Students from four district high schools built leadership skills, worked with college admissions officers and earned scholarship opportunities at the National Hispanic Institute’s Collegiate World Series
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
SUNLAND PARK – Nine Gadsden Independent School District students returned from Denver this summer with new college connections, stronger leadership skills and scholarship opportunities after representing the district at the National Hispanic Institute’s Rocky Mountain Collegiate World Series.
Students from Alta Vista Early College High School, Chaparral High School, Gadsden High School and Santa Teresa High School attended the program, which is designed for high school juniors preparing to enter their senior year.
GISD recognized the students during its Aug. 13 Board of Education meeting, where they described an experience that pushed them beyond the classroom, introduced them to college admissions officers and connected them with students from across the United States and Latin America.
District staff told board members that Regis University offered the participating GISD students admission along with $32,000 annual merit scholarships.
“CWS gave us something that a classroom alone cannot — the chance to discover who we are when we are challenged, surrounded by people we had never met and trusted to lead,” one student told the board.
The student said the group returned with stronger friendships, new confidence and a broader perspective on college and their futures.
College connections
Students said the Collegiate World Series gave them direct access to college admissions professionals and opportunities they might not otherwise have encountered.
One student described making connections with students from several states and from countries including Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia.
Another said he was paired with a George Washington University admissions officer, exchanged contact information and continued communicating with him after the program about college admissions and a possible scholarship. Students also received guidance on writing and improving college application essays.
Bryan Duarte of Gadsden High School said the experience went well beyond networking.
“For me, the CWS experience was not just a social and networking experience, it was a very big learning experience,” Bryan told board members.
He said the program challenged students to think more critically and exposed them to rigorous exercises he believes will help prepare them for their senior year and college.
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‘It can change someone’s life’
Jose Antonio Martinez of Alta Vista Early College High School said traveling outside New Mexico also gave students an opportunity to experience a different environment while remaining proud of who they are.
Jose Antonio also highlighted the scholarship opportunity offered through Regis University.
“It can change someone’s life,” he said, adding that the experience had made him interested in attending the university.
GISD’s Federal Programs department funded the students’ participation in the Collegiate World Series.
District officials also credited school counseling specialist Mary Lou Mendoza with helping make the opportunity possible, along with employees who accompanied and supported the students in Denver.
The students recognized Thursday were Angel Hernandez and Jose Antonio Martinez of Alta Vista Early College High School; Jaime Cervantes, Kenia Solis Villagran and Lilli Stiles-Mohammed of Chaparral High School; Bryan Duarte, Vivian Lozoya and Mia Rose of Gadsden High School; and Cyanne Tinker of Santa Teresa High School.
Students encouraged GISD to continue providing the opportunity to future classes.
“Not every student gets a chance to travel, experience a college campus, meet students from different places or challenge themselves in an environment like this,” one student told the board.
“Sometimes one opportunity is all it takes to change the way a student sees their future.”
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
