Cheyenne, Wyo.- In light of DEI program cuts and educational restrictions hope still abounds.
We talked with the Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education officials and has more on an aspirational groups of students.
The Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education or HOPE is going to be celebrating students and education this weekend.
“This is all for the students and celebrating should never be overshadowed by the political environment,” says Rachel Martinez, President, of HOPE.
The HOPE organization is kicking off another year of student scholarship and endowment awards with a reception.
These sixteen student have exceeded rigorous educational and community engagement criteria to win these accolades.
“These students are community leaders in their schools. They are involved, they hold down jobs, they volunteer at their schools in addition they have high grades and amazing accolades, so we’re just really excited to celebrate these sixteen students this year,” says Martinez.
Over the last 25 years this organization has ensured that Hispanic and Latino students can further their education and studies to help support their comminutes and grow Wyoming’s future.
Third year recipient Tatyana Sanchez says this scholarship helps students move into a brighter future.
“I‘ve had family members that have told me about it and have received it in the past. And they help Hispanic people continue their education and it is such a great organization, and it is such a great opportunity as well,” says Sanchez.
These awards will also go to students attending u-w, trade schools and out of states schools.
This, in light of Wyoming’s anti- DEI legislation and educational DEI cuts to post–secondary.
“This environment it has really impacted our specific students that feel targeted but we want to really highlight that these students leaders in the community. They love contributing to the community and we would hope that the Wyoming community would also embrace them,” says Martinez
Critics say that these DEI programs create un- level playing fields and base scholarships on race rather than merit.
“A lot of these students it might be a surprise to some but they are the valedictorians of schools. Last year we actually had 3 of them .So it was really just amazing to hear that and to see that our students are going above and beyond not after but in high school,” says Maria Livermont, Co-Chair, HOPE.
Hope officials also say some student have already established businesses while in high school and want to further their skill set with these awards.
The award ceremony will be held at LCCC.
As an aside during last week’s ICE operation agents said they were arresting people with “serious criminal convictions.”
According to our partners at Wyo-File, at least nine people were arrested with no prior convictions, or they were dui’s and traffic violations..
In Jackson, Alpine and Rock Springs.
HOPE celebrates Wyoming’s Hispanic & Latino students
