Smith celebrates Graduation Day in Palomas at Rio Grande Guardian
It is a momentous Saturday in Palomas, Mexico, as the San Vicente auditorium fills up with eager students and their families on June 14. A special ceremony is underway to honor about 130 students who have successfully completed their school year, many of whom received scholarships from the Alas de Amor program based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The main objective is to celebrate their achievements and motivate them to pursue their education further in the coming year. Among these students are learners from various grade levels, with only two seniors set to graduate.
My initial encounter with Jim and Pat Noble, the brains behind Alas de Amor and La Casa de Amor Para Ninos, dates back 15 years, although the programs have been in operation for 26 years. Formerly a partner at Noble and Vrapi law firm in Santa Fe, Jim Noble, now retired and residing in Texas with Pat, embarks on an eleven-hour drive to Palomas for their monthly meetings. La Casa, initially an orphanage catering to 20-30 children, transformed into a scholarship initiative due to the volatile bureaucratic landscape. Anticipating 170 applicants for the following year, the Nobles’ commitment to education shines through in their endeavors.
While local schools in Palomas do not charge tuition fees, the financial burden of acquiring uniforms and books deters many students from continuing their education in this impoverished community, leading to high dropout rates. This core issue prompted the Nobles and their dedicated team of volunteers to advocate for education over the years. Their involvement in fundraising for a high school building and extending scholarships to college-bound youth exemplifies their dedication to fostering learning opportunities. Despite past setbacks with two sponsored students dropping out due to inadequate support, new hope rests on Pablo, introduced to me at the ceremony.
The graduation ceremony at the San Vicente auditorium exudes a palpable sense of hope and enthusiasm, a departure from the prevailing atmosphere in Santa Fe, as indicated by feedback from teacher acquaintances, including my daughter. Eunice Herrera, a key figure in the Nobles’ team, initiated involvement in the Mother’s Day celebration at La Casa in May 2010, transitioning from a law clerk in Santa Fe to eventually partner at Jim Noble’s former law firm. Eunice’s academic success story at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas, underlines her purpose to set a positive example for the children in Palomas, showcasing the potential of young Mexican women.
The appetite for learning evident along the border region is noteworthy. In the Respettrans migrant shelter in Juárez, bilingual women champion English classes for children daily, underscoring a collective ambition for effective communication in potential future US relocation scenarios. Adolescents like Victor from Anapra, near Juárez, exhibit resilience in continuing education despite external pressures nudging them towards illicit activities. Encouragingly, we need to cultivate this proactive spirit to enrich our nation, albeit challenges in the prevailing political climate. In my capacity, I aim to support Pablo wholeheartedly in his academic journey, advocating for his perseverance towards attaining a degree.