Celebrating the Legacy of Cesar E. Chavez
- Dr. Richard L. Biffle, III
- Mar 25, 2018
- 2 min read
“We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation.”
-Cesar E. Chavez
On Thursday morning, March 22nd, the 12th Annual Scholarship Breakfast, celebrating the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez was held at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA. The event was sponsored by the Southwestern College Chicano Latino Coalition and attended by over 200 people.
In an article written by Adriana Catano, she states: “Cesar Chávez – along with Dolores Huerta and fellow organizers for the United Farm Workers (UFW) union – dedicated his life to improving working conditions and wages for the workers whose backbreaking labor nourishes the United States. Born on March 31, 1927 in Yuma, Arizona, he and his family toiled away in the fields and were migrant farm workers during the Great Depression. Chávez first learned about unions in the late 1930s. But it wouldn’t be until 1962 that he’d begin the National Farm Workers Association – which eventually merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to form the UFW – with Huerta.” His accomplishments and contributions to our nation were shared throughout the morning – presenting thoughtful and thought-provoking ideas that emphasized the importance of investing in “human capital” as the country moves forward.
The scholarship breakfast included welcome comments by Dr. Angelica Suarez, Vice President for Student Affairs. Special recognition awards were presented to Norma L. Hernandez (Governing Board Member and former President of Southwestern College) and Gladys Castellanos Barrett (Professor Emeritus) for their years of service, leadership and mentorship to students, faculty and staff of the college, as well as the community of Chula Vista and San Diego. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the eight 2018 Scholarship Award Recipients – students from diverse backgrounds and in many sharing that they were the first in their families to attend college. Each student provided a brief presentation and their comments provided moving testimonials to family support and sacrifice, teacher and staff encouragement and assistance, and the “drive” to pursue educational opportunities and career goals.
It was heartwarming to be part the “scholarship celebration” and witness the unconditional love and support from leaders and representatives from the educational, political, business, and local community. I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Cesar Chavez that seem to capture the morning celebration: “Real education should consist of drawing the goodness and the best out of our own students. What better books can there be than the book of humanity?”
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