* High school senior writes winning Ruben Salazar essay

To mark the release of a U.S. postage stamp in honor of reporter and columnist Ruben Salazar, The Times sponsored an essay-writing contest at Ruben Salazar Continuation High School in Pico Rivera. The students were asked to assess Salazar’s legacy and lasting influence. The winner, senior Janine Perez, 17, is pictured below. She will receive a $500 scholarship and her school will get $1,000. *(An earlier version of this post said Janine would receive a $100 scholarship. Her scholarship is for $500.)

This is her essay:

Being of Mexican American decent has never been much more than two ethnic terms clumped together to define me on paper for surveys and job or school applications.

I am not trying to oversimplify my heritage but rather demonstrate how I have taken it for granted. I had never really paid much attention to the leaders within my culture and community who have paved the way of justice and equal treatment in school.

Without much thought, my peers and I enjoy the rewards afforded to us by Ruben Salazar. Ruben Salazar was a man with a vision and hope for civil justice among all people, especially among his culture in mainstream society. He fought for the unjust treatment of Mexicans and desegregation in schools, parks and public institutions. His untimely death in 1970 has not overshadowed his legacy. He was a big part of the Chicano Movement, a social movement to provide equal treatment for Mexicans in Los Angeles during the 1960s.

His participation created controversy and attention by his opposition, which some researchers may argue could have led to his untimely death by a police officer, who had shot him in the head, during a march in 1970. His strong commitment to ensuring civil equality not only for his “people” but also for others who had been discriminated against, stereotyped, segregated, and civilly mistreated has echoed over time, more importantly, provided a small dominant Mexican American community, Pico Rivera, an alternative school for struggling students like myself.

After learning more about Ruben Salazar I have a better appreciation for my school and for the commitment to making positive changes for his culture and the multicultural communities surrounding me. Prior to attending Salazar High School, I had attended two other high schools just doing the bare minimum to get by. Further, I was seriously unmotivated, lacked interest in my education, and felt disconnected to my teachers and the learning material.

All I knew was that I needed to pass the high school exit exam or not graduate. That was a new kind of pressure I had not experienced, which made me almost consider dropping out of school. However, my last stop in El Rancho Unified School District was a small school named Ruben Salazar Continuation High School. Honestly, most of my “party friends” had attended Salazar High School. So, I associated the school with everything else but acquiring a meaningful education.

However, when I realized that my initial perception of Salazar was not accurate, I knew the possibility of graduating was real if I applied myself at Salazar High. Interestingly, the teachers at Salazar were there supporting me and the rest of the students, which I had not anticipated.

I have been attending Ruben Salazar for two years now. Within that time I have made a complete turn around in the right direction. I have joined the Associated Student Body and become more interested in my education and, more importantly, my future. Honestly, I had not even considered life after high school until I actively participated at Salazar High School.

Contrary to what people think of continuation schools, my experience has been positive and worthwhile. Not only have I gained new skills but I have also matured as a person, which I largely owe to the teachers and staff at Ruben Salazar High School.

If I could say one thing to Ruben Salazar today I would thank him for paving the way for young students who needed another chance in life. I truly appreciate where I am today and I attribute much of my success in school to the effects of Ruben Salazar’s vision that he had on my culture as well as my community. I can proudly say I am a Mexican American who was given another chance in life and truly appreciate the opportunities provided to me by those who had not been as fortunate.

Comments

[Laura]

Janine, congratulations on such a well written essay and your awards. I too am Mexican-American, a mother of three youngsters, and although I don't know you personally, I feel a sense of pride in you because you seem to have come leaps and bounds over whatever adversity you were facing. I pray that young adults like yourself, continue to walk on and more so, continue to pave new paths for the younger generations of Mexican-Americans in this country such as my children. I recently went back to school and am taking a Chicano History class and have been surprised and saddened to learn of the discrimination our people have suffered throughout this country's history. I too, never really took any sincere interest in our culture past the pinatas at my birthday parties or the menudo on Sunday mornings, among many other things I've taken for granted over my 30+ years, until now. I now have so much to teach my children and you have so much to share with your peers! A gift I'm certain you've always had within you is now awakened!! Make the most of it young lady! I know you can and will!!

[Daniel]

I'm impressed. I really enjoyed reading your essay. Our people have a long and noble history. Congrats!

[Francine]

Janine, job well done!!!

[Tabs4959]

Very nice. Ruben Salazar would be proud of you. God Bless You.

[Hector Baca]

Janine,

Congratulations on your very inspiring essay. I was fortunate to have been able to attend the LA Times event on Tuesday honoring Ruben Salazar and to hear you read your essay. As an employee of the US Postal Service it gives me great pride to have honored this great man. Much more needs to done and accomplished in this country to gain equailty .