El Rancho High School DACA Rally
September 18, 2017
El Rancho High School students won’t let the White House repeal protections for young undocumented immigrants without a fight. Instead, they’re speaking up. Students from the school’s Teen Court, MEChA and Social Justice Club banded together to organize a rally Monday in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the Obama-era program that grants work permits and delays deportation for nearly 800,000 young immigrants in the U.S. While President Donald Trump announced he would phase out the program earlier this month, El Rancho High School students spoke about how the program has benefited the country since it was first implemented. One student was Pilar Ornelas, a senior who came to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 3 and is a DACA recipient. She said DACA gave her family hope for the future. “I face many challenges as a DACA student, but what I’ve endured does not compare to what my parents have struggled with to be as successful as they are today,” she said. “DACA has given my family and I a hope for a brighter future — a future that allows me to continue in this country.” Another DACA student, junior Jeniffer Miranda, said the repeal sends the message “that I should go back to where I belong.” But, Miranda added, “what they don’t know is the last time I saw that place was 17 years ago.” She’s never known any other home than the U.S. “The place they say is my home never celebrated my birthday or saw my first steps, because I came here hoping for a bright future,” she said. “But that bright future is getting its lights turned out.” Senior Maria Domingo is facing the same dilemma. “It is frightening to see your future dangling from a string, having you worried sick, wondering if the dreams of becoming an engineer you had as a little kid will come to an end,” she said. Community members who showed up to the rally included the school’s principal, El Rancho Unified’s superintendent and representatives from the offices of Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Norwalk, and Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Downey. They all spoke about their support for students like Ornellas, Miranda and Domingo. “At El Rancho Unified School District, we are making the commitment to stand by each one of our students, including those that somehow will be affected” by the end of DACA, said Superintendent Karling Aguilera-Fort. “We believe that this nation is built by, with, and for immigrants.” He said he will work with staff and administrators at all levels to make sure undocumented students are protected. The students themselves appreciated that message and said they will continue to fight for their futures in this country. “I am proud to be who I am,” Ornelas said. “And I won’t give up fighting for what I believe in.”
Safe Schools Resolution
March 2017
The El Rancho Law Society created a resolution to help protect the rights of all individuals in Pico Rivera.The resolution is intended to protect the constitution-al rights of all Pico Rivera residents, using the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 14th amendments against the unconstitutional actions or requests for information by the federal government. Our city is already a sanctuary city but this proposal would extend the security and protection to the students enrolled at El Rancho Unified School District.The nominated proposal is mainly to ensure focus of lo-cal law enforcement agencies on their core public safety mission by limiting their surveillance, intelligence collection, immigration enforcement activities, and ensuring transparency into potential discriminatory profiling. The resolution was presented to both the El Rancho Unified School District at the school board meeting and the Pico Rivera City Council meeting. Immediately after the resolution was presented a petition was created showing the impact the resolution made on the student’s at El Rancho High School and how it was needed. On February 21st the El Rancho Unified School District approved a resolution based on the recommendations made by the El Rancho Law Society and are now working on implementing it. This resolution will benefit those in the Pico Rivera community and give a sense of safety back to the students. The last step is waiting in hope of the City Council approving it and making sure all parts of the resolution is enforced.
Pride of the 58th District
Jan. 27, 2017
Alexis Hernandez has been serving the youth of Pico Rivera since the young age of 16. Alexis first began serving our community as a founding member and organizer of the El Rancho High School Teen Court which serves the neighboring cities of Whittier, Norwalk, Downey and Santa Fe Springs. Since joining the teen court program, Alexis has assisted over 5,000 youth to become informed and active citizens through their participation as jurors to the court. In 2014, his success resulted in becoming the statewide chairman of the California Association of Youth Courts.
Alexis’ accomplishments expand beyond the teen court program and into the youth voter education, information and registration program. Now 21 years of age, he sits on the board of the El Rancho Teen Foundation and the San Gabriel Youth Citizenship Project.
Mr. Hernandez’ ambitions, intelligence, and accomplishments make him highly deserving of the #Pride58 award.
Alexis’ accomplishments expand beyond the teen court program and into the youth voter education, information and registration program. Now 21 years of age, he sits on the board of the El Rancho Teen Foundation and the San Gabriel Youth Citizenship Project.
Mr. Hernandez’ ambitions, intelligence, and accomplishments make him highly deserving of the #Pride58 award.
From El Rancho Teen Court to the White House
September 30, 2016
On July 19th two El Rancho Teen Court Club officers had the opportunity to attend the “Beating the Odds Summit” at the White House. The summit invited 130 student leaders to the White House guest from all over the country and Puerto Rico. The El Rancho Teen Court officers also represented Generation First Degree, a scholarship program supporting first generation Latino students attending college. The teen court students were fortunate enough to hear Michelle Obama, Tyler Oakley and Jidenna talk about their college experience and hear their advice. Karen Lopez and Biane Arias (seen in the photo) served as Teen Court President and Vice President in the previous school year. Arias and Lopez are two aspiring Lawyers and consider Judge Wesley, Mr. Elias, and Mr. Alexis Hernandez their role models. During the previous school year, they were constantly working hard to make El Rancho Teen Court “Model Teen Court in California”.
Ms. Lopez’s career path was heavily influence by Teen Court. In a student testimonial Ms. Lopez said the following; “I am currently a freshman at The George Washington University, planning to major in international affairs and political science. Teen Court is the main drive behind my desire of making a significant difference in my community. El Rancho Teen Court puts value on teens' judgement and intuition; allowing them to experience the valuable involvement first hand, it allows for teens to see the crucial difference they are making within their community. The El Rancho Teen Court developed me into a leader, a leader within my own community and built my dreams and goals to eventually attain a law degree.”
In addition to Ms. Arias also gave her testimony; “Teen Court helped me realize that I want to pursue a career as district attorney and be involved in politics. I really enjoyed the networking opportunities’ that teen court provided for such as the Women's Conference at Stanley Mosk Courthouse. At this conference I was inspired by the testimonies of all female attorney, judges and commissioners. In addition, the past two summers I had the opportunity to attend the Teen Court Summit and I was able to attend very interesting workshops which helped with my development in the courtroom. Teen Court also, helped me develop networking skills. In many teen court events and conferences, I met amazing individuals who I am constantly emailing about advice.”
El Rancho Teen Court Incorporates Foreign Exchange Students to the Courtroom
February 2016
Such as every month, Teen Court sprang into session with its members ready to try any troubled juveniles on February 3rd.This month’s cases involved a young girl charged with petty theft and a young man charged with possession of cocaine.The young female was given 50 hours of community service as the judge and jury viewed her as an honest person committing a mistake. The young man, however, was given 145 hours due to his attitude and the degree of the actions perpetrated by the minor. The young man also shared with the court his unhealthy relationship with his father and throughout the session showed signs of disrespect and made it very evident that he did not want to be there. These actions also played a role in his charges. The jury decided to send him and his family to counseling in hopes of bettering their relationship. During this session, foreign exchange students and teachers from China participated in the jury and observed the court process. The pupils and teachers discovered Teen Court through the school’s website and were welcome to be a part of the February session. Many El Rancho students and community members came to witness the meeting. Members of the crowd were allowed to participate in questioning the defendants and speaking out their view of the cases.