Where are they now?

Among the former students of Colegio Jacinto Treviño, several became teachers, physicians, attorneys and community leaders.

Dr. Narciso Alemán earned numerous degrees and became a university professor and attorney. He teaches American history in Milwaukee and runs a consulting business.

"For Chicanos, it was our opportunity to seek greater equality," Alemán said. "It was not about hatred. The people that came out of Jacinto Treviño committed our lives to struggle and created opportunities."

Lupe Casarez went on to help César Chavez organize farm workers. The author and educator earned a master's degree in community development from Texas A & M University. He lives in Houston and is the producer of "Padres Con Poder" (Parents With Power) — a video program instrumental in helping children succeed and overcome gangs and violence.

"For a long time I used to have an animosity toward people like my principal, but nowadays I have a lot more compassion," Casarez said. "We were very angry in those days, but anger turned into motivation. Revolutionaries are made out of love."

Jaime Garza lives in Mercedes, where he retired as a city councilman in 2002 and was involved in presidential initiatives and congressional studies that helped improve health care, housing and services for youth in the Rio Grande Valley. He was part of the initial application process to get a construction permit for the local public television station.

"Some people did more and some people did less, but all in the spirit of raising our identity," Garza said.

Alemán said that former students dedicated their lives to create a community of people that are self-sufficient.

"Most of us have not made a lot of money, but we have never been hungry and we have never been alone," he said.

ON THE WEB: A Colegio Jacinto Treviño Web site is being planned. For more information, contact Jaime Garza.
E-mail: jaimegarza7454@ msn.com
Phone: 956-565-2303