The beauty of the Mestizo Arts & Activism program is that the students select the issues they will investigate and attempt to bring about social changes. The students are keenly aware of the high dropout rate among Hispanic/Latino students, let alone the challenges students face if they want to attend college.

To help with the latter issue, the students created a blog to help undocumented high school students access information about college, applicable state laws, scholarship opportunities and entrance requirements. The blog, found at www.educatexcambio.blogspot.com, is particularly important because the students' research revealed that undocumented students are afraid to ask school counselors for assistance because of the fear of deportation. Students constantly update the blog, which is written in English and Spanish.

Perhaps what is most impressive about the student work is the tremendous amount of research behind every effort. Many adult advocates could learn a great deal from these students. Another bonus is that U. students also help mentor the high school students while they conduct their own research on the activism project itself.

The program is supported by the University Neighborhood Partners program and the Mestizo Institute of Culture and Art, which is the perfect incubator for such work.

As Cahill says, "We're all committed to social justice. That's what all of these projects revolve around."

Mestizo Arts & Activism will conduct an open house from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, at the coffeehouse. The public is invited.

Marjorie Cortez, who looks forward to the students' findings on the news media and people of color, is a Deseret News editorial writer. E-mail her at Marjorie@desnews.com