Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
"Working toward economic, social, legal and political equality for Hispanics in Idaho"An Equal Opportunity Employer
Latinos in the News
- Jesica Flores and Sonia Montreal
- Mary Lou Lopez
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Sonya Rosario
- Brook Garcia
- Norma Pintar
- Farm workers Appreciation Day
- Terry Ruelas
- ICHA's Executive Director, Chair, and Vice-chair with Idaho's Governor, C.L. "Butch" Otter
Erica Littlefield
Times-News correspondent
Jesica Flores and Sonia Montreal have had a busy summer.
This spring, the two College of Southern Idaho students were elected CSI student body president and vice-president, respectively, and it is the first time two Latinas have led the student government.
Flores and Montreal have been working all summer, preparing for the new school year and getting ready to implement new programs and events. Montreal said the student government at CSI has become more diverse over the last few years, and she and Flores are proud to be part of that change.
"We come from different places," Montreal said. "We have different values and different opinions, but that never hurts. It always adds something to the table."
Flores, a 21-year-old from Elko, Nev., studying international relations, and Montreal, a 20-year-old from Meridian studying social work, both served in the CSI Student Senate before running for executive office. Flores said she initially ran for the senate for the chance to meet other students and have a say in what happened at the college. This spring, Flores and Montreal decided to run for president and vice-president to have an even greater impact.
"I'm a student, too," Flores said. "That is my first priority. I want my voice heard, and I want other students' voices heard, too."
The two young women went through a week of intensive campaigning together - hanging posters, posting lawn signs, making T-shirts and handing out pencils, pens and fans. They also made presentations to CSI clubs and organizations. Flores said many of their friends helped them campaign, and they had the support of their families.
"We had a lot of people rooting for us," Flores said. "We want to do them proud."
Flores and Montreal have big plans for this year, and they make a dynamic team. Flores said she is the best at organizing and logistics, while Montreal is better at working with people.
"Bringing us together is great," Flores said. "She has what I don't have, and I have what she doesn't have."
One of Flores and Montreal's major goals is to help CSI go green by starting a recycling program and other environmentally friendly practices on campus. Flores believes the students and staff will respond positively to their ideas.
"Once you educate someone, it's hard for them not to care," Flores said.
They also plan to continue to expand some existing programs like Change for Kids, a fundraiser for a local child in need, and Abriendo Caminos, an outreach program for local Latino high school students.
"We're excited to get people here and get people working on these things," Montreal said.
The new student leaders realize they are in a position to be role models for other Latinos at CSI and in the community. Montreal hopes their work inspires other Latinos and shows them what can be accomplished with a little hard work - and lots of campaigning.
"If we can do it, you can do it," she said. "I want to feel like I left a little mark that will be recognized. A lot of Latinos are succeeding, and we're proof of that."
Mary Lou Lopez joined the State Department of Education on July 2 as the Migrant Education Coordinator. In her role, she will oversee Migrant Education programs in Idaho. Mary Lou has 10 years of experience working with children in the classroom. Most recently, she served as an elementary and ESL teacher in the Vallivue School District. She holds master’s degrees in bilingual/ESL education and educational leadership. Mary Lou can be reached at (208) 332-6958 or MLLopez@sde.idaho.gov
The "war" Idaho Forgot
"Idaho's Forgotten War" is a fitting title for a documentary trailer being screened Saturday at the Flicks. Most Idahoans today don't know the war ever happened. "It's a story that needed to be told," Sonya Rosario, the film's director, said. "If it wasn't, we could have lost this incredible voice and part of the history of Idaho." The "incredible voice" is that of Amy Trice, chairwoman of North Idaho's Kootenai Tribe during the last Indian war declared against the U.S. government - in 1974. The film tells "the true history of the Native Americans, not what's in the history books," Trice said. "It shows how the people live and what we've gone through and how our land was taken with no compensation."
The film that will be screened Saturday is actually a 15-minute trailer. The final version, Rosario said, will be about 75 minutes and should be finished by fall. She said she had met with PBS representatives, who were "impressed with the trailer and sent a letter saying they were interested in showing it in Idaho and maybe nationally."
Picture and lines are from Idaho Statesman , May 22,2008
Caldwell teen rescues boy from flames after car crash
After witnessing crash on I-84 Thursday, the Caldwell student busted through a window to save the 3-year-old.
When Brooke Garcia saw a vehicle roll over and burst into flames on Interstate 84, the Caldwell teen simply followed her instincts and pulled a toddler from the burning wreckage. "I just remember thinking, 'I have to get this little boy out,' " Garcia said.
"Our (troopers) said if she didn't get there as soon as she did and get the child out right away, it could have been a disaster," Idaho State Police spokesman Rick Ohnsman said. "She saved the boy's life."
The woman driving the vehicle died at the scene of the crash.
On Friday, Garcia was still shaky from the night's events, while fellow Caldwell High students and friends called her a hero and the boy's angel.
"I really didn't think of it as being a hero," Garcia, 17, said. "Anybody who sees a little boy couldn't sit there and watch."
"I would do it again," Brooke Garcia said. "That's just me."
A day after, Garcia was still taking in what happened and realizing the danger she faced.
"I'm just kind of in awe," she said. "It feels good."
Picture and lines are from Idaho Statesman , May 1,2008
Vision Charter students experience Mexico through dance
Dancer Norma Pintar demonstrates "Las Chiapanecas," a traditional Mexican dance, for Vision Charter School's Fiesta de las Artes. Pintar spent a week with the school teaching fourth- and fifth-graders polkas and Jalisco dances, while other students studied the murals of Diego Rivera.
Madisynn Carpenter and her fifth-grade class dance as they were taught by artist-in-residence, Norma Pintar.
Picture and lines were from Idaho Statesman
Farm Workers Appreciation Day
Andy Rodriguez and his son Andres grill burgers Sunday at the 11th Annual Farm
Worker Appreciation Day celebration at Memorial Park in Caldwell.
The day is designed for the farm workers' enjoyment. It's a special day for them to come and be catered to, instead of them catering to us.
Picture and lines were from Idaho Press Tribune
¡Felicidades Terry!
On behalf of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs we would like to congratulate Ms. Terry Ruelas on her most recent achievement in 2007.
We are confident that she will be very instrumental in building a strong partnership with our community in addressing Hispanic issues at the counseling level.
She has demonstrated a valuable dedication in placing our cultural needs as a priority when addressing community Hispanic issues.
It is important to increase our efforts to diversify and increase the cultural sensitivity at the state level.
We are very proud to have her as one of our scholarship recipients, she has demonstrated the interest and compassion in providing services that are culturally appropriate, and which address a population that is underserved and most in need of services.
We are appreciative her commitment to the needs of our population.
The picture was from Boise State University
ICHA's Executive Director, Chair, and Vice-chair with Idaho's Governor, C.L. "Butch" Otter
The picture was taken by Mr. Yzquierdo, ICHA's Chair