INSPIRED MIGRANT
STUDENTS DECLARE,
'YOU CAN DO IT!'

Most of the 83 migrant students who attended the State Student Leadership Program (SLP) Conference swarmed to the center of the large meeting room in a giant group hug, joining in a chorus of: "Si, se puede! (You can do it!) Si, se puede!" 

Then their chant evolved into, "One more month! One more month! One more month!" -- referring to the students' desire to stay longer.

Emotions were thick during the closing rally. Time and again students would break into tears as they tried to express their appreciation for staff and fellow students, only to be surrounded in another group hug.

"We just want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Blanca Diaz told leaders. "You taught us a lot."

"We won't ever forget you guys," another student added. "You've had a big impact on our lives."

"I learned something I'll never forget, to be persistent and not give up," said Lilian Guzman, who wants to become an obstetrician.

"Thank you so much for your counsel," said another student. "I'm going to continue forward. I know that. 'Querer es poder! (Desire is power!)"

And another said, "The conference taught me to pursue my education."

The SLP uses a combination of large-group presentations, small-group activities, service projects, recreation and mentoring to help migrant students learn key principles of success.

"SLP focuses on supporting migrant students to build relationships, make decisions, solve problems, develop action plans, communicate, become involved in their schools/homes/communities, and motivate others," explains Linda Roberts, Director of the Secondary Education for Migrant Youth, in charge of the program.

"The ultimate goal is to ensure that migrant students graduate and set post-secondary goals," she adds.

The state conference often is the first time in the students' lives that the migrant students have an opportunity to learn skills that will allow them to guide the outcome of their decisions, they feel a part of a group, they take responsibility for their actions, Ms. Roberts says.

"Students experience -- mentally, physically and emotionally -- the impact of having support from educators and having someone believe in them," Ms. Roberts explains.  "The SLP changes lives in subjective ways. Participants go home and help their siblings more, open dialogue with parents, become involved in clubs, improve their grades, etc. 

"SLP state conference students graduate at 80 percent, compared to the 50% national migrant student graduation rate," Ms. Roberts says. "Teachers, parents and other educators comment on the positive change in students."

Students were asked to suggest what they learned at the conference in the form of a theme.

Potential conference themes suggested by students include: "Overcome problems step by step." "Together we can." "Visualize, decide and act." "Dream your way to success."

"It's good to know they get it," one of the founders, Bill Hansen, told the Migrant Education News. "They come in so self-involved, but now they really get it."

Many of the most dynamic student leaders were nominated to run for the position of student representative to the Migrant Education Program's State Advisory Committee (SAC).

Several expressed a desire to be on SAC to help fight for all graduates of Washington schools to qualify for in-state tuition -- including undocumented students.

"Whether you have papers or don't have papers, you work hard," said Lupe Hernandez.

Another student choked up as she admitted she might be blocked from achieving her dreams. "I'm not sure if I can go to college because I don't have papers," she said.

"The future is not in the fields but in computers. So we have to get our education," said candidate Nelson Robles of Moses Lake. "Education is important. I want to represent you because I know you can do it,"

SLP Program Facilitator David Rodriguez announced that Robles and Guadalupe Hernandez from Eastmont were the top vote-getters. Both names have been submitted to the SAC for final selection.

"It took a lot of courage to stand up in front of everyone, and it will take a lot of courage and a lot of what you learned here to represent students on the State Advisory Committee," Mr. Rodriguez said.

Putting together such a life-changing conference for migrant students is not easy.

"Quality staffing is essential to the conference," Ms. Roberts says. "Recruiting and training staff presents a challenge because educators and community representatives are busy. Gaining release time from school is difficult. Once recruited to participate, making time to receive adequate training remains a challenge."

Mrs. Roberts says during SLP training, staff finds the time is well worthwhile.

"Staff gain valuable facilitation skills and experiences that help them to grow professionally," says Ms. Roberts. "After staff have participated in the conference, they say they apply the skills they developed in their schools and workplaces and return to future conferences. Experiencing the conference is as rewarding for them as it is for the students."

As the final rally came to an end, Ms. Roberts told students to plan to come back a few years down the road as staff. A number of staff volunteers this year had gone to the SLP first as students.

The idea for the SLP was launched in 1986 by a small group of state officials. First conference was then held in 1987 at YVC with Linda Roberts, Kenneth Fox, Bill Hansen, Jim Rigney, and Raul de la Rosa among the staff.

It received national and state recognition as an exemplary program serving disadvantaged youth in 1989. Many SLP participants who have gone on to successful careers credit the program with having a major influence on their lives.

"The skills students develop through the leadership programs are designed specifically for the mobile migrant student to help them to be successful in navigating school and social systems," Ms. Roberts says. "While developing these skills at the conference, they learn how to associate them to their everyday lives -- current and future … and oftentimes is the essential ingredient that enables the student to succeed.

"One can't put a price on internal changes that occur within individual students -- changes that make the difference between graduation and dropping out, 'success and failure,' becoming a productive citizen and lifelong learner or not, reaching potential or not," she adds. "The SLP simply provides the 'Opportunity to Succeed.'"