Setting up Scholarship in Mom and Dad's Name

Guillermo “William” and Diana Gutierrez Abriendo Puertas Scholarship

As many of you know, we lost my parents to Covid. We want to find a way to honor their lives, love and legacy by creating an Austin Independent School District scholarship in their name.

What many of you may not know is that my parents were students in the AISD in the 1950s and 1960s when there was not only systemic racism, but overt racism as well. My dad had to have an “American” name to enroll in elementary school, so our family legally changed his birth name “Guillermo” to “William.” Most of you know my dad as William, Willie or even Bill. Additionally, they were Spanish shamed and were not allowed to speak Spanish at school. They were reprimanded if they were caught speaking Spanish. And finally, once they were in high school Mexican-Americans were put on the trade school track, while their white counterparts were on the college track. My mom dreamt of becoming a teacher. My parents didn’t enroll in college after high school. My dad dropped out in the 10th grade and my mom earned a trade. My dad later went back for his GED. I’m proud to say that despite lack of opportunity or anyone encouraging them to go to college, they both earned college credits in adulthood.

Despite having so many doors closed because of their Spanish names and brown skin, they always valued education and they wanted more for my brother and me. They were very active in our schools when we became students in AISD. They were at every Back To School Night, Booster Club and PTA meetings, and my dad was even PTA president at times. They were at every band concert, athletic event and fundraiser that we ever participated in.

Their support in our education didn’t stop there. In an incredibly selfless act, my parents worked 5 jobs to get me through college. That is something that no family should ever have to do. But my parents wanted all doors to be open for me and my future family. Once I became a teacher, they did all they could to support my students. They served as chaperones on field trips (even overnight ones), they were in the stands cheering the players I coached, they barbecued for students and teachers, they helped with fundraisers, they even continued to serve on the PTSA and CAC. My brother and I both married educators. My parents were no strangers to helping their students as well, in the same capacities.

Because my dad was stripped of “Guillermo”, we are using it in the scholarship to restore his proper name in AISD. Because of the lack of open doors they had, yet fighting hard to open doors for my brother and me, we are calling this the “Abriendo Puertas” or “Opening Doors” scholarship. This scholarship will be for eligible AISD seniors pursuing a four year degree. With the scholarship will also come their very own, personal college coaches free of charge.

Please consider contributing what you can to help honor my parents and to open doors for college-bound seniors. There will be many obstacles in their way, but a little financial assistance can help ease the burden. If you can’t afford to donate money right now, please share our Go Fund Me page. And if nothing else, I encourage you to learn the academic struggles your parents and families faced. It’s quite empowering and instills a great sense of responsibility and gratitude.

Thank you.

The Gutierrez Family