in this issue >>>
Educational Fellowship in London
We’re on Facebook
Our Amazing Students
TTM & RP
GOAL Academy Continues to GROW
Winter 2013
GOAL ACADEMY—Colorado’s Premier Online Blended High School
GOAL POST
NCLR Opportunities for
GOAL Student & Families
GOAL Academy Student OPENING for TEDX
By Alejandra Basquez, GOAL Academy Student
*Editor’s Note: Alejandra Basquez was the
subject of a Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
Digital Story Solid Ground. Ale was asked to
present her video at the TEDx Crestmoor Park
ED presentation: The Education SPARK.
This live, interactive event in October 2013
showcased dynamic speakers discussing topics
including; interaction between academics and
physical fitness, dropout prevention strategies,
and additional ideas related to education. Visit
http://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10165 to learn
more.
The National Council of La Raza
sponsored a Congressional Forum on
November
6,
2013
hosting
Congressman
Jared
Polis,
Congressman Ed Perlmutter, and
Congresswoman Diana DeGette. The
panel participated in a community
discussion about how to move
comprehensive immigration reform
(HR15) forward in the U. S. House of
Representatives. Local NCLR staff
invited a GOAL student to address
Colorado's House members. Jesus
Saul Lopez Benegas was afforded the
opportunity to ask the Colorado
Congressional delegation a question,
"Si llega la dia que el bill se pasa,
cuanto tiempo va a ser para nosotros
aqui en Colorado para ver el efecto que
NCLR Opportunities Continued on Page 6
My name is Alejandra Basquez. Not too
many people get the chance to
introduce themselves to others, much less
introduce themselves on a broader scale
such as the GOAL POST. For a long time I
had this vision; I wouldn’t be known for
anything. I was surrounded with people
that pointed this out daily. They predicted
my life based on reflections of their own
lives.
This was a repeating cycle in my life,
seeing one's future hurting because those
before me taught me there wouldn’t be
nothing more than what is present in the
here and now. Those who are part of my
life were playing a role that destroyed
others rather than help others.
I didn't want to be the victim. I aspired to
reach the top, view what's greener on the
other side. Before I got there, I felt like the
first step was to be heard. Letting people
know that whatever struggle people are
going through or whatever struggle
people want to overcome, that no one is
alone. Not while I have a voice to tell my
story.
The opportunity to tell my story, having
others know my story, is an amazing
feeling. I was able to take ownership of
something that “I” did. Not letting
anybody speak for me or try to live for me;
getting a chance to do it on my own was
a chance to really get to know myself,
instead of feeling like I didn't know the real
me because people set these roles and
expectations on me. A moment of clarity
provided by PBS gave me an opportunity
to use my own voice.
[Presenting at] TEDx was a great
opportunity to get recognition of what I
put together. Seeing others reactions after
viewing my video was very heart
warming. I felt accomplished in getting
my point across. TEDx holds this door that
leads to opportunities, giving people the
chance to speak on behalf of social
injustice, things that accrue to not only
ourselves but as a community, & as a
society.