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Contact: Todd Burns, 277-5813 or |
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| January 17, 2003
BINDER CREDITS TWO LOS ALAMOS TEACHERS FOR GIVING HER CONFIDENCE TO ACCOMPLISH GOALS
Binder, 26, made the journey from Venezuela to Los Alamos when she was
10 years old. Her parents, LeRoy and Laura Binder, were on their way to
Canada when they stopped to visit family in Los Alamos. Attracted by the
small town atmosphere, low crime rate and "good air," they decided
to stay. Binder attended the fifth grade in Los Alamos. Elementary school was
overwhelming at first but she adjusted. "I liked that we didn't have to wear uniforms and I didn't really
notice a difference except that I couldn't speak English," Binder
said. "I learned English in about two or three months and then I
never stopped talking- I was always in trouble in high school for talking
too much." Binder excelled in sports during high school. As a Hill Topper, she lettered
in track and volleyball. It was sports that made Binder feel accepted
as a black and Latin minority. "The first time I really felt comfortable and accepted was in the
eight grade when I made the volleyball team," Binder said. Binder credits two of her middle school teachers, Mr. Quinn and Ms. Cooper,
for giving her confidence to accomplish her goals. "They cared for me and treated me nice. I wanted to do well for
them," she said. Binder is still doing well considering where she began. Her modest beginning
in Venezuela was difficult. Binder describes her old home as a place filled
with poverty and violence where people who have no way out. "I'm happy just being able to eat and live. Material things can
be gone in a heartbeat," Binder said. "But I don't just want
to exist, I want to make a difference in at least one person's life." Binder continues to make a difference in her own life. After graduating
from Los Alamos High School in 1994, Binder attended New Mexico State
University for a year. She then transferred to UNM. "Being sociable, I needed something more," Binder said. "Albuquerque
is more diverse." Binder will graduate in December with a bachelor's in criminology and
complete her Spanish degree in May. Binder wants to move to Spain and
teach or perform social work. Like her role model, Martin Luther King Jr., Binder wants to make a difference in the world. ### |
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Please let us know what you thought of this article. Comments to: paaffair@unm.edu |
The University
of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981
University
of New Mexico student Lua Binder was 11 years old when she saw snow for
the first time. Coming from Venezuela, Binder was accustomed to sun, rain
and beaches.