Seven young people graduate from Juntos 4-H

Photo by Diane Drekmann Pictured left to right, co-director Aaron Abeyta, Rudy Valdez, his mom, Soraya Martinez and Rachel Large participate in the Juntos 4-H graduation on May 16 at the Justice and Heritage Academy in Antonito.

ANTONITO — Juntos 4-H had its graduation on May 16. The six-week program was being offered at the Justice and Heritage Academy in Antonito. Three of the seven Juntos graduates were also graduates of Justice and Heritage Academy — Zaia Salazar and Lexie and Leah Romero. The other graduates were Rudy Valdez, Rachel Large, Soraya Martinez, and Frankie Allen.

The focus of Juntos is to increase high school graduation rates, especially in the Hispanic population, and help students remain on the road to higher learning. Family involvement is key to a student's success.

Juntos — meaning together — is open to grades 8-12 and will be offered again next year.

The Justice and Heritage Academy share a similar vision, teaching life skills and the importance of family support.

Carol Gurule is the Colorado State University SLV Area Extension Juntos 4-H Specialist who teaches the course. The theme was, "What is the next step after high school — go to college or work.” Juntos can help students "bridge the gap."

Before the graduation ceremony, the students were challenged "to build the strongest bridge in 7 minutes." There were two teams with various items to build a bridge between two chairs.

One team used an open stapler reinforced with cardboard and duct tape. The other team used a lot of masking tape, paper, and duct tape. Both built strong bridges which held when weight was placed upon it.

Gurule asked the students the purpose of the exercise. Large said, "It was a metaphor. You can do what you put your mind to."

Gurule added, "(This) teaches you to think outside the box and to work together as a team. You don't have to have privilege. Because of what you went through — that will make you resourceful and see you through. Should you put all your eggs in one basket? Or just a little.?"

Gurule added that "five people on your resource list can help you for the future."

Yvette Atencio was the keynote speaker. She began by saying as a child she worked on a farm and worried about food, electricity, not having enough money for school supplies. She "made bad decisions and got into fights. But never give up. (She) started college at 38 years old and 4 ½ years later is about to graduate with a BS in Human Services. (It takes) hard work. You're never too old to chase your dream. Mistakes don't define your future. Who do you want to be?"

Atencio asked the students, "Where do you want to go? You can and will accomplish many things. Stretch out your hand and work together."

Students shared the benefits of the Juntos program.

Large said, "You learn stuff."

Leah Romero said, "(We're) going through the same things with our people."

Lexie Romero said, "The inspiring real-life stories. (They) have been in the same place. Hope if they can make it, so can you."

Valdez said Juntos "prepares (him) for college."

Salazar said, "(Juntos) shows you what to expect after high school." 

The students brought a potluck dish and said why they chose that dish. One brought a traditional favorite dessert dish, with macaroni, mandarin oranges, and pineapple. Another person brought red chili, representing, "us as a people." There was also chicken salsa and beans.

The graduation ceremony was after dinner, with the presentation of certificates. The Juntos program will continue again next year.

The Justice and Heritage Academy is open through the summer, providing activities for building leadership skills, learning gardening skills through their greenhouse.