Cesar Chavez Celebrated at Sanchez Elementary

It was something that 11-year-old, Luis Lopez didn’t expect, winning first place in an essay competition at Sanchez Elementary.

“I was just surprised, that I couldn’t believe that I won,” said the fifth grader.

The topic for the essay: What Cesar Chavez Day means to them?

“Cesar chavez changed all that, he just wanted what was best for the kids,” said Lopez.

His inspiration for the piece? Lopez said it came from his mom.

“She’s always taking care of us good, cause she had to worry about the rent and food for us,” he said.

Lopez said his mom works long hours in the strawberry fields.

“She gets up in the morning like at four thirty and she comes back tired like at five thirty at night,” he said.

The essay contest was all part of the Cesar Chavez celebration at Sanchez Elementary.

Guest speakers included John Jimenez, a Chicano Studies teacher and advocate for Farm Workers.

“So I just wanted to bring a message to the young kids you know, that even though their language might be a barrier, they can do well in school,” he said. “To honor Cesar Chavez because of him, he brought a lot of things to light, bringing in bathrooms better drinking water.”

Lopez also got the opportunity to read his essay out lout to the entire school, something he said he won’t soon forget.

“He changed the life of my mom and how she gets paid more,” he said.