Students in a class at East Aurora High School titled “Survivor Literature”  have been studying literature from major historical events where survival was at a premium. This year, they have become interested in immigration. They have read the book, The Devil’s Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea, which chronicles the attempt of 26 men to cross the border from Mexico to the U.S. in 2001; 14 of the men never made it, and died chasing their dreams.

The students have decided that they want to partner with the author, Urrea, and fundraise for an organization called “El Centro De Información”, located in Elgin.  Centro de Información is a not-for-profit Hispanic social service agency that helps more than 15,000 predominantly low-income Hispanic immigrants each year by providing bilingual advocacy, information and referral, immigration and naturalization services, parenting skills training, community education and youth programs.

To raise the funds, as well as to raise awareness for this important issue, the students have created the “Aurora to Elgin: A Walk for Lost Dreams” walk, during which the students will trek the 20 plus miles from downtown Aurora to El Centro de Información in Elgin.  The students are walking to connect with the journey the men in The Devil’s Highway embarked upon, while also creating a dialogue around the issue of immigration.