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Karla Lopez-Owens, a 1L at IU McKinney, received an award at the annual Cesar Chavez Dinner on March 29, presented by the IUPUI Latino Student Association.

Lopez-Owens was the recipient of the “Si Se Puede!/ Yes We Can! Award,” also known as the Fernando Mercado Award. This Student Leader Award is given to an IUPUI student who “embodies the leadership qualities of Chavez and inspired other students to do the same,” according to the event program. The award also is in memory of Fernando Mercado, who was a student leader and mentor within the IUPUI and the Indianapolis community.

“Being nominated for the Fernando Mercado Student Leader Award (and receiving it!) was very meaningful to me,” Lopez-Owens said. “Amidst the current events happening in Indiana with the passing of legislation that makes the LGBT community feel persecuted, being among the hundreds of people carrying Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez's legacy was truly encouraging. The legacy of the migrant (and immigrant) farmworkers movement then was, and continues to be, one of inclusiveness, support, and a sense of community. I can only hope that this award serves as a reflection of how I'd like to spend my time here at McKinney and Indiana, dedicating my time to serving the public and fighting ardently to cure injustices while creating opportunities for individuals who have been, and still are, marginalized by oppressive laws and systems that prevent them from reaching their full potential.”