At Pa’lante’s celebration of Latino high school graduates last week, a young man encouraged his younger peers:
“Even if you think you’ll never get English, keep trying because you will get it eventually. And keep studying until you graduate, because it’s not that hard after all. And standing here ready to graduate feels really good.â€
The graduating senior speaking these words had overcome the odds by succeeding in a rigorous technology program despite coming from a family headed by a limited-English-speaking single mom who did not have much formal schooling. He was participating in Noche de Estrellas, or Night of the Stars, the graduation celebration hosted by Pa’lante, a Spanish-language youth media program serving the community in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Pa’lante would like to thank the diverse local businesses that helped make Noche a success. They include DJ Fido; Back Alley Bikes; Whole Foods Market; the Hispanic grocery stores and restaurants Johnny’s, Tres Amigos and Taqueria Toledos; Jim’s Famous BBQ; the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group; Twig; the Clean Machine; CYCO Yoga; and many of the vendors at Carrboro’s Wednesday evening Farmers’ Market.
Pa’lante means “Let’s Roll!,†and with the help of our community, our immigrant children are successfully rolling ahead.
Laura Wenzel
Pa’lante