Category: Vol. 21

Sun Catfe open for business

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By Edgar Gonzalez, Staff Reporter

The Suncatfe which is now open is a new place that will offer students more resource to get food on main campus said Norma Cervantes, Suncatfe department manager.

It is open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm and Fridays from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm and is located between the SSC and MS building,

“What we sell here is pretty basic but we do have a lot more variety than the SRC building café and we are still bringing in new food,” she said.

Some of the new food choices that will be offered in the Suncatfe include hot dogs, corn dogs, and pizza, she said.

They do not cook any food but the food comes in freshly pre-made, Cervantes said.

“Dion’s for example brings us food daily and they are made fresh in the Dion’s down the street and brought to us fresh every day,” she said.

Most of the variety of snacks offered at the SRC café will be served at the Suncatfe but there are some exceptions such as the Starbucks specialty drinks which are exclusively sold there, she said.

“I would encourage students to come and check it out and keep visiting since they are bringing in new products on a regular basis,” Cervantes said.

The style of this building is very nice and it is much more accessible to many students in MS, KC, and the rest of the buildings located around this area, she said.

“We are also hoping to get more frizzy drinks which is similar to an ICEE I would say with different flavors,” she said.

The Suncatfe’s opening date was delayed since some of the machines and equipment did not arrive on time, Cervantes said.

“The new store makes it very convenient for students who have classes on this side of campus to get things to eat and I like that a lot since summer is coming up,” said Pre-Health Science major Jose Rascon.

The nearest restaurant is very far and it is a little inconvenient for students to walk there, he said.

“I’m planning to go to the Suncatfe very often now that the summer is about to start, especially for the drinks,” said Abraham Gonzalez Business Administration major.

Alumni Spotlight: Vincent LaVolpa

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By Guadalupe Santos-Sanchez, Managing Editor

Vincent LaVolpa is the owner of Green Joe Coffee Truck and a CNM alumni who has led an eventful life and is soon to add author to his list of accomplishments that started when he first enrolled at CNM.

“My story began at CNM and that’s kind of cool,” LaVolpa said.

LaVolpa dropped out of Highland High School and soon after enrolled at CNM to receive his GED.

He then enlisted in the Army but not before receiving a certificate in Call Center Operations from CNM, then TVI, he said.

He did a tour overseas in Iraq and Germany, and a year after returning home, enrolled again at the CNM paramedic program.

“I was an EMT basic, I had no experience and I was the only one in my class that they let through with no experience,” he said.

He worked for the Albuquerque Ambulance as a paramedic until 2013 and after was a lead paramedic at MD Urgent Care, he said.

He also went on to get his bachelor’s degree at UNM in the same field, he said.

“It had been about 10 years at that point that I went from the combat field to the emergency medicine field and I was just tired of kind of seeing people kill each other,” he said.

LaVolpa wanted something different, so the thought was to open up a coffee shop, he said.

He had been working as the operations director of a local nutrition fitness company 70 hours a week, 6 to 7 days a week, he said.

“It paid well but I never got to see my wife and it was just a mess, so I remember having the conversation with my wife, very specifically saying, I think I want to open a coffee truck,” he said.

Green Joe in Italian is the Guiseppe Verde, and the Guiseppe Verde was a transatlantic passenger ship that made voyages from Italy to Ellis Island and brought his grandfather to this country, he said.

“So I named the coffee shop after that vessel because that was the vessel that he used to follow his American dream, and this is the vessel that I’m using to follow my American dream,” he said.

LaVolpa gave the truck an Italian feel with the canopy, the shutters, and the red and white checkered floor, he said.

And the whole idea behind the old newspapers on the ceiling of the truck was to have a little bit of America’s history up there, he said.

“The whole concept behind this was to follow your dreams basically, which is a big jump sometimes, it’s not easy to leave a steady paying job,” he said.

The coffee truck does deliveries for staff, they can text LaVolpa their order and location, he said.

They give discounts to teachers and staff, public service, prior and current city of Albuquerque employees, all medical staff, social workers, volunteers, and single parents, he said.

They serve free coffee to Purple Heart veterans and cancer patients, he said.

“I think if someone can take a bullet for the country or go through chemo and radiation, they deserve a cup of coffee on me,” he said.

The Green Joe Coffee Truck can be contacted at 505-385-2663 and at the website http://www.greenjoecoffee.com.

The e-book will be up for sale on the website, iBooks, Kindle, and a couple other e-book platforms, he said.

“I’ve been working on it since the beginning of the truck and I’ll have that on the website hopefully in the next 30 days,” he said.

It is going to be a document with pictures and videos and information on how to build the floors, how to install plumbing and how to make different espresso drinks, he said.

It will be a resource for people that are looking into getting into the coffee truck business and something that they can start off of, he said.

“And to be honest, if I could have bought an e-book when I started this thing it would have saved me $4,000 because I made so many mistakes, like I’ve burned out generators from too much wattage and I put in this floor twice, this was a penny floor at one point and I had to put tile over it because it was a mess,” he said.

LaVolpa likes coffee because for him it is all about community, he said.

This community has been really good to him and he has enjoyed taking care of them as well, he said.

“I call coffee the fuel of passion. When someone comes to get a cup of coffee it’s because they got something to do, they’re on a mission and coffee is like this catalyst of people’s dreams, and I’m stoked about that,” he said.

Stop the Stress

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By Edgar Gonzalez, Staff Reporter

The clinical therapists for CNM Main Campus gets many students dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression, said Merry Guild, CNM clinical therapist.

Anxiety and depression are like the basic colds of mental health, she said.

They see a lot of students that are dealing with the pressures of school but when something else happens the whole house of cards threatens to come down, Guild said.

Learning how to manage your stress is a good thing, she said.

Exercise is super important and it does not have to be fancy gym workouts, she said.

“CNM has fitness classes and those are great,” she said.

There is also a gym that is free for students between 8 am and 5 pm, but even getting a 30-35 minute walk every day at a fast enough pace to get your heart going is enough, she said.

It is also necessary to have good sleep hygiene, which means going to sleep at a regular time, waking up at a regular time, not drinking a lot of caffeine late in the day, and not having a lot of electronics going in the bedroom, Guild said.

“Dealing with the deadlines from school, GPA, and a personal crisis can be real tough,” she said.

Stress breaks people down and it weakens the immune system so a person is more likely to get sick, Guild said.

“It is a vicious cycle where stress hurts your performance which stresses you out more, plus it takes a toll on your self-esteem, sleep, and it just spirals downward,” Guild said.

Stress can also lead to self-harm through violent acts or substance abuse, she said.

There are about 22 achievement coaches that send people in for counseling, they suggest and encourage the students to try it, Guild said.

If there is an academic issue she will send them to an advisor, she said.

She also sends students to the achievement coaches at the Connect office to get food bank and shelter information or to get health care information, she said.

Some of the coaches are like social workers and they have lots of resources in the community, Guild said.

What is available at the school is eight free counseling sessions a year and all students have to do is be enrolled in one class, she said.

There are also two master level interns that are working with Guild to provide counseling but the only counseling that is available in CNM is at Main Campus, she said.

They do some substance abuse counseling but cannot do any court ordered substance abuse counseling, Guild said.

If it is intense substance abuse they are connected with resources that will also do mandate counseling and court reports, she said.

If students need more counseling they will be referred to places that are sliding scale or take Medicare or affordable care so that is easier for students to get long term counseling, Guild said.

UNM psychology training clinic will also see students for individual counseling for $5 a session, she said.

It is pretty rare when someone does not benefit from counseling and when it does not it is because they drop out after one or two sessions, Guild said.

“You know what they say, it is not the counselor but the client or patient and if someone comes in and is looking and willing to do something different they are going to get better,” she said.

Everything is confidential, they do not talk to anybody unless the student signs a release of information, Guild said.

The Vet Success center has moved into the counseling health clinic so that veterans can get counseling as well, she said.

MORE INFORMATION:

For More Help Please Contact

Merry Guild CNM clinical therapist

(505)-224-3271

Student Services Center

Room SSC 207

900 University SE

Call for more information

Get Fit and Win

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By Edgar Gonzalez, Staff Reporter

HealthyWage is a program where people can compete for prices while losing weight at the same time in order to improve their long term decision making skills, said David Roddenberry co-founder of HealthyWage.

The program is set up to make weight loss fun and easy for staff and their families, he said.

All staff members and families are welcome to join this event, he said.

This includes staff from UNM, CNM, and APS, he said.

“Our goal is to help people with their long term healthy living”, Roddenberry said.

Daniel Tena, Chemistry major, said the price is $20 every month for a total of $60, but they ask for $75 during sign up, but people usually get much more than they initially invest.

The rules are that people must lose six percent of their bodyweight and form a team of three to five people in order to win, he said.

It is possible for each member with in a team to win a part of the prize, he said.

The prize is whatever money is put in by the participants after HealthyWise takes a 20 percent cut, he said.

The first step of the program is to weigh in and there are multiple options for that, said Tena.

One way is to make a thirty second video in your house and submit it in or you can make other arrangements, said Tena.

Roddenberry said, different resources are provided for those who choose to join the program,.

These include a nutritionists and a coach to help people on their progress to a healthier life, said Roddenberry.

The atmosphere is child friendly and people are welcome to bring their children, said Roddenberry.

The company is in its seventh year and has worked with more than 600 clients, said Roddenberry.

About 40 percent of clients have succeed the six percent weight loss goal, said Roddenberry.

The 12 week program consists of four weeks of nutrition, four weeks of physical activity, and four weeks of more focused weight loss, said Roddenberry.

Another resource that can be used are videos online that clients can watch in order to help them with their weight loss program, said Roddenberry.

There are other programs that assist with weight loss for individuals that do not qualify for this specific program, said Roddenberry.

“People who attend this program usually continue their weight loss journey thanks to the competition, the friendships established, and their pride”, said Roddenberry.

The team is the most important component to this program, said Roddenberry.

This is the same program for everyone and all weight classes have the same chance of achieving their goals, said Roddenberry.

The overall goal is to help people make better decisions and help people live healthier lives, said Roddenberry.

Tena said, after a team wins the price gets split up between the participants.

“There are a lot of fun workouts to do and everyone is so nice”, said Tena

If a person does not have a group to join with the program will provide you with a team to join, it is a very nice way to meet new people, said Tena.

 

MORE INFORMATION

Email   info@healthywage.com

Email us for the fastest response!

Use our Support system and log a request here.

Phone  (888) 636-3832

Wait times may apply – email is best!

Fax      (651) 964-3499

Call for more information

Health Center now Counseling Services

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By Guadalupe Santos-Sanchez, Managing Editor

The CNM Health Center is now called Counseling Services because medical services will no longer be available, said Brad Moore, director of communications and media relations.

The number of students accessing the services was declining and due to challenging budget conditions the school decided to remove the Student Health Services Center, he said.

“It is uncommon for community colleges to offer such services and we were the only school in the state who did,” he said.

The Health Center originally was designed for students who did not have any health care but now that everyone should have it with the Affordable Care Act, they decided that they should be helping students get to their own doctors and their own health care, said Phillip Bustos, vice president of student services.

The office will continue to provide information on outside medical services and on the Affordable Care Act, Moore said.

The Affordable Care Act should be available to everyone because it depends on a person’s income, Bustos said.

Students who used the medical services and want to get their medical records can email the contact center at contactcenter@cnm.edu or call at 505-224-3000.

The mental health services will be enhanced, Bustos said.

The Samaritan Counseling is on staff along with CNM employees to continue to provide up to eight counseling sessions per student, he said.

Students will be seen on a free basis for things such as mental health issues, counseling, and test anxiety, he said.

If students need more than eight sessions, counselors help students make arrangements for long term care that they can get through the Affordable Care Act or other insurance, he said.

Bustos said that they will be looking at the number of students using the services every month and make changes in accordance, so they might increase the number of visits per student.

The Wellness Center, or the gym, will still be open, he said.

It will be in part monitored by the Vet Success Center, which they are hoping will be set up in that same space, he said.

The Vet Success Center is in partnership with the New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System and it provides support services for veterans along with achievement coaching and advising but specifically for veterans, Bustos said.

The Vet Success Center helps veterans get readjusted to civilian and college life, he said.

The main thing that makes them different is that it is Vets helping Vets, and so all of the individuals that are employed there are veterans, he said.

“We intend to really continue to serve students, we’ll help them find any needs that they have with community resources as well as private doctors, so if they have any questions they’re welcome to still come to the old health center and ask any questions, we’ll try and help them however we can,” Bustos said.

The health center closed for intake walk-in services on October 31, 2015 and both of the health center employees retired, he said.

They had two student employees that they were hoping to keep employed in the new center, he said.

Bringing fashion to CNM

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By Whitney Oliphant, Copy Editor

CNM’s Cosmetology students that are getting ready to graduate hold a fashion show as part of their final project and to showcase what they have learned, said Cosmetology Instructor Babette Reeves.

The fashion shows are held at the end of the Spring and Fall semesters because that is when students graduate from the School of Cosmetology, she said.

The fashion show is free to attend and refreshments are provided to guests, Reeves said.

For more information on future fashion shows people can contact the Cosmetology department at (505) 224-5034.

The last fashion show was held in Smith Brasher Hall 101 on December 5th, 2015 and was titled “Aphrodite’s Apocalypse.”

It featured models that were created to look like Greek gods and goddesses, as well as post-apocalyptic survivors and warriors, she said.

The name and theme of the show were chosen by CNM’s graduating cosmetology students, Reeves said.

Graduating cosmetology student Kelly Nolan said that the graduating students got together to go over their ideas on what the theme of the fashion show should be and then they choose together.

After choosing a theme and name, the graduating seniors came up with character ideas and then had to find and bring in their own models to work with, she said.

The graduating students are also responsible for coming up with the costume ideas and overall design of the fashion show, Reeves said.

Not only are the students responsible for the ideas of the fashion show but they have to find or create the costumes and props that the models will be wearing.

“They do hair, makeup, and the outfits,” Reeves said.

They do all of this on their time.

Nolan had three models, one of which was herself, where she modeled the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

Emily Pino, one of Nolan’s models who was created into the goddess of war, said that she was excited for the fashion show.

Graduating student Mustafa Alsioury had two models in the fashion show, both of which were created to represent the post apocalypse.

There was also a belly dancing performance put on in the middle of the fashion show by Dani Gutierrez which Alsioury was also a part of.

When asked about plans after graduation, student Kelly Nolan said that she had been offered a job at her internship but will take time off through January to rest and visit family before going to work full time.

Student Mustafa Alsioury, said that he planned to work at a salon for two years and hopes to continue working with the great and humble clientele that he has built.

“I’ll be doing really controversial stuff, modern stuff, stuff that CNM doesn’t like,”Alsioury said.

During the course of their schooling the cosmetology students learn a variety of skills including but not limited to hair trimming, cutting, styling, coloring, highlighting, conditioning and waxing.

The cosmetology program lasts four semesters, Nolan said.

Girl wings

Photo by Whitney Oliphant – Model walks the runway at CNM Cosmetology fashion show.

 

MORE INFORMATION:

Free haircut appointments are available through them and the hours for that are:

Tuesday’s from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m

Thursday’s from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m

Friday’s from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m.

For more information please call (505) 224-5034

Services provided by cosmetology students:

Description of Service

Cost
Hair/Fringe/beard/mustache: trim or cut $0.00
Style $0.00
Deep conditioner $5.00
all over color above shoulders $15.00
all over color shoulder length $20.00
all over color below shoulders $25.00
all over color below shoulders 12″ $35.00
all over lightener & tone $40.00
Color Corrective Color $40.00
Color retouch – new growth ONLY $10.00
Highlight w/cap no foils $10.00
highlight w/foil – above shoulder $15.00
Highlight w/foil- shoulder length $20.00
Highlight w/ foil – below shoulders $30.00
highlight w/foil below shoulders 12″ $40.00
Permanent Wave – Above shoulders $10.00
Permanent Wave – Shoulder length $15.00
Permanent Wave- Below shoulders $20.00
Permanent Wave- Spiral and up no cut $35.00
*extra box (color/ perm) $7.00
Manicure $0.00
Hand Paraffin $5.00
Nail – Repair for each $3.00
Nails – gel overlay $10.00
Nails – gel polish $15.00
Nails – rebase $7.00
Nails – Sculptured, Tips, or Wraps $15.00
Pedicure $7.00
Facial $15.00
Wax – Eyebrow $5.00
Wax – Lip $5.00

List courtesy of CNM.edu

Working Together | How instructor office hours are viewed on campus

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By Edgar Gonzalez, Staff Reporter

Instructors can help students during offices hours, not only with school problems, but with other kinds of problems a student may face on a daily basis, said English major Todd Rodie.

The first time a student goes to get help from an instructor the process can be a little awkward but it gets easier as the student meets with the instructor more often, he said

“Once you are there they may talk about other random things, instructors are pretty cool,” he said.

All students would benefit from going to office hours which are offered by CNM instructors for students if they need extra help, said Nursing major Carlos Corona.

That is exactly why I think people should go to office hours, just to build a better relationship with their instructors, he said.

Although it can be very helpful to visit instructors it is also very intimidating, Rodie said.

People mostly go and do their own work and try to do things themselves, said Welding major Robert Quesada.

“There are a lot of reasons why students do not come, they are shy, or the office hours come in conflict with their schedules, said John Rogers, full-time instructor.

At first students seem a little shy but they tend to relax after a while, he said.

Some students do not attend office hours because they do not need the extra help, or they have other resources they can use to find what they are looking for, said Criminology major Danielle Romero.

“My instructors have told me about office hours but I think most instructors help people in the class better,” Quesada said.

Most of the material is covered in class, but most students would benefit from attending office hours for a little extra help, Rogers said.

Some students might email their instructors when they have questions, Romero said.

Rogers gets some emails from students but they are mostly for makeup exams not really for help on any particular subject, he said.

“There is another reason why I do not receive many students at office hours, most of the time it is because they catch me and ask questions before or after class,” he said.

Some students are just too lazy to go out of their way and go to the instructors’ office hours, Corona said.

Some students might be too scared to visit office hours as well and some instructors might even discourage students from getting help, he said.

Since office hours might interfere with some of the students’ schedules, they probably look for other help, like their friends, Quesada said.

Students do not take full advantage of office hours, Rogers said.

There are some things that can be changed in order to increase student attendance in office hours but it is still up to the student to go, Romero said.

Most students who decide to attend office hours will gain something from the experience, Rodie said.

Let’s study abroad

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By Whitney Oliphant, Staff Reporter

CNM is partnering with UNM and the Global Education Office to bring study abroad to students, said Dr. Paula Smith-Hawkins, associate dean for administration.

“Global Education is coming,” Hawkins said.

The first trip will take place in July 2016, and will be held in Limerick, Ireland, she said.

Smith-Hawkins said that students will actually be staying in the dorms at the Mary Immaculate University in Limerick while they do their studies.

During the Limerick trip students will earn 6 transferable credits in history and service learning, Smith-Hawkins said.

Smith-Hawkins said that it will be a month’s worth of work put into two weeks but that it will be a great experience for those involved.

There will also be a week of prep work that students will do on Blackboard the week before they leave for the Limerick trip, she said.

“Students may not be aware that they can use their financial aid to help cover the cost of the trip,” Smith-Hawkins said.

Students think that they cannot afford to do study abroad because of financial reasons but there are scholarships, savings plans, and financial aid to help students with the costs, she said.

She said that even though students may be able to use their financial aid toward the trip it is important that students plan in advance so that they can get their financial aid set up for studying abroad.

For more information on getting financial aid for studying abroad contact the financial aid office at (505) 224-3000 prompt (2,0).

Students should start the planning process at least two semesters in advance, Smith-Hawkins said.

The fall semester should be the time that students make the decision about studying abroad, then spend the spring planning while getting their financial aid in order and ultimately leaving over the summer, Smith-Hawkins said.

Smith-Hawkins said that although studying abroad is brand new to CNM, it is actually much more common in community colleges than most think.

CNM opening the door to studying abroad also allows foreign students to come and attend CNM as well as CNM students to attend various schools overseas, she said.

The Limerick trip is sort of like a test run for CNM because this will be the very first study abroad trip, she said.

CNM hopes to eventually narrow their focus on Latin America for their study abroad experiences, she said.

Places such as Cuba and Colombia could be in the works as soon as 2017, she said.

“CNM is joining the rest of the world,” she said.

Latin America studies

https://www.cnm.edu/programs-of-study/all-programs-a-z/latin-american-studies

UNM Global Education Office

http://geo.unm.edu/

SNAP to it! | Food benefits for students

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By Whitney Oliphant, Staff Reporter

“Students who are enrolled in a Career Technical program do not have to be working in order to qualify for SNAP benefits now,” said Sally Moore Achievement Coach at CNM.

For a list of the Career Technical Programs that qualify students for benefits please visit: http://www.cnm.edu/programs-of-study/career-technical-education/cte-programs-a-to-z

Students who are looking to apply for SNAP benefits can go into any local Income Support Division office (ISD) or go online at https://www.yes.state.nm.us/yesnm/home/index , Moore said.

There is a form that students will need to complete that is called an FSP 420 form and they can get this form from Financial Aid, CNM Connect, or an achievement coach, she said.

Students will need to fill out the top part of the form and then they will need to drop off the form with Financial Aid for them to complete, she said.

They will usually have the form ready for students to pick back up within 48 hours, she said.

If there are any issues with the application or if students are denied benefits, students should contact 505-255-2840 and get help, Moore said.

There are between 4 and 5 thousand students at CNM who qualify for SNAP benefits now that those who are enrolled in a Career Technical program do not need to be working, Moore said.

Those who are not enrolled in a Career Technical Program and need help with food may still qualify for benefits.

It only needs to be one of the qualifications to qualify for SNAP benefits, Moore said.

She said that if students have less than 150 dollars in cash then they have to receive snap benefits within 7 days.

Moore said that if students go into the ISD office to apply then someone has to meet with them that same day.

ISD has to process the application within 30 days and if that doesn’t happen then students should call as ISD is required to get it done right away, Moore said.

She said that there is no guaranteed eligibility and that students need to refer to the ISD office for issues or questions that come up with their benefits after they have submitted their application.

For any questions regarding SNAP benefits please visit the CNM Connect office or call CNM Connect at (505) 224-3186.

There are many different options available for students who need food such as Vets for Success who is teaming up with RoadRunner food bank to offer food boxes to students, Moore said.

For more options on how to get food please visit https://www.cnm.edu/cnm-community/community-resources/food

For questions please call (505) 224-3186.

 

 

Places that those who need help with food can receive help:

http://www.cnm.edu/cnm-community/community-resources/food

 

Career Technical Programs that qualify students for benefits:

http://www.cnm.edu/programs-of-study/career-technical-education/cte-programs-a-to-z

 

Qualifications include any one of the following, Moore said:

  • Students who are enrolled in a career technical education program (See the Career Technical Link)

 

  • Students that have a temporary or permanent physical or mental impairment

 

  • Students who just turned 50 or who are over 50 years of age

 

  • Students who are working at least 20 hours a week on average

 

  • Students who are enrolled less than half time

 

  • Students who are approved for and anticipating participation in a Work Study program

 

  • Students who receive TANF benefits;

 

  • Students who are responsible for a child under 6 years of age, OR are responsible for a child between the ages of 6 and 12 and cannot obtain childcare;

 

  • Students who are a full time student and a single parent with a child under 12

 

  • Students who are enrolled in a GED, ESL, or remedial program

Editorial | Cultivando Consciousness marches in remembrance of 43 missing students

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By The Chronicle Editorial Board

The South Valley Dia de Los Muertos Parade that occurred on November 1 this year included

the graduate student collective Cultivando Consciousness consisting of UNM students marching

with family and friends in representation of the 43 missing students from Ayotzinapa College.

As students, we at CNM should also be aware of and more involved with situations concerning

our peers all over the world.

This demonstration should serve as a reminder to not take things for granted. To speak up when

something is on our minds and especially when others are trying to shut us down. For our

brothers who had to die to be noticed.

In the parade, the collective walked to remind the community that the issue is still present.

September 26 of this year was the one year anniversary of the mass kidnapping of students from

Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. It has been a year and Mexican officials have yet to account for 43 of

those students.

The 43 missing students were from a public college specifically for training teachers. Students at

the college were mostly from lower income families and on the day that they disappeared along

with about 60 other students they were on their way to protest their government favoring funds

for urban colleges over rural ones.

The students had acquired buses for their trip to Iguala and were reportedly stopped on their way

by police in an attempt to prevent them from carrying out the protest. The students attempted to

drive away and in the car chase police opened fire on them killing two students and prompting

many others to flee. A majority of the students were arrested and supposedly handed over to a

gang to be executed.

Many people still hope that the students are alive and in fact demand the Mexican government to

return them alive because they were taken alive.

Cultivando Consciousness like many other groups refuse to let the missing students go forgotten

because they represent those of us that get overlooked for being small. They represent the

problems that are often times rooted in the governments. And the levels of violence that these

governments are willing to reach to avoid confrontation and to instill fear in anybody else

looking to speak up.

We owe the missing students our attention and support. We must not let their intentions be

forgotten. We must not let them die in vain. We can continue what they started by being aware of

our situations here with our own governments.