Guests at the Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) Meet & Greet in Harrisonburg listened and applauded as SLI scholars and alumni expressed heartfelt thanks for two SLI program directors whose contributions have also included serving on the organization’s board of directors.
The March 27 gathering at El Sol Mexican Restaurant brought together students, educators, board members, supporters, and more to celebrate the nonprofit’s mission, which is to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships.
The event also provided space for honoring Carlos Alemán, PhD, a professor of communication studies at James Madison University, and Hannah Bowman Hrasky, an AVID teacher at Rocktown High School. Their more than 25 combined years of service as SLI program directors is continuing, but their terms on the SLI board will end this year.
“As board members, Carlos and Hannah have helped shape SLI’s college access mission and kept the board focused on what matters most: the students we serve,” said Brook Vazquez, who spoke on behalf of the board. “Their service on the board has shown how to place students at the center of our work, and it is also a constant reminder that SLI is more than just a scholarship program.”
SLI is a collaboration with high school and university faculty, staff, and students to offer out-of-school, college access programs for high school students (“SLI scholars”) in Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester. With support from its donors, SLI creates college scholarships, tech grants, and other financial assistance opportunities for SLI scholars and alumni.
“As students work with Carlos, they learn more about the day-to-day life of university students and come to better understand the pressures they will face in higher education,” said Vazquez. “Hannah’s work with teaching SLI scholars how to apply for financial aid has enabled many of Harrisonburg’s SLI scholars to attend prestigious institutions, and those staying closer to home have graduated from college with less debt than they would have had without Hannah’s support. Carlos and Hannah were influential in bringing SLI to this region and have been its strongest supporters and advocates for over a decade, and their mentorship to other board members has guaranteed the growth of SLI.”
Privately funded by the SLI community of support, since its incorporation in 2012 SLI has served 223 scholars (67 current and 156 alumni) and awarded students more than $917,300. This year is “SLI’s Million Dollar Año,” when the organization anticipates passing the $1 million mark in total awards to students. SLI alumni have attended 29 colleges and universities, many as a direct result of Alemán and Bowman’s work.
“Hannah and Carlos, I didn’t write a speech because I feel like having known you both this long, I can truly speak from the heart,” said Dulce Alonso, a Harrisonburg SLI alum who is now an English as a Second Language teacher and SLI program director at Harrisonburg High School. “When I was in high school you both were mentors and now it’s a privilege to get to stand beside you both as your colleague. After high school, I went off to George Mason University on a full-ride scholarship and was the first in my family to graduate from a university. I couldn’t have done that without you both and now that I’m a mother, I sincerely appreciate being debt-free. Thank you both for all of your hard work throughout these years and the difference you all have made in our lives.”
Current SLI scholars as well as alumni and mentors at the Meet & Greet also shared words of appreciation for Alemán and Bowman.
“I found out about SLI from my older sister,” said Reina, a high school senior. “She is in college right now, and she’s still receiving guidance from Alemán and Miss Bowman. They have taught me many things, and I’m truly grateful for all their help with my whole college process.”
Another senior, Lucinda, who has four younger siblings following in her footsteps, said that without support from Alemán and Bowman, “I don’t think I would have been able to reach my full capacity.” Their help with the process of enrolling in college for this fall kept her on track, leaving her “at a loss for words” and feeling “really grateful,” she said.
“Miss Bowman has helped me out in a lot of ways in my life,” said Leonardo, a high school junior who is a student of Bowman. “Without her, honestly, I would have given up on school a long time ago. She is always there to support me, whenever I don’t feel like doing anything in school. Dr. Alemán always has words to encourage me, and like wise words that I often tend to take home and think about all the time. Without both of them, I wouldn’t be as far as I am in school and life as I am now.”
SLI “gave me a place of belonging,” said high school junior Joaquin. “Freshman year I didn’t really do much clubs and anything, so it was definitely a change from doing nothing to learning and talking [at Saturday SLI events]. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone.”
SLI alum Elizabeth said that Alemán and Bowman “held us accountable for stepping into a place and owning it, and also for making sure that we’re there to do our best and bring it on and represent our community.”
After graduating from JMU, Elizabeth traveled with the Fulbright program to Mexico, where she taught English for a year. Now a JMU employee, Mary “always loves” reconnecting with SLI. “I just want to say thank you so much for all your work and everything that you’ve done, and all the advocating that I know that you guys have done behind the scenes for students like me.”
High school students in SLI participate in mentorship opportunities with students at JMU, and two of these mentors also shared about Alemán and Bowman.
“Bowman has truly impacted me in my life,” said Julieanne, the vice president of the JMU SLI Mentors organization. “I was one of her students in junior year [of high school], and I’m just so glad to still be connected with her after and support the scholars with as much support as we can, as mentors. Carlos Alemán has truly been a funny and most wonderful person to work with and has truly seen a lot of potential in me that I never expected in me, and I’m very excited to work with them for the next year in future events.”
Alemán and Bowman “motivate everyone,” said mentor Yadiel. “Thank you for your hard work. It’s really inspiring, and you really show the passion you have.”
As small tokens of appreciation, Alemán and Bowman each received a SLI zippered hoodie.
