High School Graduate and valedictorian, Mayte Lara, went viral after posting a caption under a gallery of pictures that read, “Valedictorian, 4.5GPA, full tuition paid for at UT, 13 cords and medals, nice legs, oh and I’m undocumented.”
What people are saying about Crockett valedictorian Mayte Lara’s viral tweet https://t.co/6hov3QS40o pic.twitter.com/AByJq7a4Dz
— Austin Statesman (@statesman) June 9, 2016
Within hours of Lara’s post, she was bombarded with hate on social media by people angry about the fact that the high school graduate received a free scholarship while being an “illegal.” Lara’s Twitter account has since been deleted due to the amount of anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Open your eyes America
They sneak in. You pay for their health & education. And they MOCK you for it#BuildTheWall pic.twitter.com/F5irq7z7W8
— Jared Wyand (@JaredWyand) June 6, 2016
@maytelara29 #DeportationForce coming to a dorm near you. #MAGA pic.twitter.com/JwE03qr650
— MR (@MikeRotondo86) June 5, 2016
Will this affect her scholarship? The University of Texas says no. According to the Daily Mail, a spokesman for the university stated: “In accordance with state law, Texas universities – including the University of Texas schools – have for decades granted two semester tuition waivers to valedictorians of Texas public high schools, without regard to their residency status.
“‘State law also does not distinguish between documented and undocumented graduates of Texas high schools in admissions and financial aid decisions. University policies reflect that law.”
Despite being bullied off Twitter, Lara has been receiving an incredible amount of online support. Just ask Solange Knowles.
You are so pop’n #MayteLara ??
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) June 9, 2016
Watch her speech: