Excerpt from a letter Oscar López Rivera wrote:

About four decades ago, which for most of you might seem like eons passed, a few friends and I began having discussions about transforming the community. We were thinking and dreaming Revolution. We were young, full of ideas, energy and dreams, but somewhat naïve and arrogant. Since we were the byproduct of a community that was voiceless and invisible it was perfectly natural for us to want to tear down the walls that kept us mired in such wretched conditions. We talked about transforming the schools, opening the doors of the universities, creating jobs and organizing the workers, building and rehabilitating houses, organizing health clinics, eradicating the drug epidemic, helping the gangs become viable political organizations, taking over institutions and agencies in the community, controlling the police and promoting Puerto Rican culture and Puerto Rican Independence.

The Pedro Albizu Campos High School started from nothing other than ideas and dreams. When we started it we had less than $300 in the bank and no books, materials or a space of our own. I remember going with two of the founding members to St. Mary’s High School, a small catholic school where Irish and Italian families sent their daughters, to discuss the issue of sharing its accreditation. When the nun who ran the school asked about the resources we had for the school it was an embarrassing moment to tell her the truth. Fortunately, she was a wonderful and very sensitive person and didn’t have any problems with allowing the “Puerto Rican High School” (as it was called in the beginning) to share St. Mary’s accreditation.

What is the moral behind these words? I just want to exhort every one of you to dare to dream, to have ideas and to talk the talk and walk the walk. It is true we have not accomplished much and that our community still is overwhelmed with problems. But if you look at PACHS and what it has to offer, you would have to agree that it’s better than what other schools might offer and that it represents a challenge worthwhile facing. Just the thought of being able to grow things on the roof the school represents a challenge I may want to tackle.

A Revolution is an act of love. In order for our community to be transformed it requires our love and dedication. If you are part of that community, love it and dare to struggle to make it better. Don’t forget a better and more just world is possible, if we are willing to make it happen.

Excerpt from a letter Carlos Alberto Torres wrote:

The Pedro Albizu Campos High School will provide you with an excellent education. That is an absolute truth. On the one hand you will encounter the typical courses that are essential in order to expand your knowledge base, and learn to navigate successfully in a modern society. On the other hand, you will also be exposed to new ideas that will challenge the way you think about yourself, your history, and your role and responsibilities within the human and ecological environment which is our community. What you accomplish through your efforts at this high school, you accomplish for yourselves, for your children, and for all of us. That is the challenge. I wish you growth and happiness – Thank you.

***

The event on Saturday, lasted over two hours, and had speakers ranging from former political prisoners to eleven year old singers. Students from Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, visited the exhibit and reflected on the impact. There were family members present and lifelong friends of the political prisoners who came to share inspiring stories. Overall, there was a vibe of comfort, hope, and pride that radiated in the room. Watch the video below to take a virtual tour of the exhibit.

March 25th, students of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, will be writing letters to Carlos in their classes.  The lesson is described below…

For more information and to visit the National Boricua Human Rights Network please click here

Task:
Write a letter to Carlos Alberto Torres addressing the questions below, and including anything else you would like him to know.
Criteria:
1. Letter must be one page (written)
2. At least a three sentence Introduction: Who are you and how long have you been with the school?
3. Respond to one or more of the topics below
4. Three sentences or more  “thanking”  Carlos Alberto Torres for his effort in creating the school that they now attend

• potential topic 1 – how has the school played a role in your growth and development as a person? as a student? as a member of your community?
• potential topic 2 – how has the school supported you in pursuing your educational and life goals?
• potential topic 3 – what have you learned about Puerto Rican culture and history, or other cultures and histories from being here?
• potential topic 4 – share some experiences that were meaningful to you during your time here at the school.
• potential topic 5 – share some of the “most funny moments” that you have by being here in the school.
• potential topic 6 – share why you think this school is unique in comparison to other schools.

5. Students are also encouraged to write to Oscar Lopez Rivera

Please use these videos to understand the circumstances that Carlos Alberto Torres is experiencing…

This is a video put together by the Boricua Human Rights Network…

This is a video of the Batey play “Crimes Against Humanity.” Documenting the day to day life that some of the Puerto Rican Political prisoners experienced. This play was put together by Mike Reyes and Luis Rosa and the Batey Urbano…

This video is a news clip from 1999 discussing a view on the “Clemency offer” by President Bill Clinton…

Please watch the video below to see some of the action and hear student reflections to the event.

Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos History
1912: Awarded a scholarship to study engineering at the University of Vermont.

1913: Transfers from the University of Vermont to Harvard

1917: World War I. Served in an African-American unit. Volunteer to General Frank McIntyre, was trained by French Military mission, organized NCO school and Home Guard in Puerto Rico. Discharged as First Lieutenant, US Infantry.

1919: Returns to Harvard where he got his law degree as well as degrees in Literature, Philosophy, Chemical Engineering and Military Sciences. Fluent in English, Spanish French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Latin and Greek. The Puerto Rican Mulatto was elected president of Harvard’s Cosmopolitan Club. He dealt with foreign students and lecturers, like Sudas Ghandra Gose (Indian Nationalist leader with Ghandi) and the Hindu poet Rabindranath Tagore. Became interested in the cause of Indian independence, helped to found several centers in Boston for Irish Independence. He would meet Eamon de Valera and later be consulted in the drafting of the constitution of the Irish Free State.
Upon graduating from Harvard, he received job offers as Hispanic repres entative for a protestant church, as a legal aide to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in the U.S. State Department’s diplomatic corps in Mexico. He opted to return to Puerto Rico.

1972 – Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School is founded to answer the call of high school drop outs in Chicago’s Puerto Rican community

2010 – Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School is invited to speak at the annual Harvard Alumni of Color Conference, to speak on a panel about Social Justice schools. The Schools introduced themselves, and then were asked to speak about how Social Justice looks in their school.

The video is what Principal Matthew Rodríguez had to say about Social Justice at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School (The full hour and thirty minutes video will be available through our school’s technology department).

Daley hangs help wanted sign on
the Internet

Published : Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 8:52 AM CST  Tera Williams, FOX Chicago News
Want to make $110,000 a year and have the power to make big decisions for the City of Chicago? Mayor Daley is looking for two new Aldermen and for the first time ever he has posted the job vacancies online and opened the application process to everyone.
The job ad was posted on the city’s homepage .

Jimmy Wilson may only be a senior in high school, but the 19-year-old was at City Hall on Thursday filling out an application to be Chicago’s next 29th Ward Alderman. “I used to work for Alderman Ed Smith and I took notes so I believe I can handle it,” Wilson said. Daley said he posted the openings on the city’s website to get as many applicants as possible for the two aldermanic vacancies. Manny Flores left the 1st Ward to become the new Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman and Ike Carothers recently resigned from the 29th ward after being convicted of taking bribes. When faced with vacancies in the past, Daley received recommendations and appointed someone to the open position.
Daley’s office would not tell us how many applications have been submitted so far. Alderman Ed Smith, 28th ward, said he backs the Mayor on this decision but hopes the people applying are truly qualified. “It was kind of surprising because that was a process that has been enforced for years and years and to go outside that process is different,” said Smith. Jimmy Wilson is excited about the new application process. It is his dream to be a Chicago Alderman and eventually mayor. “I believe that if you have the desire and the fire to do it, why not go for it,” he said.
If you want to apply, you don’t have a lot of time. Applications must include a cover letter, a resume and three letters of recommendation. They are due at City Hall by the end of business on Friday. You must be a registered voter and a resident of the 1st or 29th Wards in order to apply for the open positions.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/city-hiring-aldemen

Latino Youth H.S. claims victory at ChiTown Cup 2009; PACHS senior named MVP

In neon-yellow, gray and maroon t-shirts, young men of Aspira Charter High School, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican H.S., Rudy Lozano Leadership Academy and Latino Youth Alternative H.S. went “toe-to-toe” at the 2^nd annual ChiTown Cup Soccer Tournament on Saturday, November 14. Spectators, which included school staff, students and family members, gathered to watch the soccer games at the Barreto Union League Boys and Girls Club located in Humboldt Park.

After five games that lasted an average of 20 minutes each, the Latino Youth Alternative High School Soccer Team was named winner and awarded a trophy replica of the World Cup. Latino Youth will be able to hold the trophy at their school until the next Chi-Town Cup. Richard Peralta, senior at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos H.S., was awarded Most Valuable Player award for scoring the most number of goals (8 goals) during the tournament.

The first ChiTown Cup was held in November 2008 at ChiTown Futbol indoor soccer facility located on the South Side. The tournament organizers Raymond Rodríguez, Math teacher at PACHS, and Miguel Guevara, Social Studies and Media Arts teacher at Rudy Lozano, met as members of the same cohort of the Type 9 teacher’s certification program through Illinois College.

“We both love soccer and our students so we put those two together,” said Rodríguez. “We also remember loving soccer tournaments ourselves when we were in high school.” Rodríguez played soccer for Oak Park H.S. while Guevara was on the soccer team at Quigley South H.S.

Rodríguez and Guevara hope to organize at least five soccer tournaments during the 2009-2010 school year that will include a larger group of high schools, alternating the tournament sites between South Side and North Side locations.

Most of the young men participating in the tournament were Mexican like Luis Cardozo, junior at Rudy Lozano and fan of Manchester United. “Mainly, I love the sport,” said Pilsen native Cardozo, while sitting in anticipation of his team’s chance to play at the tournament. “To me, nothing is as good as soccer because of the passion involved,” said Cardozo.

If you are interested in playing in upcoming tournaments or if you would like more information, you are encouraged to contact Raymond Rodríguez at 773-342-8022.

- Marisol Rodríguez

On June 20, 2009 Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School, celebrated the Puerto Rican Peoles Parade.  The school celebrated by creating an amazing float dedicated to the theme “Community of Wellness”.  The float was surrounded by athletic vejigantes, electric bomba dancers, dedicated coffee pickers, not to forget the countless number of vejigantes that flew around on bicycles.

The beautiful tribute to wellness was made possible by the staff of PACHS, but could not have been accomplished without the dedication and leadership of Brenda Torres and Vidia Rodriguez.  Brenda Torres (PACHS Art teacher) was the brainchild behind the school’s participation and direction.  She designed the majority of the items the school used/wore.  Vidia Rodriguez was the master seamstress behind the costumes and even found time to teach some of the staff how to sew, so they could help create.

June 23, 2009

The 36th graduating class, from Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, stood proud.  It was a beautiful day, sunny skies, heat we have been missing since last summer, and everyone had smiles on their faces.  Our audience was filled with proud family and friends, transforming the Humboldt Park Boat House into a classy stadium. We were all happy that they were graduating, but at the same time sad to see them leaving.

Please read the program and speeches attached to learn more about the incredible graduation and the things we teach and learn in our school.

Click HERE to see our 2009-graduation-program (with speeches from our administrators)

Click HERE to read the keynote speech 2009 by Enid Rosario

Click HERE to read the student graduation-speech from jessica-fullilove

Click HERE to read our Valedictorian Abimaels-speech

Graduating Seniors:
Armando Arteaga
Raquel Bahena
Felix Barbosa
Tatyana Cartagena
Brittney Cooper
Greyshka Cruz
Myrna Díaz
Dominique Douglas
Vincent Figueroa
Tatiana Flores
Jessica Fuentes
Jessica Fullilove
Megan García
Natividad Hernández
Vanessa Jiménez
Yesenia León
Melissa Medina
Vanessa Méndez
Jessica Mendoza
Justina Ortiz
Jessica Parks
Omar Pérez
Gene Poirier
Celina Ramos
July Ramos
Abimael Reillo
Yessimen Rey
Samuel Rivera
Sergio Rodríguez
Stephanie Rohena
Marisol Roman
Anthony Rosado
Daisy Salgado
Frances Sánchez
Deanna Saucedo
Ryan Swain
Rosemary Torres
Cindella Watts

PACHS Graduation (Humboldt Park Boat House) = June 23 10am

Fiesta Boricua (Division street Artisian to California) = Labor Day Weekend