On March 6th, we celebrated a momentous occasion – the grand opening of our high school in Chajul! We were joined by ~500 supporters including our 95 students and their families, emerging leaders (alumni), construction workers, a group of 25 visitors participating in our Community Engagement Trip, as well as many funders and supporters who traveled from near and far including representatives from volunteer architecture firm Design Develop and our construction partner, Building Goodness Foundation.

This grand opening wasn’t just a celebration for our students and families—it was our way of honoring and celebrating every single person who believed in this dream, invested in our mission, and walked this journey with to make this day possible. As Country Co-Director Odilia Cedillo reminded everyone, “These results are the outcome of a collective effort—one that has brought together partner organizations, supporting foundations, volunteers, and many dedicated individuals.”

The grand opening celebration began with a moving speech by high schooler Karelyn, setting the tone for a day filled with pride and inspiration. We swayed to the rhythm of a heartfelt song performed by our 9th graders, followed by a series of thoughtful remarks from our leadership team. Next, our high school students stepped into the spotlight with a powerful skit, weaving together memories of their three and a half years at Colegio Horizontes and sharing dreams of their future professional career paths. A burst of color and rhythm followed as our 7th and 8th graders performed a traditional folk dance honoring their cultural roots. To close the celebration, high schooler Analinda offered words that captured the heart of the day: “Education is no longer just an individual goal; it has become the most powerful tool to break cycles, open doors, and prove that change is possible…This new building is not just concrete and walls; it is a space where our dreams will take flight, where every student will discover their potential, where stories of success will be built for generations to come.”

Speech Highlights

“Education is a right, but for many, it remains a daily struggle. Today, as we inaugurate the high school of Colegio Horizontes, we renew our commitment to opening doors for those who have faced more obstacles than opportunities. Here, every student has the chance to change their story. That is the transformative power of education. Because in a world where barriers seem insurmountable, education remains the key to unlocking the future.”

–Odilia Cedillo, Country Co-Director and Director of Colegio Horizontes

“Thank you for being part of this moment, for planting hope and opportunities in a community that continues to face great challenges but one that also demonstrates incredible resilience and a strong desire to get ahead…we are excited to celebrate this great step toward a future full of opportunities and limitless horizons.”

-Karelyn, High Schooler

“The impact of education for our former Limitless Horizons Ixil scholars is profound and rewarding—and to think, that was when we were just a scholarship program. Can we imagine what – in just a few years – the students of Colegio Horizontes will give back to this community as professionals? We will have doctors, architects, perhaps even a paleontologist. Our students’ aspirations are as great as our commitment to them.”

–Zuliana Lopez, Country Co-Director

“We grew up in an environment where access to education was limited, especially for girls. But here, at Colegio Horizontes, that barrier is being torn down. The story of Maya Ixil girls is being rewritten. Leadership is being exercised. Our cultural identity is being embraced. Futures are being built—because when a community has access to education, everything changes.“

-Analinda, High Schooler

“After seeing our school in action these past three years, I can confidently say that our youth no longer have a ceiling. In these early years of Colegio Horizontes, they have accomplished far more than we imagined possible and they continue to learn, grow into leaders, think critically, and use their empowered voices in ways that leave us speechless.”

-Katie Morrow, Executive Director

We are deeply grateful to every single hand and heart that helped build this school—literally and figuratively. “A single seed does not grow on its own, but together—as a team, a community—we have nurtured this project and it has flourished.”

Gracias, t’an tiuxh, thank you for making this dream a reality for the community of Chajul that will resonate for generations to come.