FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2017 file photo, Somali-American model Halima Aden wears a creation part of the Max Mara women's Fall-Winter 2017-18 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy.

He is also Somali, which places him in a unique position ... “Hudayfi is a working man and he's my role model.” Barsug wraps up his conversation with the boy from gym class.

While not a full immersion model offering all-day instruction in Somali, the elective class focuses on teaching students to read and write in the language. The program is modeled in part after a ...