Virtual Assembly: A GEAR UP and Latinos in Action Partnership
Freshmen students at Hunter High School in the Granite School District attended a virtual assembly in December, sponsored by GEAR UP and Latinos in Action. At the assembly, actor April Hernandez-Castillo tells her inspirational story, speaking directly with students about their feelings.
Hernandez-Castillo tells students that she sees, honors, and accepts them.
Reminds students that their teachers are working harder than ever before.
Talks about why college is important, especially for women and people of color.
Impassioned plea for students to use GEAR UP, ask for help, drink your water, and be the light.
While shooting the movie Freedom Writers, April Hernandez-Castillo discovered the power of using her voice. She knows all too well what it feels like to have her voice silenced. As a teenager, she found herself in an abusive relationship that not only silenced her voice but came close to ending her life. Hernandez-Castillo uses her life and film experiences to take local high school students on a journey to understand that their voice matters.
Stan Drasutis, site coordinator at Hunter High School, partnered with Elizabeth Anderson, a teacher and Latinos in Action (LIA) advisor at his school. Both Drasutis and Anderson talked with Hernandez-Castillo before the assembly, making her aware of the community and services that the school has to offer students. Around 80 students watched the assembly live, and many more watched the recording posted on the GEAR UP Canvas webpage. Drasutis hopes to continue the partnership with LIA in the future.
During the virtual assembly, Hernandez-Castillo spoke candidly and from the heart to the students of Hunter High School. Her inspirational story is one of resilience, overcoming adversity, and moving forward no matter what life hands you. During the assembly, the students were asked to speak and share their feelings and experiences. They related to her directly.
“You make me feel like you are my favorite tia,” said one of the students. Hernandez-Castillo responds with “That’s it. I’m your favorite tia.... We feel like we’re not alone because we’re not. Right? We're all going through this together, and that’s what I want you all to know.”
She goes on to ask them more about their feelings, reminding them that it is good to ask for help, and that there are resources at their school, like a food pantry. Hernandez-Castillo tells the students that “you have these resources in your school. Use them. You have GEAR UP. You have Tutor.com. Resources at your fingertips. When we are desperate, we make desperate choices.”
“I’m going to go to college because as a woman. As a person of color. As someone who has the right, that education is key,“ said Hernandez-Castillo. “If I didn’t go to college, I wouldn’t have discovered becoming an actor.” Along with this message she talks about her life now and ends her talk with the message of hope that “You all will graduate. You all will go to college, if you decide today. Use GEAR UP. Ask for help. Drink your water, and be the light.”
More information about April Hernandez-Castillo and other keynote speakers can be found at the ImpactTruth, Inc. website.