Western Nevada College workshops guide Hispanics to college

Antonio, 17, says it is his "best dream" to go to college. But because he's an undocumented resident, he fears that this dream, like others before it, will pass him by.

"I watched all my friends get their driver's licenses then apply for scholarships and stuff. All of them are going to college," he said. "I wish I could do that. You kind of start feeling left out."

But Lupe Ramirez, director of student services at Western Nevada College, says Antonio may be mistaken.

"They can come to college regardless of residence or status in the country, as long as they graduate from high school," she said. "They can also apply for scholarships in house when no Social Security number is required."

She said students like Antonio often think they cannot go on to receive a higher education. To inform them and their parents otherwise, the college has organized a series of workshops to provide insight into the application process as well as the protocol for applying for financial aid.

"It's for parents and high school students to learn the basic steps of how to become a college student," she said. "We want to clarify any questions or misunderstandings."

Although it may be difficult once they graduate to find a job because they have no Social Security number, Ramirez still encourages undocumented students to apply.

"You want to be a prepared community member," she said. "Once a student graduates from college, there are so many opportunities where he can help."

Antonio knows the standard rhetoric: Go back to Mexico. He's heard it before.

"This is where I grew up. This is where I have my friends," he said. "This is where I built my life. A lot of people don't understand that."

Antonio moved to Carson City from Mexico with his family when he was 10. He attended Eagle Valley Middle School his first year and had a difficult adjustment period.

"You don't really get accepted right away," he said. "You're not able to really do anything because you're not able to communicate with anyone."

Then, "you build some courage," he said, and by the seventh grade he was no longer enrolled in English-as-a-second-language courses.

"You're eager to learn and show these people you can," he said. "I can communicate with anyone now."

Although he would like to apply for citizenship, he said, he's scared he could be sent back to Mexico where he would once again feel like a foreigner.

"They can't just send you back," he said. "This is where you live. You're an American."

Antonio says he'll attend Friday's workshop on financial assistance at the college, and maybe he'll get to live his dream.

"That would be so great," he said. "And I've invited some friends to go along."

Antonio maintains higher than a B average and is enrolled in advanced placement classes. He works about 25 hours a week.

"It upsets me when I see people who are legal and they don't work hard at school," he said. "I tell them, 'You have everything but you don't take advantage of it.' It's like an artist who doesn't paint."

- Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.