The 42 first-graders in the new " I Have a Dream" class at Lafayette's Sanchez Elementary are ready to take the stage and share their dreams.

The students on Wednesday practiced talking about what they want to be when they grow up, along with going over the "dreamer" pledge, in preparation for Thursday's dedication ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at Centaurus High School.

The La Vista class is the "I Have a Dream" Foundation's sixth class in Lafayette and the first to start with first-graders. Previous classes started in second or third grade.

Lori Canova, CEO of the "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County, said the foundation moved to first grade to make the biggest impact. The students are all from low-income backgrounds.

"We want to help close that achievement gap, and literacy is the key thing," she said. "With literacy, the earlier the better. Our big dream is that we can have a dreamer class every year and really have a dreamer academy in Lafayette."

The students will receive support through after-school and summer school programs through high school, plus a promise for $10,000 toward college.

Along with a program director who commits to staying with the class through high school graduation, the students are supported by AmeriCorps members, mentors and tutors — and they're always looking for volunteer tutors.

At Sanchez, the AmeriCorps members also are helping in the first-grade classrooms during the school day.

"We can learn what they're working on and where they might be behind," Canova said.

Iván Díaz, the La Vista class program director, said in the first few weeks they're mainly working on routines and structure, along with getting to know the students.

"It's been awesome," he said. "We have great students."

For the students, doctor, police officer and teacher are all popular dreams.

"I want to be an astronaut so I can go on the moon and I can jump," said first-grader Gabriel Gutierrez.

Classmate Xiomarah McElwain said she has two dreams: Graduate college and become a physical therapist.

"I want to help people get better," she said.

Julius Steele said he wants to be a tow truck driver, noting the joy people feel when they see their broken cars fixed. As a short-term goal, he wants to join the jump rope team at Angevine Middle School.

He added that he's looking forward to the dedication because "after the ceremony, we're going to have cake."

Sabrina Guardado Pineda said she just wants to help people, maybe by giving them money.

"That's how people can buy stuff and that's really nice," she said.

Amy Bounds: 303-473-1341, boundsa@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/boundsa

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