You can pray until you faint, but unless you get up and try to do something,
God is not going to put it in your lap.
- Fannie Lou Hamer
1917-1977
As we celebrate Black History this month let us reflect on the important contributions of those who paved the way for us all. I had the great fortune to work for the Fannie Lou Hamer Project in an effort to unite Black and Brown communities with a focus on voting rights. It was then that I had the opportunity to meet people dedicated to creating a better world through their work to enlighten and empower individuals about their voices through their votes.
Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer was the 20th and last child of sharecroppers coming from humble beginnings in the Mississippi Delta. Hamer would live to become one of the most important, and powerful voices of the civil and voting rights movements and a leader in the efforts for greater economic opportunities for African Americans.
In 1964, Hamer’s national reputation soared as she co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), which challenged the local Democratic Party’s efforts to block Black participation. Hamer and other MFDP members went to the Democratic National Convention that year, arguing to be recognized as the official delegation. When Hamer spoke before the Credentials Committee, calling for mandatory integrated state delegations, President Lyndon Johnson held a televised press conference so she would not get any television airtime. But her speech, with its poignant descriptions of racial prejudice in the South, was televised later. By 1968, Hamer’s vision for racial parity in delegations had become a reality and Hamer was a member of Mississippi’s first integrated delegation. (National Women’s History Museum).
Along with her focus on voter registration, Hamer set up organizations to increase business opportunities for minorities and to provide childcare and other family services. She helped establish the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976, Fannie Hamer continued to fight for civil rights. She died on March 14, 1977, in a hospital in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Hundreds crowded into a Ruleville church to say goodbye to this tireless champion for racial equality. Andrew Young Jr., then a U.S. delegate to the United Nations, delivered a eulogy in which he declared that the progress of the civil rights movement had been made through "the sweat and blood" of activists like Hamer. "None of us would be where we are today had she not been here then," he said, according to The New York Times. The activist is buried in the peaceful Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden in Ruleville, beneath a tombstone engraved with one of her most famous quotes: "I am sick and tired of being sick and tired." (The Biography).
It is easy to forget about the challenges of leaders before us. More importantly, it is easy to take for granted those who fought tirelessly to create change so many years ago. We must never forget them - theirs are the shoulders we stand upon. We must educate ourselves and those who come after us about the sacrifices made for our benefit. For the work that was done was not in vein. Because of individuals like Fannie Lou Hamer - we CAN make our voices hear, we can march, we can file complaints, we can protest, creating programs and opportunities to educate, empower and engage. The work may seem insurmountable but we cannot sit by and witness the demise of foundation laid by individuals like Fannie Lou Hamer.
AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute - Board, Staff, Faculty and volunteers ask you to join us in celebrating Black History during the official Month and every day in recognizing the work that still needs to be done to create change in our world. WE must ALL work together so that we can live together, learn together and thrive together in a more peaceful and just society.
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
- Barack Obama
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Did you know that your donation may be eligible for State of Arizona tax credits? State of Arizona taxpayers may claim a tax credit (maximum of $400 for single or head of household and $800 for married) for voluntary cash contributions made during any taxable year to a QCO (Qualifying Charitable Organization). The Arizona State Tax Credit program allows you to donate to an eligible organization and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit against Arizona state taxes owed.
The following are frequently asked questions to ensure you are well informed of this wonderful opportunity:
Q. What is the deadline for applying the credit to this year’s taxes?
A. You can donate and claim the tax credit for 2021 all the way through Tax Day on April 15, 2022.
Q. Why is the tax credit beneficial for me?
A. YOU have the opportunity to tell Arizona where your tax dollars go which reduces your tax bill while investing in your community - OUR STUDENTS through an organization you can trust.
Q. Does every nonprofit have the Arizona Tax Credit option?
A. No. You must meet certain criteria to be approved as an Arizona (QCO) Qualified Charitable Organization. AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute meets those qualifications as an approved QCO by the State of Arizona.
Q. How do I claim the Tax Credit when I file my taxes?
A. You will need to fill out Arizona Tax Form 321, which can be downloaded from the Arizona Department of Revenue website. The form will ask you for a five-digit QCO code. Our QCO Code is 22006.
It is not required that you itemize your deductions to claim these credits. Approved charities as well as specific tax credit information and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website under Tax Credits.
**The information provided is intended as a convenient source of tax information and is not tax advice. Please see your tax advisor to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. **
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Gabriel Serrato
(AGUILA Alum, 2008)
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My name is Gabriel Serrato and I went to Tolleson High School in Tolleson, Arizona. I joined AGUILA in 2008 and it was one of the best decisions in my life. My mom motivated me to always dream big when it came to my professional career, but I always felt alone in my thoughts. I felt this way because I was never surrounded by other students my age that dreamt like me. My first Saturday session at AGUILA, quickly changed that. I was able to meet other Latino/Latina students that were driven and motivated just like me! Hearing their stories along with Mrs. H's motivation gave me what I needed to start and end college on a high note.
For college, I went to ASU because I was able to get a full academic scholarship to attend. This was a huge lift off my mom's shoulders and she was very happy I was able to stay close to home. I made the most of my undergrad experience by joining Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. I made lifelong friends and the fraternity allowed me to give back to my college community and surrounding areas. Through my community service and dedication to my studies, when I graduated I was awarded the Outstanding Undergraduate Award at the Hispanic Convocation in 2011. Shortly after I graduated, I went back to ASU to obtain my master’s degree in business from the W.P. Carey School of Business.
After receiving my master’s degree, my first career was in sports business. I spent some time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Major League Baseball, and the ASU Athletic department. My time in sports was fun but I knew I could offer more to the world of work. The opportunity came as a manager at Target where I lead a team of 30 people. I appreciated that job so much because I increased my knowledge about leadership. I was able to work with my team in meeting their needs that would contribute to their success. It was like participating on a sports team again and that made me feel at home. After some time at Target another opportunity presented itself I could not pass up. I am now a Senior Client Success Manager for the Marcus Buckingham Company, an ADP Company. Through my role I have many responsibilities, but my most important assignment is to help other managers create highly engaged teams that can perform to their highest potential. I love my job because I feel I get to do what I did at Target but on a much larger scale with different companies.
After work I continue to Pay it Forward through coaching. I have coached youth football but now I have moved on to high school where I am currently the Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach at Bourgade Catholic High School. Since college, giving back to the community has always been important to me and I am so happy I can do that through sports. If I could give one piece of advice to all Aguilitas it would be to NEVER GIVE UP and DREAM BIG. You are powerful and you can be whatever you want to be, do not let anyone hold you back.
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Get To Know Benedictine University |
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Benedictine University, also called BenU, was founded in 1887 as St. Procopius College by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey, who lived in the Pilsen community of Chicago's West Side. The monks created the all-male institution just two years after their community began, with the intention of educating men of Czech and Slovak descent. The school moved from Chicago to rural Lisle, IL. BenU is located on a 108-acre wooded campus, 25 miles west of downtown Chicago and 5 miles from downtown Naperville. The college became fully coeducational in 1968.
Today, undergraduate enrollment has grown to more than 3,300 and total enrollment is nearly 10,000. Most Benedictine students are from the Chicago area and Illinois, although 50 states and more than 15 foreign countries are represented.
Benedictine University adheres to the belief that a broad-based, liberal arts education provides students with a concrete foundation for a lifetime of change and is the best preparation for life-long learning. A Benedictine education prepares students to communicate effectively, to reason and make informed judgments, to identify and solve problems, to develop a sense of intellectual curiosity, to pursue and communicate the truth, and to confront and resolve ethical issues.
The BenU student ratio is 12:1. The average undergraduate class size is 14 students (introductory regular courses 21; lab courses 17; regular courses 19). There are 2,718 total undergraduate enrolled with 606 students living on campus. 59 undergraduate majors are offered and nearly 50 student organizations, honorary societies, service groups, cultural associations and a student newspaper.
In 2020, 85% of Alumni reported either working full-time (30 hours or more) or enrolled in Graduate School full-time. Full-time Employment is 71%; Full-time Graduate School is 14%.
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Juniors and parents of juniors - Your child applies to college in less than 5 months! Now is the time to do the research.
Where do you start? Make a list of potential colleges you would like to attend and begin to gather college information. You can: attend college fairs, college nights and speak to representatives from colleges that attend your high school.
Begin to study for the ACT/SAT. The Barron Test Prep books are very good and are available on Amazon or your local libraries. Mark the dates on a calendar for all the upcoming tests: SAT, ACT and AP exams.
Continue your involvement in extracurricular and volunteer activities and seek leadership roles. Make sure to maintain and build your relationships with your teachers because these teachers will most likely be the ones you ask for letters of recommendation from.
Read as much as possible: Expand your outside reading list.
To kick start you into "research mode" sign up for the online WildcatChat! U of A is offering some of the best merit scholarships among public universities in the country! Click on the link below to find out more about the U of A because the time to start is NOW!
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Seniors! The Scholarship Consideration Deadline is March 1st! Act Now! |
The early bird catches the worm! Seniors, most universities have a March 1st deadline if you want to be considered for their specific scholarships! Again, you must apply to these schools before March 1st if you want to be considered for their university scholarships. Time is of the essence! |
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SEUSS-ISMS! - A guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out…and Those Already on Their Way. Dr. Seuss
Be True to Yourself
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You're on your own. and you know what you know. and YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
- Oh, the Places You'll Go!
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From Center for Disease Control(CDC):
Providers across Arizona set to begin vaccinating ages 5-11 against COVID-19
Providers across Arizona are set to begin offering safe, free, and highly effective COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 following this week’s approval by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"Parents already protect their kids against a host of diseases that have been eliminated or all but eliminated thanks to the modern miracle of vaccines,” said Don Herrington, interim director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “Now, we can add COVID-19 to that list for the approximately 645,000 Arizona children ages 5 to 11.”
Parents should check with their healthcare provider or pharmacy for availability before taking children to get the vaccine. Walgreens has announced it will begin administering pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday, Nov. 6, while CVS announced it will begin on Sunday, Nov. 7. More information
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You can help us make a difference in the lives of a growing number of students who aspire to create change through education. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible. |
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