Rep. Adelita Grijalva awards student recognition certificates to three Yuma schools

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is visiting Yuma to award student recognition certificates to three local schools.

According to a press release, Rep. Grijalva is awarding the certificates to Yuma High School, Fourth Avenue Junior High School and Woodard Junior High School.

The press release says the congresswoman works with all schools in her district to identify students with a good community and academic standing.

Grijalva says in Washington, they are making it very difficult on a number of key issues for students, like getting pell grants and student loans.

"It has been very very frustrating to see the things that we're focused on, a lot of privatization federal voucher programs those kind of things that we know statistically harm our students and that over 90% of students that attend our private schools all over the nation and especially here in Arizona," says Grijalva.

She also touched on the topic of affordability, saying that decisions are being made on tariffs that negatively impact our gas prices, grocery bills, and federal jobs.

Grijalva adds, "We have to acknowledge that not everyone has my same opinion, even in my district, so I'm going to do my best to represent this community and fight for affordability because that is what we need to be successful."

The congresswoman spoke on some of the main issues going on in Washington, but her visit was also to recognize students from three different schools for their strong academic performance and commitment to their communities.

"The two students that I was able to give a certificate too.. It's the first two students that I've been able to give a congressional recognition too since I've been in office, so that's really special," says Grijalva.

Grijalva said these are typically certificates they would give during senior honors, but since she couldn't make it for that, she wanted to meet them in person before hand.

"It about leadership, and civic engagement, and maybe not the traditional 4.0 student that their both are doing well academically but their well-rounded students involved in other things."

Grijalva also gave some advice to the students and told them an education is something no one can take away from you.

"An investment in yourself is whether it is in any kind of education or it's a trade school community college, university, education is something no one can ever take from you," Grijalva informs.

We spoke to one of the students who received the recognition about how accepting this award made him feel.

"I'm actually really happy and really excited about getting this award, especially because I've put in a lot of hard work and it shows that hard work does pay off," says Jared Nuñez, a Yuma High School student.

Grijalva encourages students to reach for the stars, dream big, and invest in yourself.