Among other activities this spring, SLI in Harrisonburg participated in the JMU Latinx Student Alliance Celebración Latina plus celebrated its graduating scholars with a potluck and piñata.
Eight SLI scholars graduated from Harrisonburg High School this spring: Hillary (who will attend University of Virginia), Ariana (UVA), Andrea (Eastern Mennonite University), Kristy (UVA), Lindsey (Blue Ridge Community College), Naomi (James Madison University), Keiry (UVA), and Helen (Virginia Tech). In addition, four SLI scholars graduated from Winchester-area high schools.
SLI activities such as offering arts and crafts during the Comite Salvadoreno Paisanos Unidos Festival Hispano provide valuable leadership and community service opportunities.
“I think the biggest change about me that I’ve seen is how much into myself I’ve grown, how much into a leader – and the confidence I’ve grown in the past four years,” said Keiry (HHS ’23, UVA ’25) in an interview, recalling a junior-year experience planning a SLI event. “That was the first time I’ve ever been put in a leadership position without any interference from a teacher. Ever since then whenever there’s anything that needs to be taken charge of, I’m there, and I’ll do it.”
