BY MONICA CARRILLO
OUR VOICE COUNTS
A 17-year-old student from Wood River High School has been involved in the community through known organizations like The Hunger Coalition, St. Luke’s and even The Advocates ETC (Every Teen Counts) program as an intern.
But it wasn’t always that way for Joseph Egoavil.
“I didn’t know how to get involved at first,” Egoavil said.
WIth the help of his mother getting involved in the community and the support from The Advocates when his family lived there for a while, he decided he wanted to give back “for the good of his heart.”
Although he has been a community leader from the start of his high school years, Egoavil credits some of his advocacy and the recent work he has done with Herbert Romero, outreach community organizer, and emphasizes the importances of saying “yes.”
“Don’t be afraid to look out for yourself and for what you believe,” Egoavil said. “Think for yourself and not for your friends.”
In addition, he and other ETC interns wrote a book about healthy relationships, including breakups, different stages in denial and other resources in intimate relationships; he noted this as one of the most “memorable moments with The Advocates.”
“This book managed to reach out to different states,” Egoavil said. “Health classes have also used this book, as well.”
Graduation for Egoavil is just around the corner and he hopes that with his leadership and his accomplishments, other Hispanic/Latinx students will follow his lead.
“There’s always this stigma that Hispanic/Latinx students aren’t good at school or are troublemakers,” Egoavil said. “Remember that what’s trending doesn’t matter.”
NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
Un estudiante de 17 años de Wood River High School ha estado involucrado en la comunidad a través de organizaciones conocidas como la Coalición contra el Hambre, St Luke e incluso The Advocates ETC (Cada adolescente cuenta) programa como interno.
Pero no siempre fue así para Joseph Egoavil.
“Al principio no sabía cómo participar,” dijo Egoavil.
Con la ayuda de su madre involucrándose en la comunidad y el apoyo de The Advocates cuando su familia vivió allí por un tiempo, decidió que quería retribuir “por el bien de su corazón.”
“No tengas miedo de mirarte por ti mismo y por lo que crees,” dijo Egoavil. “Piensa por ti mismo y no por tus amigos.”
Además, él y otros internos parte de ETC escribieron un libro sobre relaciones saludables que incluye rupturas, diferentes etapas en la negación y otros recursos en las relaciones íntimas; señaló que este era uno de los “momentos memorables” con el programa.
“Este libro logró llegar a diferentes estados,” dijo Egoavil. “Las clases de salud también han utilizado este libro.”
La graduación de Egoavil está a la vuelta de la esquina y espera que con su liderazgo y sus logros, otros estudiantes hispanos/latinos sigan su ejemplo.
“Siempre existe el estigma de que los estudiantes hispanos/latinos no son buenos en la escuela o son alborotadores,” dijo Egoavil. “Recuerda que lo que son las ‘modas’ no importan.”