Thread: Migrant students honored for excellence

So we are paying for extra educational programs for them too???

Migrant students honored for excellence
By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
Article Launched: 04/01/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


AUSTIN -- One day they will be doctors, lawyers, teachers and engineers, but, for now, about 40 students honored Monday at the University of Texas at Austin, are field workers who excel in high school despite the transitory life of migrant work.
Luis Lopez, a junior at Burges High School, and Jesus Ortega, a junior at Fabens High School, were two of the students recognized for accomplishments through the UT Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program. It allows migrant students to take extra courses so they can graduate on time.

"This is what hard work gets É it brings happiness to my family," said Lopez, 18, smiling and displaying the gold medallion around his neck.

Nearly 100,000 migrant students enrolled in Texas schools in 2006, according to Texas Education Agency data. The students spend part of the year in Texas and part in places like Nebraska and Illinois, working the fields.

Statewide, about 1,700 migrant students are in UT'sdistance-learning courses.

In the winter and summer, Lopez works picking chile and onions in Las Cruces and Clint. Now, he works at a fast-food restaurant, takes his regular classes, plays soccer and is active in his church.

"He's a pretty neat kid who knows what he wants," said Jose Luis Olivas, migrant education program technology specialist for the Region 19Education Services Center.

Lopez said he plans to attend the University of Texas at El Paso and become a computer engineering.

Jesus Ortega, 17, harvests tomatoes in California with his mother each summer.
When he started at Fabens High School two years ago, Ortega was a year behind. He caught up despite not speaking English well, improved his language skills and earned credits to graduate on time.

His father, Jesus Manuel Ortega, didn't get to finish high school in Mexico and beamed with pride in his son.

"He's very intelligent," he said in Spanish.

Jesus Ortega said he wants to earn a master's degree in mathematics and hopes to become a software engineer.

Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com;512-479-6606.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_8764625

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