Helping Others Succeed

Helping Others Succeed
by Brandy Kraiprai
Staff Writer, The Dixie Blog


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L.I.A, also known as Latino’s in Action, is a school program that lets high school students help elementary children that have a hard time learning because they don’t understand English very well.

The Dixie High students have the honor of working with East Elementary, teaching the kids how to read, write, and play games that will enhance their English. The program is intended to make both the tutor and student have a better future, increasing both of their chances of having a better life. Studies have shown that if you have a better reading grade, you’ll understand the work you’re given, which makes a huge difference in how you’ll do in high school.

The way Mr. Myers accepted students in the program was tiring and a very long process. “The guidelines to get accepted into the program are based on attendance and GPA. 

Principal Bergesen, Mr. Simmons (counseling office) and myself looked at and reviewed on several occasions the applications and the qualifications of each applicant.  We looked up historical grades, and attendance. More emphasis was placed on how they are doing now in school. I am not sure how many people applied.  I do know that there were a lot. There are 28 students in the class at this time.”

Colleges are more likely to accept students who can speak more than one language so that they can communicate with a bigger variety of people in the business world, which is why Dixie students involved in the program would be helping both themselves and the children, giving them a better chance at getting more colleges.

“For me and for my parents, I want to help other people with their future cause I know how it was struggling with two languages. I want to do it, representing where my family came from.” Odaly Plancarte , a Dixie Sophomore, explained about wanting to be in the program.
 

There were many students who applied for the program, but only a handful were chosen based on their grades and on who  Mr. Myers thought would be a good role model for the children to look up to.

L.I.A isn’t a program you would stereotype as all work, no play; it’s a program where the participants get to find fun ways to teach the children better ways of learning how to read, write, and enjoy school.