Youth Services: Trio Program

Marcos Villegas enrolled in our Trio Program four years ago, while he was in sixth grade, studying at Academia Del Pueblo Elementary School.  At the time he enrolled with us, he seemed to get in trouble in class. It wasn’t because he wasn’t smart enough for the work; he just was not concentrating on his work.  He seemed to need people to talk to and get some help with his behavior.

Marcos’ lack of attention to his school work and activities placed a heavy burden on his parents, as they placed a high value on education.  His family emigrated from Mexico about 10 years ago and is of low income background. His parents recognized that Marcos and his older brother had the potential to be the first generation in their family to attend college or a university.

It was a great plus that at that time the Trio program was housed in one of the classrooms at the school. We adopted an “open door” policy, so that when kids like Marcos needed extra attention or were not behaving well during lunch or recess, the Trio participants would be sent to us for a little talk. It seemed that it helped Marcos.

We worked with him for two years. Unfortunately, his family moved from the area and he attended a different school for his eighth grade year. We stayed in touch. Marcos eventually graduated from John R. Davis Elementary School last year and followed his older brother to high school at AAEC (Arizona Agro-business and Equine Center). 

Marcos is always willing to participate and help out in anything he can. Last summer we invited him to be part of our one week Trio camp. He helped us in by serving as a TA (teacher assistant).  He is doing well. Jose Vaquera, Youth Services Director, recently spoke with him and he was happy to report that Marcos was accepted to National Honor Society for the 2008-2009 academic year.  The Trio program will continue working with him and other students through high school and get them ready to enter the world of higher education. Good luck Marcos, and stay in touch