THE END OF DACA STRIKES CLOSE TO HOME
Local ‘Dreamers’ like Ana Valladares, fear the end of DACA will affect her more than most.
BRIGHTON Oct. 12th 2017– By obtaining a two year work permit under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Ana Valladares ‘19 was able to get her first job at a local Wendy’s restaurant.
“WHENEVER YOU APPLY FOR A PERMIT YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF AND PROVE THAT YOU’VE LIVED HERE. THEN YOU MAIL YOUR APPLICATION AND WAIT FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FOR APPROVAL OR DENIAL,” Valladares said. “WHEN I GOT MY PERMIT I WAS RELIEVED AND GLAD I WOULD BE ABLE TO WORK AND GIVEN ADVANTAGES TO BUY MY OWN THINGS AND SAVE UP FOR COLLEGE.”
Being under the program gave students hope that they could continue their education into college, according to Valladares. Valladares hoped to pursue a career in the medical field as a surgeon.
”WITH DACA, I FELT LIKE I ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO A UNIVERSITY. I HOPE TO BE A SURGEON, NEUROSURGEON, OR A PLASTIC SURGEON. THE HUMAN ANATOMY AMAZES ME AND I’D LIKE TO GO INTO A CAREER RELATED TO IT,” Valladares said.
According to Valladares, students under this program like herself were struggling to understand what was next for them with Trump’s decision to end the program.
”I FELT PRETTY LOW OF MYSELF, BUT MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY LET ME KNOW I’M NOT ALONE AND THINGS WILL TURN OUT IN A POSITIVE WAY. I JUST HAVE TO HAVE HOPE THAT I WILL HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE TO MAKE MY DREAMS COME TRUE,” Valladares said.
Note: At my home school in Brighton, 60% of our student population is identified as Hispanic. As the Trump Administration began to repeal DACA, our student as well as staff became concerned for some individuals in our populations who’s families who are illegal immigrants. I felt it was important to cover this topic in our yearbook so I sought out to find a student directly impacted in Ana Valladares who was willing and brave enough to share her story with me.
STUDENTS RALLYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Students stand to occupy Bridge Street in downtown Brighton to get voters to support the 3C Bond.
BRIGHTON Sept. 12th, 2015 — THE MAIN CAMPUS of the high school was constructed in 1948, with the CLC being added in 1973. Over the ensuing decades, Brighton’s population has swelled far beyond the facilities’ meager capacity of 1500 students. With over 1800 bulldogs enrolled for this school year, overcrowding was an issue that students could not ignore. Many students raised their voices and advocated for the 3C bond issue.
The 3C Bond was an issue put on the November ballot that raised district taxes to provide the funds for facilities renovation and the construction of four new schools. For weeks in October, a group of about 15 students held rallies outside of City Hall. They held picket signs reading “Yes on 3C” and “We Need More Space.” Jenacie Klinger ‘16 was one students who was consistently involved in the rallies.
“RALLYING GAVE ME A FEELING OF CONTRIBUTION AND EXCITEMENT. WE WERE ABLE TO IMPACT THE COMMUNITY WE LIVE IN, AND WE HAD A LOT OF FUN DOING IT,” KLINGER SAID.
Many students like Christian Morales ‘16 felt as though their education had been devalued by overcrowding, and especially the split schedule. Students often complained about not being able to get classes that they needed or meet with teachers to get extra help because there really wasn’t a before or after school. There wasn’t even a designated lunch period.
“IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THE EDUCATION THAT WE DESERVE, AND WE AREN’T GETTING THAT RIGHT NOW. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO LEARN WHEN THERE ARE MORE THAN THIRTY STUDENTS IN A CLASS?” MORALES SAID.
If the 3C should pass in November, the district’s facilities budget would begin to grow. Improvements would immediately begin on many of the school’s structural issues. For example, Mrs. Kathy Gustad’s door would be replaced to meet fire and safety code. These improvements, according to superintendent Dr. Chris Fiedler, will be able to be traced back to the students who rallied.
“THE RALLIES ARE SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS THE STUDENTS TELLING THE STORY. THEY ARE PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS ABSOLUTELY PIVOTAL ELECTION,” FIELDER SAID.
Note: Students took it upon themselves to become a part of a solution to a problem our community has faced for years; funding. Due to overcrowding, our school transitioned to a split schedule which impacted every student and staff member in our community. A group of student came together to host a peaceful rally to advocate of the passing of 3C. I had only been on the BHS Reflections staff for two months when I was given the opportunity to cover this important story.
Will Satler 