Students from McAllen ISD’s Lamar Academy were invited by the Texas Council on Family Violence to attend Capitol Day on February 20. This is a day used to inspire legislators to support funding for vital services and policy measures to create a safer Texas.
The students, who are in the International Baccalaureate Programme based at Lamar Academy, created a “proposal” to present to legislators as advocates for change in both stigma and funding.
At the event, the students listened to stories from survivors and met Chief Executive Officers from the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) and Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA).
“They made quite an impression and I am incredibly proud of them,” Lamar teacher Vivian Tamez said. “They saw first-hand that one really does have the power to create change.”
Pictured at top are, left to right, Lamar IB student Chennah Kim, student Adrian Villegas, survivor and advocate Mariah Gardner and student Tra Pham. Not pictured is student Gouri Menon.
Above, the Lamar IB students stand with Geoffrey Hovatter (Capitol Director for Texas Representative Terry Canales) and Diego Perez (former IB student and aide to Mr. Canales). Below, the Lamar IB students stand with Samantha Urive (former IB student and aide to Texas Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa).
