Recognizing Waukegan to College

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to rise today to celebrate an amazing program in my community, Waukegan to College, and to honor this year's class: Alexis Valdovinos, Moises Arreola-Malagon, Daisy Camacho, Maurice Davison Jr., Diana Diaz, Justin Garcia, Jesus Murillo, Jose Ochoa, Giselle Palomar, Emilio Salgado, and Gabriela Serna-Gutierrez.

A year-round college readiness service, the Waukegan to College program, or W2C for short, launched in 2009. Over the course of students studies, W2C seeks to advance individual's intellectual and emotional development, cultivating a strong commitment to community and a profound belief that they can build a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities. By establishing high academic expectations and counseling students and their families on the college application process, W2C helps students realize their full potential by making the dream of college a reality.

All of these students will be the first in their families to attend college, and were selected for the W2C program due to their impressive academic achievements and their contributions to their local communities. As leaders inside and outside the classroom, these students show tremendous dedication and potential.

Strengthening our communities requires building new ladders of opportunity so that all Americans can succeed and thrive. This begins with providing every child, regardless of zip code, access to a high quality, affordable education, and continues by ensuring all families can afford to send their sons and daughters to college.

When our nation's talented young people pursue their passions and follow their dreams, they accomplish far more than personal growth. They serve as role models in their communities and their achievements inspire and motivate other young people to equally strive and achieve.

These students truly are Champions of Change. I wish them the very best of luck in their academic studies and in all their future endeavors.

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