Students to receive advice on careers and college from community
members
Students are invited to an all-day event that will start with a
career fair, a keynote speaker and workshops throughout the day.
The Latino Student Leadership Conference is sponsored by League of
United Latin American Citizens, but is open to any local
student.
Students to receive advice on careers and college from community members
Students are invited to an all-day event that will start with a career fair, a keynote speaker and workshops throughout the day. The Latino Student Leadership Conference is sponsored by League of United Latin American Citizens, but is open to any local student.
“The sponsor happens to be LULAC, but it is a conference for kids,” said Frank Muro, the migrant education program specialist at San Benito High School. “It doesn’t matter where they come from or how they look.”
Mike Sanchez, the assistant superintendent of the San Benito County Office of Education, will be the master of ceremonies and the keynote speaker is Jesse Gonzalez, the executive assistant of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The morning workshops focus on success in business, getting into college or other career-oriented workshops. One session will deal with the importance of Latinos working in the media, and will be led by Esmeralda Montenegro, an anchor for KSMS 67 Univision station, and a graduate of the University of Southern California. Another session will look at careers in law enforcement.
Many of the sessions will be led by local Latino leaders.
“When we get a local that is something the kids are looking at constantly,” Muro said. “Antonio Vela is the vice principal at [San Benito High] School and when they see him they can dream of two things – having the position he has and making the type of money he makes.”
Vela will be coordinating a parents’ workshop in the afternoon that encourages parents to get involved in their children’s education.
“So many are immigrants and they are having a tough time making ends meet, let alone having time to become attuned to the society they are living with,” Muro said.
In addition to the parents’ workshop, the students will be broken up by gender for afternoon workshops. The goal is to allow the students a safe forum to share any issues they may have about their role and image in society.
Muro has been publicizing the event at the high school, and expects 400-500 participants at the conference.
The Latino Student Leadership Conference will be Saturday, Oct. 25 at San Benito High School, 1220 Monterey Street.
· 9 a.m. to 10 a.m – Career fair and breakfast snack
· 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – general assembly and keynote speaker
Featuring Master of Ceremonies Mike Sanchez, assistant superintendent of schools and Keynote Speaker Jesse Gonzalez, executive assistant of the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons
· 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – morning workshops
Room 230: How to succeed in business with Rudy Rodriguez, public affairs specialist for State Farm Insurance, and Victor Gomez, owner of Papa Murphy’s Pizza
Room 231: Making college a reality with Jeanette Acosta, a graduate of the University of Southern California and Enedina Ruiz, a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles
Room 232: Latinos in the Media with Esmeralda Montenegro, anchor for KSMS Channel 67
Room 233: Being your best self with Jim Caffiero, counselor for San Benito High School and San Benito County Behavioral Health
Room 234: Careers in law enforcement with Capt. Richard Vasquez and Officer Carlos Rodriguez of the Hollister Police Department
· 12:30 p.m. – lunch provided
· 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. – afternoon workshops
Room 230 – Latina issues for young women with Jeanette Acosta, a USC graduate and the United Farm Workers coordinator of Si Se Puede Learning Center
Auditorium – Latino issues for young men with Cesar Flores, a retired federal employee, actor and educator, and Ray Rodriguez, a parent
Cafeteria – Parent workshop for parents with Enedina Ruiz, a UCLA graduate and a daughter of immigrants and Antonio Vela, assistant principal of San Benito High School
After the workshops, students and their parents will gather for a closing session and are asked to complete an evaluation. Those who complete the entire day and the evaluation will be eligible for a drawing for a computer. Must be present to win.
