Patch Blog: The Hernandez 2012 Silent Rally

The silence in the middle of the quad contrasted sharply with the buzz of student life along its perimeter. A sea of faces, some splashed with green paint, stared in concentration at the figures that stood at the top of the science building of .

I raised my hand in the air, a microphone in my hand, the anticipation building… and on cue one voice composed of many uttered a single, powerful phrase:

“HERNANDEZ 2012.”

The start of something new. The start of something amazing.

Tuesday’s was the first step in a completely student-run and student-led campaign called Hernandez 2012. Noel Hernandez, the college and career counselor at Monrovia High School is set to lose her job in the coming year due to budget cuts. The campaign’s goal is to inform students, parents, and members of the Monrovia community of this affair and showcase to the Monrovia School Board how invaluable Ms. Hernandez is with the continuous skill and tenacity she brings to work every single day. With enough support, we, as members of the Monrovia community, can help this amazing and hard-working individual retain her position at the high school, so that she may continue to help guide students towards the path to success.

Why, some ask, are we focusing on just this individual?

Noel Hernandez contributes something to the Monrovia High School campus that no other person does. She is in charge of anything and everything college related, for example:

• Contacting college representatives to come to the high school to speak with our students.
• Researching, accumulating, and providing information on scholarships for students in all grade levels, both oriented towards the general population and specific students as well (scholarships that require specific qualifications).
• Organizing Cal State application information nights (as well as others).
• Organizing Financial Aid and FAFSA nights for students and parents.

These are only a few of the tasks she takes on to ensure the success of her students. She is also the counselor for the Math and Science Academy, a job that requires much skill and attention to detail to provide every single MASA student with the proper academic agenda and tools for a credible graduation as a MASA member.

These are just a few of the qualities Ms. Hernandez brings to the table. If she is gone, it can be understood without a doubt that future students of Monrovia High School will suffer.

In order to prevent this from happening, the community must get involved: students, parents, etc.

The students have spoken, and they will continue to speak.

The question is, will you?

For more information on how to get involved please visit:

www.facebook.com/2012hernandez OR www.hernandez2012.tumblr.com

If you have any questions do not hesitate to email hernandez2012campaign@gmail.com