September 23, 2017
Dr.
Henry Schwerner and the Class of 1961
Michael
Schwerner Memorial Scholarship
Dear Dr. Henry Schwerner and the Class of 1961,
My
name is Elizabeth De Los Reyes and I am currently a junior majoring in
Government with a minor in Latin American Studies. I am writing to express my
sincere gratitude to you for making the Michael Schwerner Memorial Scholarship possible. I was thrilled to
learn of my selection for this honor and I am
deeply appreciative of your support.
I grew up in the Rio
Grande Valley of South Texas, a border town known for its Spanglish and
extraordinary breakfast tacos. My hometown instilled in me a love for culture
and language that I continue to develop today. Many of the topics that captured
my interest revolved around the Valley’s history, from Gloria Anzaldúa’s
writings that helped build a multicultural feminist movement to its past as a
territory –– once part of Mexico, lost during the
1836 Texas Revolution and finally ceded to the United States in 1848. This town
was my classroom and gave me a glimpse of the complexities of our world. My
interests developed in high school during the hours I spent in after
school Mock Trial Club practices, debating and analyzing cases, reveling in the
intensity and unpredictability of argumentation. I looked forward to studying
an intersection of my intellectual curiosities in college.
One of the things
that initially attracted me to Cornell University and inspired me to transfer
from the University of Rochester was the Government and Latin American Studies
Program. The way in which both departments presented the multiplicity of
interests and forms of power in American politics and foreign policy intrigued
me. As an individual that grew up in a border town, I was able to witness how
national security and bilateral policies with Mexico affected my community.
Ultimately, this led me to believe that exploring the relationship between the
United States and Latin America was critical for my understanding of domestic
and foreign policy.
Although I have only
been at Cornell for one month so far, I can sincerely say it has been extremely
rewarding and promising. Outside of classes, I am involved in the Committee on
U.S.-Latin American Relations as a Program Assistant. Besides researching and
producing documents for CUSLAR’s blogs and print newsletter, I also coordinate
events that aim to promote a greater understanding of Latin America and the
Caribbean in the Ithaca community. I am also independently pursuing a research
project centered around Operation Intercept of 1969. Operation Intercept was
President Nixon’s unilateral attempt to block the flow of drugs from Mexico
into the United States by interrupting traffic on
the 2,000-mile line that separates the countries. This was an attempt to urge
Mexico’s cooperation in antidrug efforts. Prior to transferring to
Cornell, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Mexico City and conduct
archival research in support of my independent study. Many of my findings
consisted of newspapers and correspondence between representatives of Mexico,
demonstrating how United States’ unilateralism affected Mexican sovereignty. I
hope to expand on my research and explore how U.S.-Mexico relations have
changed since then.
I am excited to see
what Cornell has in store for me and I am even more enthusiastic to contribute
to its wonderful mission of “any person, any study.” I am fortunate that I have
found a journey in Cornell, and I am extremely grateful that Dr. Henry
Schwerner and the Class of 1961 has made it possible. Growing up in a border
town presented its fair share of unique perspectives but it left me a desire to
learn about the intricacies of our world and other people in it.
Pursuing higher
education was a goal that was instilled in me and my siblings since we were in
elementary school. The reality is that for many immigrant parents without
educational background or fluency in English, opportunities for employment are
scarce. A degree represented the idea that my sisters and I were free to pursue
our passions and interests without merely focusing on making ends meet. By
awarding me the Michael Schwerner Memorial Scholarship, you have lightened my
financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of
school - learning. Your generosity has inspired me to be an active force for
justice in my community, and for that I cannot thank you enough.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth De Los
Reyes