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Diving to the history of Manzanola

 

Manzanola, a small south in southeastern Colorado, is home to at least 500 residents including myself. The whole town is filled with rich history and tradition, and it has the most welcoming people that will treat you life family. Upon this, I’ve decided that my community project should be about Manzanola’s rich history. Social media and the internet are a big influence these days, I’ve decided to make an online document where everyone can read and learn about Manzanola’s history. The document is going to include the history of the high school, which was built in 1903, our town’s hero and veteran, Staff Sargent Justin L. Vasquez, who did the ultimate sacrifice for his country, stories and pictures from senior citizens, school alumni, and others.

 

Also, as a last minute idea, I’ve decided to raise the awareness of out migrant community, writing down their hardships and their importance to our town, school, and economy. I was also a migrant, however, my family decided to stay in Manzanola because of the school and it’s educational opportunity. I will interview them on their viewpoints that many people don’t bother to think about on a daily basis. People will have a different perspective and will see why they work on harsh conditions each day under the hot sun for numerous hours and extreme body ache only to earn $0.80 for each onion sack filled.

 

As for my career exploration, I am hoping to shadow a psychologist. When I took psychology at Otero Junior College, our professor showed us a documentary on how people usually are unattended at hospitals because of the absence of a psychologist. The first reaction of people when someone is suicidal, has major panic attacks, etc. they think of going to a hospital. I want to get my doctorate for psychology and come back to southeast Colorado and work at the La Junta hospital in the emergency room.

Youtube link to a psychology project with a partner (Emily Kelly) in school:  Invisible Rope Trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULhfBWCdS-0

03/27/2005 Camp Udairi- SSG Justin Vasquez, 26, of Manzanola, Colo., a member of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's Thunder Squadron, was killed in Iraq on June 5, 2005, when an improvised explosive device exploded next to his vehicle. Photo by TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS 	03/27/2005 Camp Udairi- SSG Justin Vasquez, 26, of Manzanola, Colo., a member of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's Thunder Squadron, was killed in Iraq on June 5, 2005, when an improvised explosive device exploded next to his vehicle. Photo by TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
03/27/2005 Camp Udairi- SSG Justin Vasquez, 26, of Manzanola, Colo., a member of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Thunder Squadron, was killed in Iraq on June 5, 2005, when an improvised explosive device exploded next to his vehicle. Photo by TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
03/27/2005 Camp Udairi- SSG Justin Vasquez, 26, of Manzanola, Colo., a member of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Thunder Squadron, was killed in Iraq on June 5, 2005, when an improvised explosive device exploded next to his vehicle. Photo by TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
Hispanic children play near a house at a migrant workers' camp near Manzanola (Otero County), Colorado. A manual washing machine, lumber, and large metal drum are nearby. estern History/Genealogy Dept., Denver Public Library
Hispanic children play near a house at a migrant workers’ camp near Manzanola (Otero County), Colorado. A manual washing machine, lumber, and large metal drum are nearby.
estern History/Genealogy Dept., Denver Public Library

 

Photo Credits to Roger Bower
Photo Credits to Roger Bower