Gadsden students to advocate at Roundhouse

For the first time in the district’s history, students from the Gadsden Independent School District will take a trip to the state capitol. Fifty students will advocate for the district’s dual language program, learn about state government, and go sightseeing. 

The students will be joined by teachers and superintendent Nubia Tarazona.

Students will not pay for anything out of pocket. The trip for the district is fully funded through support from Project Jupiter, which will include a guided visit to the capitol by GISD alumnus and current Community Outreach Organizer of Borderplex Digital Assets, Jose Ibarra. 

Many of the students have never had the chance to leave the district. The trip, in addition to advocacy support at the Roundhouse, will include transportation and lodging, meals, a visit to Meow Wolf, and sightseeing. 

“This is going to be a whole new experience for these students, and we can’t wait to broaden their world view and their belief in what the future could hold,” said Superintendent Tarazona. “This is an incredible educational opportunity for our students to learn about how policy is made and about how to advocate for programs and policies they care about.”

GISD, located in Southern New Mexico near El Paso, Texas, serves a high-poverty community, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. The district’s student population is 96.5% Hispanic, and 47% of students are identified as English language learners, reflecting the linguistic richness of the GISD community. Many of these students participate in the district’s growing dual language program.