Girl Scout's bilingual book wins award

By Kim Graves
© 2009 WKYC-TV

Reading and writing are not easy for her, yet she excels in math, speaks two languages, and is passionate about writing. "I really like words," said Megan Capitena. "I like to make people think and question what they know."

Megan Capitena, 18, has a learning disability called dyslexia that makes it difficult to read, write and spell. That means she has problems translating language to thought and thought to language.

At times, she needs help reading her own writing.

"When I get stuck, I just write the simpler version of the word," said Megan. "I can tell you where I was when I wrote something, a particular thought, and I can tell you the reasons why. Certain words catch me. I call them good words or 'sharp' words."

Dyslexia is not the result of low intelligence. Intelligence is not the problem for Megan and, in fact, she has an above average IQ.

People with dyslexia are unique, each having individual strengths and weaknesses. Many dyslexics are creative and have unusual talent in areas such as athletics, music or engineering.

Megan, now a freshman in college, has been in Girl Scouts for ten years. She is completing her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting.

For her project, Megan decided to write a book in both English and Spanish for the Migrant Center in Hartville.

When Megan was in seventh grade, she got involved with the Migrant Center through her church. She volunteered to watch the children in the store.

Playing games and listening to the children talk to each other helped her pick up different phrases in Spanish.

"It's easier to learn a new language when you're young," said Megan. "I also think it's easier to learn Spanish by hearing it and speaking it."

Megan hopes her book will make it easier for Spanish-speaking children who want to learn English become bilingual. She is creative and intuitive, but as you can imagine, the technical part of writing a book in any language is a challenge for Megan.

She said she considered the cultural differences and decided to make the theme of her book something that all children can understand.

"I learned that to laugh and to love, someone doesn't have a language barrier," said Megan. "Crying is the same in both Spanish and English. I want to provoke thoughts and emotion with my writing."

Megan has finished writing her book of poems and short stories and is waiting for it to be published.

Once it's published, she plans to present it to the Migrant Center. She is also going to read her book to a classroom of elementary school children in Rootstown.

"I want people to be aware of the migrant workers and to respect them for their contribution to our community," said Megan.

"They are not here to take jobs away from other people. It's a lot of physical labor, and they work for minimum wage. They do jobs most people would not want. I never hear them complain that they need more. They don't say they need 'things' to be happy. They are happy with what they have -- family."

Being an advocate for migrant workers is just the beginning for Megan. She plans to pursue a career in special education so she can make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities.

"In high school, most kids relate to each other by playing sports. I want to start a photography program for special-ed students, particularly those with dyslexia, Asperberger's and Downs Syndrome -- they need to find a common ground, and everyone can take a picture."