At RCMA, we’re always thrilled to share stories of our alumni’s successes, and today, we have some fantastic news to celebrate! Recently, the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA) selected two of our very own RCMA alumni for their prestigious internship program. Congratulations to Berenice Verdugo and Luz Selena Vázquez Hernández, who, along with a young man from Oregon, were chosen for this incredible opportunity. These remarkable young college students have roots in the farm worker community and began their early childhood education in Migrant and Seasonal Head Start classrooms across the United States.
Meet Berenice Verdugo
Berenice is a rising senior at the University of South Florida in Tampa, majoring in Global Business with a concentration in Management. Her choice of study is a unique blend of business administration, language studies, and overseas experiences. Just this past spring break, Berenice traveled to Quebec, Canada, gaining valuable insights into international business and cultural diversity.
Hailing from Crescent City, Florida, Berenice’s journey of service and academic excellence began at a young age. She has been actively involved in her community and church since she was seven. Her family works in green plant agriculture, collecting deer moss, Spanish moss, vines, and packaging plants for nurseries. Berenice herself worked in this field, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of her roots.
Berenice’s educational journey began at the Redlands Christian Migrant Association in Seville, Florida. Her aspiration to start a non-profit organization reflects her commitment to applying the knowledge and skills she has acquired to give back to her community.
Meet Luz Selena Vázquez Hernández
Luz is a first-generation college student studying Public Policy with a minor in Leadership to Organizations at Michigan State University. Her background as a farmworker involved migrating from Florida to Michigan and picking various crops, including strawberries, squash, jalapeños, and blueberries, in challenging weather conditions from sunrise to sunset.
From infancy until the age of five, Luz attended the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), which she fondly recalls as a second home where she learned to walk, speak, and develop essential skills. Most importantly, it was at RCMA that she first learned to speak English.
Luz is passionate about advocating for migrant farmworker awareness. Recently, she collaborated with peers to create an exhibition titled “Las Alas Invisibles: The Unseen Wings,” honoring the migrant farmworker community at MSU during National Farmworker Awareness Week.
A Bright Future Ahead
We are incredibly proud of Berenice and Luz and wish them much success in this next step of their educational journey. Their stories are a testament to the power of education, hard work, and community support. They embody the spirit of RCMA and the limitless potential of our students.
Join us in celebrating their achievements and cheering them on as they continue to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. Here’s to the bright futures of Berenice Verdugo and Luz Selena Vázquez Hernández!
