Socorro High School seniors met with Congresswoman Veronica Escobar on April 3 to discuss various issues impacting their futures, such as immigration, homelessness, Hispanic voter turnout, and partisan divide in households. During the meeting, Escobar encouraged 18-year-old students to make a difference in their community by voting.
“I’m encouraging all of you to get informed about who is on the ballot in November,” Escobar told students in the school’s theater. “If you feel that there needs to be changes in our society, in our country, the best way to make it happen is through the ballot box.”
In front of dozens of students from the school's student government, dual credit economic courses, and Early College High School program, Escobar talked about her career in the U.S. Congress. She spent most of her visit answering students' questions and encouraging them to engage in their community and explore opportunities in public service.
Senior Mercedes López is a member of Escobar’s Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC), and she helped to organize the congresswoman’s visit to the school.
López hoped the visit would encourage her peers to become active citizens and run for office one day.
“We want to encourage our students to continue getting involved with our community and to be advocates (about) what they're passionate about in whatever fields of government,” said López, an aspiring politician who would like to attend college in Washinton D.C. “Sometimes we don't get a lot of representation in our Socorro community, and I want my peers and my friends to know that ‘Hey, if I have a voice, I need to learn how to use it and to advocate for what I believe in and to advocate for more resources to be provided to our community.’”
Students wanted to know what Escobar thought of Texas' SB4 immigration bill, her plans to address homelessness among people with mental health disorders, and her strategies to increase Hispanic voter turnout.
Senior Joel Holguin asked Escobar how students living in politically divided households can exchange ideas amicably.
She responded that people need to do a better job of listening to one another, even if they disagree with each other. Holguin said Escobar’s answer was very insightful.
"That is good advice," said Holguin, who wants to study mechanical engineering at the University of New Mexico in the upcoming fall. "You do have to listen to the other side and listen to the other person's beliefs while keeping your own beliefs.”
Escobar encouraged students to engage in public service and take advantage of the various internships and activities that Congress offers to high school students, such as the Congressional Art Competition and Congressional App Challenge.
In 2023, Mercedes López won third place in the Congressional App Challenge for her Wonder Color App, while Liliana Reza, a senior at Socorro High School, was selected as a winner of the Congressional Art Competition. Her painting was displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. In addition, Fernanda Navarro, a senior at Pebble Hills High School, recently won third place in the 2024 Congressional Art Competition.
Escobar said that these opportunities allow students to learn and grow, challenge themselves, gain more experience, and hopefully, one day run for office.
“There is such a tremendous need in our community for leadership and all of you have that incredible potential,” Escobar said.