Annual LULAC Council 8003 scholarship and student of the month banquet 080418

: Category: Front Page News Front Page News; Published: 14 August 2018 14 August 2018

[Editor's Note: Thanks to Sandra Michaud for recording the banquet and taking photos for this author to write from and post.]

Photos by Sandra Michaud; Article by Mary Alice Murphy

LULAC Council 8003 of Silver City held its 34th annual scholarship and student of the month banquet on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, with the theme: Together we rise: Igniting activism to transform communities.

Fred Baca moderated the event. Rev. Paul Moore, a recent recipient of a Ph.D., serves as council president.

The event opened with a flag ceremony led by the Vietnam Veterans Color Guard Chapter 358 and participants were led in the opening LULAC prayer by Ora Rede. WNMU Provost Jack Crocker welcomed the group.

Baca introduced the featured speaker as Juan Garcia, deputy state director of LULAC, as an expert in immigration, DACA and Dreamers. "He has served as a national vice-president of LULAC and as past president of Young Adults. He belongs to a council in Alamogordo, where he mentors young adults. He suggested we have a chapter here at Western, since it is a Hispanic-serving institution. He was also a two-time LULAC national educator of the year."

Garcia said he would talk about how activism can change a community. "When you wake up every morning, you don't think about activism. Your Lord, Jesus, was an activist. This country was born of activism."

He said when he was in high school in San Antonio, Texas, a counselor called him in and said tests he had taken showed that he would make a good welder. "I told Mom and she said the 'familia' would love me, because 'you could make them good grills.'"

In 1970, it was normal for a young man to get married or join the military. "I joined the Air Force. A nice-looking air-girl, I guess you would call her, said she was going to take college classes, so I decided I would, too. She dropped out, and I was going to drop out, too, but the professor told me to stay in class, so I did. I caught the education bug. I look back on it, and I did pretty well for a welder (to laughter from the audience). When I started my BA, I paid the tuition, but couldn't afford books."

The university called him and said he had received a scholarship from LULAC, so "I bought my books. I went on to get a masters and a Ph.D."

"About 15 years ago, I was speaking at a LULAC event and saw a good-looking woman," Garcia said. "So LULAC gave me an education and a wife. It's been quite a journey.

"Let's talk about transformation," Garcia said. "LULAC started in 1929. It didn't matter if you were a citizen or an immigrant. If you were Hispanic, you were dirty. In 1929, you could not go to university, couldn't vote, because of the Jim Crow laws. You could not be a juror."

He said LULAC took the Hernandez versus the state of Texas lawsuit to the Supreme Court, winning the right for Mexican Americans to serve on juries.

"It's still the case with the Supreme Court that attorneys have only 15 minutes to argue a case," Garcia said. "The LULAC attorney argued the case so eloquently that Thurgood Marshall gave him 10 more minutes. It gave jurors of all colors and genders the right to serve on juries."

He reported that in 1929 Latinos could not own a home. "As part of an assignment at the University of Texas, San Antonio, we were told to go and look at deeds. Many of them said: 'Do not sell to Latinos or Blacks.' We could only rent, not own. Latinos could serve in the military, fight and die for our country, but we couldn't own our home or vote. LULAC will not stop being active on behalf of those oppressed. We will continue to serve people."

Garcia said the new slaves are called DACA (Deferred Action of Child Arrivals). "A company, if it didn't want to, didn't have to pay them. The government said the children couldn't stay without their parents. So, they created Deferred Action for Parents of Americans. DACA recipients can now pay in-state tuition. They used to have to pay international tuition," Garcia alleged. "If they don't break the law, they can register as an in-state student and cannot be deported. They can travel within the U.S., but not to another country. DACA recipients can work. They are the kind of people the Statue of Liberty is welcoming. We need hard-working people from any country."

He said Dreamers are not the same as DACA. [Editor's Note: Although DACA recipients are often called Dreamers, DACA is a temporary solution that former President Obama signed as an executive order and could be undone by presidential action, as President Trump has attempted. The DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) would require passage by Congress and be signed into law by President Trump. Once in law, it would be permanent, as it could only be undone by congressional action.]

"How many more Juan Garcias have missed out on an education?" Garcia asked. "My father and my uncles served in the military and love our country."

He alleged that Latinos are being vilified "again. We are being called rapists and criminals, so people can justify hating us."

"Always be active," Garcia said. "If I get pulled over, and I don't get pulled over often, Juan Garcia is not a Ph.D. Juan Garcia is just a Mexican. We are being vilified – Mexicans are invading drug dealers. I go to Juarez, I haven't had problems. The people are so friendly.

"I cannot reinforce enough for you students that are you are the cream of the crop," he continued. "Because you will have a college degree. But if you're on a dark road and a police officer pulls you over—I support police officers. They have a tough job. But there are bad cops, just like bad nurses or bad doctors. Bad ones are in every profession. There are bad cops, but the difference is they have a gun and you're a Mexican. Always be active, join LULAC, and most of all, vote."

He said the people say they don't want to vote, because they don't want to serve on a jury. "That's over, they go by driver's licenses today. Be active. You can never tell when someone is going to say – 'He's a criminal.' Go to YouTube and see how many people are attacked for speaking Spanish. Be active, especially the students. Be active in a peaceful manner. It is paramount to look at policies. I hope I gave you a message to always be active and follow your dreams. We're all in this hall, dreamers. Always be active, always be dreamers for the new slaves, the DACA students. Muchísimas gracias."

Moore thanked Garcia for his inspiring words. "Did you know that 3 percent of the undocumented are violent criminals, but 6 percent of U.S. citizens are violent criminals? So, it's safest to live among the undocumented."

Baca also thanked Garcia for the inspiration. "I didn't know we had DACA students at Western until I checked. WNMU needs to make sure it's safe for them."

He recognized the members of the Scholarship Committee, Helen Maldonado and Frances Vasquez, in addition to Baca, Rede and Moore.

"We're so proud to see Dr. Abeyta here," Baca said. "His daughter is getting our first scholarship, sponsored by LULAC Council 8003 and First New Mexico Bank. I remember when he got a scholarship."

Zoe R. Abeyta said: "I am so honored to be one of the recipients. It means a lot to me for LULAC to provide me this scholarship. From the time I was young, I was taught the only way to succeed was through hard work and education. I try to challenge myself."

She will attend New Mexico State University, where she will play volleyball and pursue a degree in psychology. "I already have a taste of college like. This summer I moved to Las Cruces and started summer school and practices. I have learned time management is a very valuable skill. It was definitely part of adjusting to wake up at 4 a.m. for practices, to manage my eating and sleeping. We practice again in the afternoon, and I also have to do homework. It is important to never let anyone embarrass the work ethic out of you. I thank my family for supporting me, and I thank LULAC and First New Mexico Bank. I will do my best to represent the community well."

Baca said each scholarship recipient gets a certificate from the national LULAC, from the local council and a gift bag from Western New Mexico University, put together by Jean Springler. "If not for the cooperation from Western, we couldn't do this event."

The next scholarship was named after the founders of the LULAC Council 8003—Apolonia Sierra and Donna Tracey. "It was predicted the council wouldn't last long, but this council has survived and thrived. The community is very supportive. The scholarship will be given to Jalyassa D. Benavidez who texted me that she would be unable to attend."

"The next scholarship is named after my wife, Lynn Godoy Baca," Fred Baca said. "She served over 10 years as president of the council."

Angelina R. Bencomo, a graduate of Cobre High School, thanked Baca and the Council for the scholarship. "It will be put to good use. I will attend Doña Ana Community College to become a dental hygienist, then I will attend the University of Texas at El Paso to get my bachelor's degree. I was in the honor society for two years and received a DAR award. I graduated No. 3 in my class. I plan to stay focused and accomplish so much more. Thank you to the council and to my family."

Baca said he was impressed by the students. "They come up here to speak. You show a lot of courage. I'm impressed with your oral skills." He said the next scholarship was named after Vangie Montes. "She's been very ill, but she still was in charge of decorations to follow our theme. This scholarship goes to Serena Castillo of Silver High School. Her mother is a LULAC member and is bingo manager. Her grandmother Helen Maldonado fixes the best chili in town."

Serena E. Castillo thanked the members of LULAC, including "my grandmother. I want to thank my loving family for pushing me to achieve my goals even when I didn't want to. I will start at Western on Aug. 20 and pursue a career in nursing. I want to become the head of ER somewhere. Please give a round of applause to all the recipients and members of LULAC."

Baca said the next scholarship was named after the late Art Jackson. "He was an up-and-coming young man but passed away early in his career as an educator. This recipient, Zaige A. Perry, asked to have many members of her family here. It made me think she's proud of her accomplishments. Every student getting a scholarship has earned it."

Zaige Perry said she is attending Western to get a bachelor's degree in nursing. "I have enjoyed every class so far and what I have experienced at college. I had to find a way to be comfortable studying for multiple subjects. I figured it out. My goal is to pass all my classes. I have succeeded so far with a lot of studying, study groups and showing up to class. I love my career path because all the classes are interesting, intriguing and creative. I'm excited to finish this last year of required classes toward being a physician. I want to be a successful candidate for the next step in my career. I've had an amazing time at Western. I've had the opportunity to meet many along the way, which allowed me to be part of many groups. Another experience has been serving lunch at the Gospel Mission every Saturday. I am giving back to the community. Being at Western makes me comfortable with the career path I have chosen. I am happy and excited to excel. Western has been a part of making me a happy student."

Baca said the next scholarship, named the Bernice Treviso Memorial Scholarship, for Treviso who recently passed away in Colorado Springs, will go to Alexis R. Vasquez who was unable to attend.

The following scholarship was the Robert Treviso Memorial Scholarship, who was Bernice's husband and died less than a year ago. The recipient Domilyse R. Armijo was unable to attend. "She's in Carlsbad and is doing well at UNM."

The 6th annual Fred R. Baca scholarship, named for him, he said "humbles me. I am proud to give it to Marciano A. Diaz who is not here."

The Mike Montes/WNMU Memorial Scholarship was named after Mike Montes who contributed so much to the council and also comes from Western. "It will go to David Montes, who is in Florida, and is almost finished with a degree in nursing."

The Manuela Baca Jenkins Scholarship award is named after Fred Baca's sister. "It will go to Sherelle N. Rodriguez, who just graduated from Silver High School."

"I was born and raised here and have played many sports from basketball to softball," Rodriguez said. "I've been a part of the Silver High School championship softball team and will continue playing softball in Prescott, Arizona. I will work on a degree in physical therapy. My father received a LULAC scholarship. This will help me with my financial requirements."

Frances Vasquez, chairwoman of the Student of the Month program, said she relies on the Silver High School and Cobre High School counselors to nominate students.

"The first one goes to (Robert Ezekiel) 'Zeke' Marquez," Vasquez said.

"Thank you for honoring me as a recipient," Marquez said. "I will be a senior and I compete in wrestling and cross-country, as well as volunteering with youth wrestling. I want to major in forestry. I worked with the Forest Service this summer. I'm grateful for this scholarship."

Matthew Kennedy was the next student of the month. "I recently graduated from Silver High School. I was involved in the National History day and all athletics. I won second in pole vault at state. I have maintained a 4.0 grade point average and was salutatorian of my class. I will attend NMSU studying mechanical engineering, and I hope to pursue a master's degree also."

Serena Castillo also was named student of the month. "I recently graduated from Silver High School, where I served as student body president, went to Washington, D.C. for National History Day, was in the National Honor Society and received an academic letter."

From Cobre High School, Jimmy Rico and Emmarie Ryan were named students of the month, but did not attend the banquet.

Alex Guljas said it was the first time he had spoken before a crowd. "I thank LULAC and my former principal, Frank Quarrell. I will miss his smile and handshake. I am going into my junior year at Cobre High School. I took four honors classes this year. I try to do the best I can academically. I do cross-country and track and play in the band. As of last year, as a sophomore, I was third in my class, but that could change. I appreciate the honor."

Baca thanked the counselors at Silver and Cobre high schools for helping them out with the recommendations for students of the month. "The counselors do a lot. They are loaded up with testing. These are important awards for our council."

"I'm proud to honor Rudy Dominguez as the Man of the Year from our council," Baca said.

"I'm very honored," Dominguez said. "It's always great for me to see Hispanic citizens rising up and making significant difference in the community. That is achieved by seeing the good in others. Tonight is a perfect example to honor our academic recipients."

Baca called up his granddaughter, Brianna Fischer, who designed the program.

"I have had the most amazing grandfather for my 24 years," Fischer said. "I'm pleased to award the LULAC State Special Woman Award to my grandmother, Lynn Godoy Baca. She has lived in Grant County her whole life and received a BS in accounting from Western. Her daughter Frances is my mother. She has two grandchildren, I am one along with my brother Seth. Now my grandmother has served 31 years as an administrative assistant at the Sheriff's Office. She has been a member of LULAC for 30 years, with over 10 years as president. She also served as treasurer, deputy treasurer, New Mexico LULAC treasurer and other state LULAC offices. At present, she is New Mexico LULAC secretary. She has been selected Council 8003 Woman of the Year, District 3 Woman of the Year and state Woman of the Year. In 2015, she was inducted into the New Mexico LULAC Hall of Fame. In addition to this council, she has served with Women Aglow, Democratic Women of New Mexico, AFSCME 2516, HMS La Vida, juvenile drug court and is a member of Beta Sigma Psi."

Lynn Baca thanked LULAC for selecting her as woman of the year. "It's always exciting to be selected by your peers. I thank everyone from the council for selecting me."

The next award was for State Educator of the Year 2018. Baca asked Frances Vasquez to present the award.

"I would like to introduce Karisse Ann Moore," Vasquez said. "She is a special educator teacher at José Barrios. She has also taught in Texas, Ecuador and is totally bi-lingual. She was selected here to go to district, then her portfolio was presented to the state where she was selected LULAC State Educator of the Year 2018."

Moore said she has been involved with LULAC for many years. "I started in Weslaco, then in Killeen, Texas and now here. LULAC has always been a champion for education. I thank Frances for putting together my portfolio. My husband, whom I call 'Bunchy' has been there for me. I'm known for spending a bit too much money at the beginning of the school year. He has put me on a monthly budget for the year."

She thanked the parents "who trust your children to me for eight hours every day. It is an honor to receive your precious children and with the help of God and the help of others to raise these kids to an education. Thank you to my co-workers, who give me their best ideas. They help me every day."

Baca thanked the sponsors, which included First New Mexico Bank, First American Bank, WNMU, the Vietnam Veterans Color Guard, Sodexo for food preparation, music by Michael Acosta, table decorations by Vangie Montes and banquet preparations by WNMU's Jean Springler.

"First American Bank offered a scholarship, but we had to award a scholarship in Carlsbad, because not enough students apply," Baca said. "They don't want to do the paperwork. Just do the paperwork, and we would be happy to honor you with a scholarship."

He commended WNMU for giving LULAC the banquet. "Dr. Shepard has never refused us anything."

Baca then passed a basket for donations to put back into scholarships and to defray costs.

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Annual LULAC Council 8003 scholarship and student of the month banquet 080418

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