Mr. Mendoza—known to so many in our school and community as Pepe-is a beloved Spanish teacher at Uintah High School. Through his dedication, knowledge, and genuine care for his students, Pepe has made a lasting difference in the lives of countless young people.

Pepe teaches AP Spanish as well as the 9th-grade Dual Language Immersion class, and he has helped grow the success and opportunities available to Spanish students at Uintah High School.

The results speak for themselves.

In May 2022, before Pepe's arrival, 3 of 19 students passed the AP Spanish exam, a passing rate of 15.79%.

From May 2023 through May 2026, 147 students took the AP Spanish exam, and 106 passed with a score of 3 or higher—an overall passing rate of 72.11%.

That growth has also opened the door to college-level Spanish opportunities for UHS students. In the 2022–23 school year, there were only 2 students in the USU Spanish Bridge class. Because passing the AP Spanish exam is a requirement for this college-level course, the growth in AP success has made a significant difference. For the current 2026–27 school year, more than 48 students are now qualified to register for the USU Spanish Bridge class.

Through the Bridge program, students can continue their Spanish education at the college level while still in high school, studying advanced coursework in language, culture, and history.

Beyond the classroom, Pepe has truly become part of our community. He regularly shows up for school and local events and has built meaningful relationships with students, families, and neighbors.

Pepe is also a highly qualified educator. He holds a Master of Education in Education Leadership, completed in May 2023, and a Utah Professional Educator License in Secondary Education with professional endorsements in Spanish, Dual Immersion, and English as a Second Language.

Pepe has the opportunity to continue teaching at Uintah High School, but an H-1B visa is needed for him to remain beyond the time allowed by his current J-1 visa.

The Uintah School District has agreed to sponsor Pepe's H-1B visa application, contingent on the necessary funds being raised and donated to the district for this purpose.

H-1B sponsorship involves required application fees and legal expenses. These employer-related costs cannot legally be paid by Pepe himself, which is why our community is coming together to help raise the funds needed for his sponsorship.

Funds raised through this effort will be donated to Uintah School District and explicitly earmarked for the DLI program and Pepe's H-1B visa application.

The district has provided a written Statement of Intent confirming that privately donated funds earmarked for the DLI program and raised through December 31, 2026, will be used for DLI teacher retention, including the costs associated with Pepe's H-1B sponsorship.

If funds remain after the H-1B costs are covered, or if funds cannot be used for DLI teacher retention, the district has stated that those funds will remain earmarked for DLI and will be used at the discretion of the building principals to provide supplies and materials for DLI classrooms.

Pepe has invested so much in our students, and the growth of the program shows just how much of an impact that investment has made.

Please consider donating or sharing this fundraiser to help Pepe remain at Uintah High School and continue providing students with the opportunities, education, and encouragement that have already made such a difference in their lives.