September 18, 2011
Board of directors: Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Jaime Maldonado, Gipson Lyles
“Our students and families have an important role in history…to be mature leaders who will bring about much needed change in our communities.” I wonder if Vivanna Trujillo, then director of testing and accountability knew just how powerful this message was. I wonder if she knew that just four years after the 2006- 2007 C-Harv yearbook was published the very same leaders she spoke of would be knocking at her door bringing about this much needed change. It’s ironic isn’t it? It should be of no surprise to the school administration that the alumni would be so concerned about the state of our school, they taught us to love and support our school, and that’s what we intend to do.
As a 2007 graduate is saddens me to see the condition of our school. Blood, sweat, tears and love went into the development of our home. It has been invaded by the unjust. I cannot comprehend why anyone would consider the state of our school to be in any way, shape or form acceptable.
As a student of CHCS I was harassed and robbed by gun point by local gang members on the very same street they are letting their students wait without supervision. So knowing what could happen why are they putting their students in jeopardy? Is it not important to them, when I attended Community Harvest we were all children of our directors, with that being said they certainly would never let me along with my classmates wait for a bus without any supervision so why let our current students.
I have been apart of CHCS since day one in fact I was with the school while the current administrators were still teaching at New Roads LaCienga campus. Since day one teachers and student alike have worked hard to build and support our community. What other school can you name that you could partake in hair braiding, martial arts, ceramics, and sewing. We had massive Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and even had students record on a CD. Our teachers were passionate about their students they cared about their personal lives as well as the academic side. Can you say that about all of the current teachers?
Community Harvest was different, our walls were filled with love, honestly, respect, and commitment to make a difference. The school we once had unfortunately has been ripped apart. The values we shared are no more, but there is still hope. There is still time for us to make a difference in our community. Still hope for us to grow a new crop and harvest the fruits of our labor. I thank you for wanting to be involved in this process. And in turn we ask very little from you, in fact all we ask is that YOU GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF OUR SCHOOL!
Community harvest and its family shaped me into the person who I am today. When I began my journey I was scared of what the world had to offer , but my teachers, my extended family showed me that anything was possible, and that my deepest fear was the I am powerful beyond measure. At graduation I was announced as Beverly “always got something to say” Hawkins because I always stood up for what I believed in and challenged anything I felt was unjust. I never gave up in life and the goals and love and support that I have received for the last 12 years of my life will continue to grow. Many of my former teachers have been with me more than half of my life. I could still go to them right now and they would be willing to listen. I want every student who attends Community Harvest to be able to share this same experience. We didn’t work this hard to let our school go downhill. We will continue working and continue in our Movement until we get what we want. All the time, love, support, courage, and wisdom that went into our school. will once again go into getting back our school. Hear me when I say this we will get our school back! As one of my favorite teachers would say Viva la Revolucion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Beverly D. Hawkins
Beverly D. Hawkins Class of 2007
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