Yesterday I had the pleasure of going to Bishop Maginn High School to meet Paris-Riana, a 14-year-old freshman described by her teachers as one of the most remarkable people and intellect they have seen in many years.

She needs help.

The setting was surreal. I’m used to be mobbed when I go there, especially with Zinnia. I was sealed off from everyone.

The school takes Covid-19 seriously, and infections in the Albany area are skyrocketing. Sue Silverstein is nervous about my coming to school now, but it’s important.

We sat in an empty and unused classroom 15 feet apart. A teacher would translate or walk back and forth to make sure we understood one another.

I entered and left through a sealed back door and could only wave to some of the students through windows.

Like Melak, Paris is quite remarkable. I’m forever amazed by the courage, tolerance, and acceptance of these children. They never complain or show grievance despite the difficulties they have endured.

Paris is almost painfully shy and modest; I decided not to share her history details; I saw it was painful for her to talk about them.

She is one of nine siblings; she lives with her father, brother, and sisters in Albany.

I know she has had a very tough life, harder than I am free to discuss or than she will say much about. But I am familiar with her family. I know they are struggling, as are so many other people.

Paris is determined to get to college. She studies Japanese culture and is into drawing (she spends every afternoon at the public library reading books) and Anime and anatomy art.

Paris would love to have a mentor, someone to encourage her and check in with her from time to time through her teachers and Sue Silverstein.

So far, she has made few friends in school but feels safe and at home. Her teachers say she is popular but shy. They all describe her as remarkably gifted. I could see that for myself.

I asked Paris at least a dozen times how we could help her, and she said she needed nothing for herself but hoped she could give some food gift cards to her father.

And she would very much like to stay in Bishop Maginn; any help with tuition would be appreciated.

I was taken with Paris right away, an empathetic, modest, incredibly intelligent, and interesting young person. I finally got her to tell me what she loves doing and thus found ways to help her.

Because she is so shy, she tended to speak in nods and mono-syllables. I didn’t push her. She did say her favorite subject was algebra. I gulped. I flunked algebra four times. She laughed when I told her.

I was warned that she would be timid, but we had no trouble communicating; it just took patience.

Sue Silverstein was surprised at how she opened up to me; it took some work.  I said I benefited from being a reporter. And children who suffer in hard times break my heart.

When Paris says she’s studying Japanese culture, she isn’t kidding. She’s tapped into libraries all over the country to study Japanese history and culture. I could easily see her as an anthropologist.

I can only imagine how challenging it must be for her father to care for nine siblings.

I want to get some Wal-Mart gift cards for the family. They are easy to purchase in any amount; if you can help, please send them to me, Jon Katz, 2502 State Route 22, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

I’ve wanted to meet her for some time, but Covid-19 had other ideas. Paris needs help. Her family has no money – none – to pay her $4,000 tuition.

Bishop Maginn is heroic in my eyes; they turn no one away over tuition. But these are tough times for the Catholic Church and the refugees and minority students who make up the core of Bishop Maginn’s student body.

Mike Tolan has never kicked any student out over money, but he has people to answer to also, and what seems to work is help in any amount with tuition, even if we can’t raise all of it.

This is a child well worth helping and saving.

“She is just the most impressive student I can recall; she is incredibly bright, generous, and creative,” Sue Silverstein told me.

Any amount of tuition help would help, and if you send money directly to the school – Mike Tolan, Principal, Bishop Maginn High School, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, N.Y., 12202, the donation is tax-deductible.

My sense is as long as Mike can collect some payment every month, he can keep these students in school. Getting all of it would be great.

I suggested to Mike that we move on two fronts. People who wish can send a tuition donation directly to the school above.

I’ll collect funds for her art and other interests and studies and some personal needs.

This morning, I sent $90 worth of items to Paris. A book on How Japan’s Pop Culture Conquered The World; a HungerXHunger Canvas Art Poster (Anime); an anatomical art book: Anatomica: The Exquisite and Unsettling Art of Human Anatomy; and Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, the kind Paris loves to work with.

I want to keep some money on hand for small items, which her teachers can alert me. I don’t want the mentoring program to be about money, but support and encouragement.

I’ll keep an eye on her; she is a student in Sue Silverstein’s art class.

If you are interested in being a mentor to Paris, you can contact Sue Silverstein – [email protected].

I think Paris will need some small things throughout the school year – some winter clothes, toiletries, etc. I can help with those.

If you wish to help me help Paris, you can send me a donation via Paypal, [email protected], or Jon Katz, Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.