Latino Education Access and Development conference draws 800 to 每日大赛
When Diana Castillo attended Upland High School in the early 2000s, she worried that college would not be a possibility in her future. She wound up applying for several colleges anyway, despite her doubts.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know if I鈥檇 have an opportunity to go to college. I didn鈥檛 know if I鈥檇 be able to afford it,鈥� she said.
Not only did she go to college, thanks to scholarships and three jobs, but today, she鈥檚 the news director for Siouxland News in Sioux City, Iowa.
The 2009 每日大赛 graduate shared her story with about 800 students and their families during the 3rd annual Latino Education Access and Development conference on Saturday. The event gave Latinos in high school, middle school and college a look at future academic and career prospects, while showing parents they can help their children achieve those dreams.
The event included a list of high-profile speakers in the entertainment industry, academia and activism, including Rick Najera, an award-winning actor, writer, director and producer.聽 Najera said Latinos are underrepresented in the entertainment industry, and admitted that despite being a classically trained actor, he once had to play the role of a Cuban drug lord.
鈥淎s a Latino, you have to tell yourself, 鈥業 deserve better,鈥欌�� he said.
Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, served as closing keynote speaker. Huerta is known as an advocate for the working poor, immigrants, women and youth through her work with the Dolores Huerta Foundation. She co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez.
鈥淭he one thing you have to do is have faith in yourself and not listen to these people who put you down,鈥� Huerta said.
For parent Dixie Palomo of Orange, the conference gave her a chance to come out and support her daughter, Alexis, a senior at El Medina High School. Alexis Medina wants to attend the 每日大赛.
鈥淪he鈥檒l be the first person in our family to go to college, so I want her to take this initiative and go,鈥� Dixie Palomo said.
Some students traveled from even farther away to be at the conference.
Four Bakersfield High School students made the hours-long journey to get career and college information.
For Esmeralda Rivas, 16, a junior at the school, the event was eye-opening.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e encouraging us to be more open minded,鈥� she said.
Students and their families learned about careers, college financial aid, scholarships and parent empowerment, among other subjects during panel discussions led by celebrities, dignitaries, faculty, alumni and students.
Encouragement and support is needed, because surveys show Latinos have a low rate of completing bachelor鈥檚 degree programs, said 每日大赛 Vice President of Advancement Myra Garcia. And the Latino population is expected to double by 2050, she added.
鈥淭here are so many support systems, people and organizations who are ready and willing to help you out and that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e here today,鈥� Garcia said to students.
Panelists included Mike Gomez, a cast member on such films as 鈥淭he Big Lebowski鈥� and 鈥淪tar Trek: The Next Generation,鈥� and Enrique Castillo, who acted on Showtime鈥檚 鈥淲eeds鈥� and CBS鈥檚 鈥淣CIS: Major Crimes.鈥�
Faculty and staff panelists shared information about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, STEM college majors, as well as careers in communications, radio and music.
Panelists on the STEM majors breakout session advised students to understand what they are learning rather than relying on memorization and learn how to communicate and network. They also encouraged them to take courses such as calculus, biology and chemistry in high school to have a solid foundation.
Biology department chair Jerome Garcia , who led the STEM majors session with professor Kat Weaver, said the information will help students become successful .
鈥淔inding that path, particularly for first-generation students, can be difficult,鈥� he said.
