Jose Enriquez started Latinos in Action for high school students to see role models. Six years later, the group is becoming role models for a younger generation -- and most don't even know it.

"They need to see Latinos in the community who can be their mentors," said Enriquez, Provo High School's assistant principal. "There are people who have paved the road for them, and oftentimes they just don't know it."

Last week, the group had an opportunity to attend a Latinos in Leadership conference at UVSC -- where they listened to speakers such as David Dominguez, a BYU law professor, and learned about scholarships available for Hispanic students.

The Timpview High group volunteers at nearby Edgemont Elementary four days a week. Last month they logged 191.5 volunteer hours at the school, according to Kirk Skyles, the group's adviser.

"I tell them all the time how much the kids look up to them, but I still don't think some of them realize the impact they're having," said Sara Wall, a teacher at Edgemont.

Each week, three Latino students tutor in her classroom, helping with reading comprehension and fluency.

"When I started the school year, more than half my students were below grade level, and one-third of them spoke a language other than English," Wall said. "They have improved dramatically since the Latinos in Action group started coming and helping with their reading."

Wall said the high school students have helped her with translations and have helped break down the barriers between the students' different cultures.

Most of the students have seen a 40 percent increase in their overall reading fluency rate, she said.

"When I came here, I didn't know any English, so I know what they're going through," said Camila Lopez, a 17-year-old from Argentina. "It feels good when they get good grades and I see them trying."

She hopes to become a special education teacher after she graduates, and said being in an elementary is also teaching her more about the English language.

"We have to know how to spell things, so when the kids ask us, we can tell them," Lopez said. "Sometimes we have to look things up to be able to help them."

Latinos in Action is open to students who use English as a second language, want to help the community and maintain a 2.5 grade point average, Enriquez said.

The students are often helping with interpreting for parent-teacher conferences and junior high meetings with parents and counselors. They're also involved with promoting diversity at their own schools with activities and by participating in activities such as student government and athletics, he said.

"Oftentimes, these kids don't have a chance to be in the spotlight for their bilingual skills," Enriquez said.

There are three Latinos in Action programs in Utah County: at Timpview, Independence and Provo high schools. Enriquez hopes to one day spread the program throughout the state. Wasatch High School in Heber City started the group this year, and Enriquez has plans to meet with Cyprus High School in Magna.

Enriquez said the ultimate goal is for the high school students to go on to become teachers.

Nefily Ladezma is an example of Enriquez's goal.

"I really liked the feeling of knowing I was serving my community and helping others like me," said Ladezma, a current BYU special education student and former Latinos in Action member at Provo High. "I don't know how much we impacted those elementary students, but I have valued from the experience."

Brooke Barker is available at 344-2559 or at bbarker@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.