norway and Sweden. The Norwegian's saw America as a safe haven from the monstrous potato blight that ruined the lives of many. 

They looked towards the New Land with hope in their eyes. They saw rich farmland and new beginnings.

Jessica's Family Tree

Let’s take a look at Jessica’s family tree and see who came to the great land of America!

Charles and Anna immigrated to America from Sweden in 1871.

Charles' father, Anders, joined his son in The New Land in 1880. He had been a soldier earlier in his life.

Hans and Liv immigrated to America in 1859 from Norway and settled in Iowa.

They had escaped the hardships they faced in their old countries but there were now new challenges to be faced. Little was known about their new home. They had to learn a new language. They were now the minority in a land full of people from all over the world.

Jessica's ancestors may have faced discrimination but they learned how to coexist with Native Americans and the other settlers around them.

They learned English to further themselves in this great land.

Hey look! There is that dang squirrle again! He always looks like he is talking to someone who isn't there...

They turned the wide prairies into prosperous farm land that provided for the family.

Jessica’s ancestors passed down traditions that her family still practices today! They participate in traditional holidays and celebrate birthdays! 

They enjoy rommegrot, cookies, and lefse!

Because of the hard work that her ancestors accomplished Jessica’s family is fortunate enough to be able to do things that not everyone is able to.

She was able to participate in sports while growing up.

Her family gets to travel and spend time at their lake cabin. She can also afford to go to graduate school.

Because of Jessica’s ethnicity she isn’t a minority in modern America. She has white privilege.

A disadvantage of Jessica’s position in the world is that she isn’t able to experience and learn about other cultures as easily.

Why are others so mean?

The first time Jessica realized that not all people have the same skin color was when she was in the first grade. This was a “culture shock” for young Jessica.

As Jessica grew older she heard racist jokes and stereotypes. She knew that treating people in this way is not the right thing to do!

Jessica is the person she is today because of the struggles that her ancestors overcame.

She is a believer in the Lutheran religion.

She values honesty, respect, and

treating everyone equally.

My family showed me how to treat and respect others. I also learned some of my values from them too!

You can see how Jessica's culture influences her behavior.

Jessica grew up in West Fargo ND and graduated high school from Shanley High School.The community around her showed her to put effort into everything you do.They followed laws, helped each other out, and went to church on Fridays.

Jessica was fortunate enough to play sports in high school. She calls basketball her true love. Jessica even was an All State Player her senior year!

Her love for basketball payed off! Jessica went on to play for Northern State University!