Story Created:
Mar 17, 2010 at 8:15 PM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 17, 2010 at 8:46 PM PST
LYNWOOD — Students at Firebaugh High School may be in for a big surprise when they realize that the maximum capacity of their campus Lecture Hall won’t hold the long list of people who want to attend the school’s annual Marco Antonio Firebaugh Remembrance Celebration March 26 at 5 p.m.
Berli Delgado, a 12th grader and activities commissioner for the high school’s Sueños Club, is still waiting on some RSVPs, but expects to fill the hall’s 300 seats. “We don’t have a back-up plan, but if more show up, we can move into the gym,” she said excitedly.
The Sueños Club works towards fulfilling the late assemblyman’s dream of helping undocumented students attend college.
The late assemblyman, with Abel Maldonado, authored Assembly Bill 540 in 2001, also known as the Federal Dream Act, which granted in-state college tuition rates to illegal immigrants who have graduated from a California high school.
“Marco Antonio Firebaugh did a lot for undocumented students,” Delgado said. “He’s not here anymore, but I believe we should remember people who did so much to help us, to help our communities.”
Delgado said she personally knows students who are graduating from Firebaugh but who cannot afford to go to college. “Through the Sueños Club, we show these students that we are here for them,” she said. “And through this event, we are reminding the community of who Marco Antonio was and what he did for our community.”
With all of Lynwood’s elected officials in tow for the high school’s annual tribute to Firebaugh, Delgado also noted that other elected officials or their representatives have also confirmed their attendance, along with one of Firebaugh’s closest friends, attorney Francisco Leal, whom the club has asked to be their keynote speaker.
Topping off the event’s attendees will be members of Firebaugh’s family, who have also confirmed their attendance.
“This is going to be a pretty special event,” said interim Principal Cheri Tuinstra. “This school was named after this gentleman, so it’s only natural to honor him for all of the work that he did, and for our students to remember him.”
“It’s important for all of us to remember him, not just while we are students at Firebaugh High School, but for the rest of our lives, because he worked hard to try to make our lives better,” Delgado added.
Firebaugh High School has been in the news a lot lately, and not in a positive way, but Delgado, said that none of it has affected students and their dreams of doing well and going to college.
“No one talks about that stuff. I think we’ve moved on,” she said. “My opinion is that we don’t have time to focus on that stuff, we’re focused on our education and on going to college.”
Along with an essay contest for AB 540 students on “Why Do You Support the Dream Act,” this year’s memorial tribute to Firebaugh is open and free to the public. While the club does raise funds throughout the year, Delgado said, that’s not what we’re doing with this event.
“This is a free event for the community. … Our goal is for all of us to remember him and honor him, that’s all,” she said.
Delgado, who is currently deciding between attending UC Riverside or UC Merced, said attendees will be treated to pan dulce, hot chocolate, coffee and performances by Lynwood resident Arturo Lopez and his folklorico dancers, Estampas de Mexico, along with remembrance tributes from people who knew the late assemblyman.
Firebaugh High School is located at 5246 Martin Luther King Jr., Lynwood. For more information, interested people may call Lynn Robles at (310) 886-5225.
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