Across the Bridge

THEY ALL CAME FROM NEARBY, from the high schools, the hills, and this Valley. As it often does, the Valley figures into the narrative. And the people in the narrative were not all kids. Adults figure in as well.

The program began with music performed by ÉXITO's Counselor, Ana x Gutierrez Sisneros and musician David Garcia.

Provost Tony Sena mentioned the El Puente Garden, planter boxes sown eight weeks ago with corn, beans, squash, and tomatoes. “You guys,” said Dr. Sena “are like those plants that have grown in that garden,” beginning as seeds and transforming into mature plants. “Now it is the beginning of something else; you will move on from El Puente into the next phase, which is the First Year Experience.”

DO THE NUMBERS

Math Specialist Amy Flores spoke next. She praised El Puente participants as “these 36 brave young men and women” who, over the eight-week intensive, built a foundation of basic skills to prepare themselves for their freshman year at Northern. Flores was followed at the podium by student Tara Martinez, who said, “After attending the program I am more confident in my math skills.” Incoming freshman Suzanne Elliot also spoke: “I wanted to improve my life…congratulations to all of us for choosing college.” 

WRITE IT DOWN

Dr. Patricia Trujillo, along with Deborah Begel and Jessica Bryant introduced three writing students, each of whom spoke, and read from their personal essays. The students’ essays were gathered into a chapbook for distribution to friends and families and around the Española and El Rito campuses.

“The world needs our perspectives,” stressed Trujillo. Emphasis was placed in these classes on empowering the students and letting them experience pride in being from the area served by Northern.

Tomas Velasquez, a Vietnam veteran whose daughter Heather also completed the program, spoke first: “My future was a long time ago, but here I am again.” His essay about getting lost in the mountain wilderness during a hunting trip begins: “One would think that a veteran of the Armed Forces would not get himself lost too easily. You would probably think also that a soldier that is not in combat would have very few things to fear. Not so…” 

Marissa Maestas spoke of the responsibility a student takes on when starting college—and the ways in which it differs from high school. “No one,” she said, “is forced to do anything in college. It is up to the student. This taste of college has shown me so much.”

The third speaker was Candace Vargas, who is also an accomplished singer: “I am no longer ashamed of my community. I am not ashamed to sing in front of the world. The Bridge taught me the beauty of my community. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will make me stop my dreams for a higher education, thanks to the Summer Bridge Program.”

CELEBRATION AND NEXT STEPS

After certificates were awarded, the students and their friends and families were treated to a catered reception and live music by Northern’s own Elijah Trujillo.

According to Terry Mulert, Coordinator for El Puente and First Year Experience, the majority of the students have now been placed in Freshman-level math and English courses and virtually all of them have advanced at least one grade level. “Eight weeks ago when we first started together, we were all a little nervous,” he said at the ceremony. “ But now we are comfortable with each other. We planted a garden, studied math, wrote essays, shared meals, and took a field trip.”

It was obvious that the students felt admiration, respect and affection for Mr. Mulert and for the instructors. And this is only the beginning of the journey for these students.

During their freshman year, they will experience intensive support from faculty, staff, and their fellow students. Clearly the student-to-student interaction has been positive for these 30 freshmen-to-be. They exhibit a sense of camaraderie and self-confidence imparted by their experience–and that will serve to carry them through their first year of post-secondary education.