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STUDENT VOICES
César Chávez Charter Public Charter High School for
Public Policy In 1999 I enrolled at the César Chávez Public Charter High School for Public Policy, where I finished grades 10, 11, and 12. On my first day there, I met Irma Salcido, the school's founder. Everything started with Ms. Salcido's dream. She had a vision and a mission. Her vision was to foster young people so that they could make their country a better place in which to live; through their influence, better solutions for their communities could be produced. She allowed her students to participate in what's known in English as "public policy" while studying in school. Her mission was to make the public policy resources in the nation's capital concrete to students. Chávez challenges its students to be successful not only in school, but also in life. The school uses topics of community interest not only to instruct, but also to provide students with direct experience in the organizations that work with such issues. César Chávez was and will continue to be a good school. In the three years that I attended "Chávez," I experienced everything—good and bad, advantages and disadvantages, and highs and lows. One of the best things that I remember were the meetings we had when I was at the White House, where I had the opportunity to work with the people whose job it is to resolve community problems or to create public policy. Another high point, which became a low one, was the thesis that I presented in grade 12. I wrote about undocumented students and federal financial aid. Also something good, or another high point, was learning to write in paragraphs in a formal structure. I learned many things about undocumented students and their education. It became bad, or a low point, only because I had to revise and revise my work, only to be told to start all my work anew. Thank God I finished the thesis in time to graduate. I believe that "Chávez" taught me a lot, especially
about writing a thesis. When I compare the thesis with my work in college,
I realize that, in reality, my thesis was not too much work. That was
only the beginning, when I discovered the strength that is needed to
overcome any obstacle. I am now certain I can change those rocks, or
obstacles, into pebbles of accomplishment.
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