A recent story in the Seattle Times highlighted the efforts of Linda Armijo, who, two decades ago, started an organization — the Hispanic Academic Achievers Program (HAAP) — that helps underprivileged Hispanic youth attend college by providing them with scholarships. HAAP has provided $2.8 million in aid, and this year, hopes to distribute $100,000 between about 25 students. Armijo never got a college degree herself, but she has helped more than 400 students from Benton City, the Tri-Cities and Connell pursue higher education.

At a time when state legislators have slashed $214 million from the UW, and tuition caps are being removed, it feels as if the government undervalues our education and the ability of students to be able to attain higher education.

Members of our community, like Armijo, value education enough to try to make up for legislators’ actions. During these tough times, it is important to appreciate higher education as much as the donors who have helped hundreds of students attain it.

We have a rare opportunity to attain a degree at a university. Only about 25 percent of Americans, 25 and older, have a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

As a part of that 25 percent, let’s value our education as much as Armijo does. Let’s be grateful that we get the chance to read a textbook and be part of a class discussion.

It’s not enough to be grateful, though: Let’s truly appreciate. It doesn’t have to be in the form of donating dollars after graduation or trying to be more positive while signing our paychecks away to the UW. We can participate in class more often, enjoy the cherry trees and thank our TAs for staying up all night grading tests.

Let’s see our time at the UW through Armijo’s eyes.

This is the opinion of The Daily’s Editorial Board: Editor-in-Chief Sarah Jeglum, Managing Editor Erinn Unger, Sports Editor Christian Caple, Features Editor Randy Ferreiro, Opinion Editor Natalie Sikavi and Copy Chief Parisa Sadrzadeh.