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Show PROFILE The Park Record. A-10 www.parkrecord.com SAT/SUN/MON/TUES, JUNE 29-JULY 2, 2013 From Taiwan to Park City in a series of stutter steps By STEVE PHILLIPS Record Contributing writer Hsiu-Chi Alberque was tagged with the nickname "Ammo" in middle school. The word has no meaning in Chinese, her native language. She explains that the Chinese often give children silly, nonsensical nicknames. The name stuck and she won't answer to anything else, at least not in the United States. The Taiwanese native lives here now and works as a speech-language pathologist in Salt Lake's Jordan School District. It's an unusual career choice for someone whose first language isn't English, but Alberque says it has worked to her advantage in surprising ways. Alberque was born and grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. She remembers a close, loving relationship with her family. "I played outside after homework until sunset every day with my older brother and other neighborhood chil- VITAL STATISTICS Favorite activities: Hiking, biking, snowboarding, camping, shopping for a good deal Favorite foods: Any type of Asian food Favorite reading: Adventure novels Favorite music: Jazz, blues and folk Animal companions: "We recently adopted a two-year-old cat that is still awaiting an official name." Bucket list: "So many destinations, so little time." dren. Life was simple and a continual adventure," she says. She was a model student throughout primary and secondary school. "I always knew I would go to college. That was my goal." She attended Providence University in central Taiwan, taking an improbable degree in tourism. "It wasn't my choice," she explains. "In Taiwan they tell you what you'll study based on your entrance-exam scores." After graduating, she worked for a travel agency for two years. "I traveled to many Southeast Asian countries with the job. I was basically a shy and reserved person and had some difficulty talking to the tour groups. I didn't feel comfortable with that aspect of the job." Alberque left the job after saving enough money to travel to the United States. An American friend in Taiwan helped her arrange an extended stay in the States. "I traveled most of California and a few other western states over three months and learned a lot about American culture and customs," she says. She returned to Taiwan in 1996 and took a job teaching English at the Gloria English School in Chungli, Taiwan. She taught grammar, basic conversation, reading and writing to pre- and elementary schoolers. While there, she got an idea - a really big one. "I thought, I'll go back to the United States, take a degree in speech and language pathology, then come back home and be a pioneer in the field in Taiwan. Speech and language therapists are desperately needed in Taiwan, where children with speech and language disabilities are often left behind in the education system." Her ambitious plan took form in 1997 when she left the Gloria School and moved to Salt Lake City to study at the University of Utah. "I applied to a lot of U.S. colleges, but Utah seemed like the best opportunity for me. My friend Wendy provided me the support to take this monumental step in my life." PCPAF_BSBN_LosLobos_Half_ParkRec.pdf 1 6/20/13 She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in speech and hearing science from the U of U in 2000 and was promptly accepted into a master's program at Utah State University in Logan. Two years later, she was awarded a Master of Science degree with honors in speech and language pathology. She made plans for her return to Taiwan, but it was not to be. "I thought about it and decided it would be a good idea to get a year or two of teaching experience in the States before I went back home," says Alberque. She took a part-time job as a speech therapist with the Weber School District, working with elementary school children with speech and language disabilities. This opportunity quickly became a full-time job. Her plans to return to Taiwan were laid to rest in December 2004 when she married Howard Alberque at the Coalville Courthouse. They'd met on an Internet dating site in 2002. "Our relationship grew slowly. We were both very active and had a lot of fun together. But Howard took the time to really get to know me. Two years later, here I was married, working full time and still in the United States," she chuckles. American citizenship became her next goal, which she attained in 2006. "There's a lot of responsibility that goes along with citizenship, like voting, jury duty and paying taxes. I take that very seriously." She notes that traveling abroad (her greatest passion) is a lot easier with a U.S. passport. Today, she and Howard live comfortably in their Pinebrook home. Howard is a JetBlue pilot, which makes travel easier for her. She went to China in 2011 on a volunteer mission to work in an orphanage with children with language disabilities. "We both want do more volunteer work when Howard retires," she says. "We love to travel but don't want to be just a couple of American tourists. We want to give back some of what CHRISTOPHER REEVES/THE PARK RECORD Taiwan native Hsiu-Chi "Ammo" Alberque lives in the Park City area and works as a speech pathologist in the Jordan School District. She became an American citizen in 2006. we've been given in this country and in our lives." Seven years ago, Alberque accepted a position as a speech-language pathologist in the Salt Lake Valley's Jordan School District. She is currently working with both elementary and adult students. "The students in adult school are 18 to 22 years old and have severe disabilities. I work with them on their functional communication and social skills. "It's really been an advantage that English is not my first language," she says. "Because I was quiet and struggled with my own social skills as a young person, and because I still struggle with English sometimes, I really understand what these children and adults are going through. I think it makes me a better speech therapist." Steve Phillips is a Park City-based writer and actor. Send your profile comments and suggestions to him at stevep2631@comcast.net. 9:26 AM B IG STARS BRIGHT NIGHTS concert series at Deer Valley Resort Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater ® los lobos July 4 los lonely alejandro boys escovedo Comprised of four East L.A. friends plus a saxophonist/keyboardist who came on board in the early '80s - is still that authentic, smokin' hot wolf pack of its early days. Celebrate summer with a little Latin-inflected, rock n' roll on Independence Day as three sizzling acts take to the stage. Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy an unforgettable evening in the beautiful outdoors. Gates open at 5pm. Tickets from $35 Box Office 435-655-3114 EcclesCenter.org Lawn tickets also available at: Deer Valley Signatures or Etc. 435-649-1000 ® The King's English Bookshop 801-484-9100 |