Sixty-three Americas High School freshmen were initiated into the school’s Libertas Academy during a pinning ceremony on Sept. 28 at the Socorro ISD District Service Center.
Students received pins to celebrate their first step into the advanced academy, which prepares scholars for career and college readiness in law, government, and public administration.
"I want to help people, but I also want to learn more about the law and enhance my horizons," said ninth-grader Rodolfo Garcia. "I'm very excited for the beginning, and I'm excited to see how it goes and excited to have this moment also with my friends and my fellow classmates."
In her keynote address, state Rep. Mary E. González said programs like Libertas are vital to teach young people how to be civically minded and make a difference in society.
"Thank you for the educators who make this possibility happen, the family members who are here tonight, but most importantly for you young students for having the courage, the commitment, and the work ethic to be involved," González said. "So, thank you so much for being here and saying, 'I want to be part of something bigger.'"
The Libertas Academy is the only one of its kind in El Paso and one of four programs in Texas. Students experience the rigor, depth, and intensity of college-level work. They can earn college credit through dual credit and advanced placement courses, develop leadership and public speaking skills, and become more competitive for college, scholarships, and careers.
“We have the law academy program as well as the government program and those two pathways offer a beautiful overview of how law is created through the government pathway and how law is interpreted through the law pathway,” said Amanda Zubiate Stevens, Libertas law instructor.
Students were pinned by friends and family members who cheered them on during the ceremony.
Irma Sunderland became emotional while pinning her daughter Saria Sunderland, who said she felt good about starting Libertas.
“(Pinning) made me feel excited about this program,” Saria Sunderland said. “It feels like an accomplishment.”