Welcome to the Latino/a Educational Achievement Project's blog! Our blog is a way for us to connect with students and quickly inform you of educational opportunities particular to Latino students in Washington state. This blog will feature guest LEAPster who will write about their leadership experiences with LEAP. They will answer questions and provide advice.

This space is also open to showcasing your poems, videos, essays, photos, or other creative mediums. Let us know about your leadership involvement or tell us about the great work someone is doing in your school/community. For more information on LEAP, visit our website at www.leapwa.org


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Papers the Movie at UW

This last Friday I and, surprisingly a large number of LEAPsters, were present at the screening of Papers the movie at Kane Hall at the University of Washington. The movie featured an excellent set of diverse students in different parts of the country. The movie had a combination of basic information for people who were not as familiar with the topic, statistics, and interviews with the featured students, lawyers, elected officials at the state and national level, and teachers.

Following the movie, a panel of 5 were asked to comment on the movie and discuss this topic from their point of views. Those on the panel were Roberto Gonzalez, UW Professor in the School of Social Work, Jorge Alonso Chehade, a recent UW graduate from the School of Business, Sergio Salinas, President of SEIU Local 6; Siovhan Sheridan-Ayala, immigration attorney who was featured in the movie; and a pastor from the Skagit Valley whose name I did not catch.

There were 3 panelist that I found most effective. Roberto Gonazlez said students should continue their education regardless if they are unable to currently work using their degrees. He shared a story of a young student who was undocumented, who received her Masters in Teaching then received her teaching certificate and 3 days later received her work visa and shortly her permanent residency. His point was: where would you like to be when your legal status changes either due to the DREAM Act or through other methods...with a college degree ready to start your career or barely beginning your education? Jorge Alonso Chehade talked about how his family always commented on his luck and he never thought "can I go to college" but "how far can I go." He spoke of his upcoming deportation and how he plans to fight to stay in this country even in the airport terminal. Most importantly, he encouraged everyone to look at difficult situations with humor. Lastly, the pastor expressed how the most difficult event in his life was when he took 2 children to visit their mother in a detention center and were not allowed to touch her. He then challenged everyone in the audience not to be afraid of their neighbors in seeking their support for the DREAM Act and for comprehension immigration reform.

We thank all LEAPsters who had the courage to ask the panelist important questions. We at LEAP will continue in our efforts to pass the DREAM Act and HB 1706.
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