The ninth annual Latino Student Leadership Conference this
Saturday at San Benito High School is designed to encourage Latino
students to stay in school, go to college and stimulate interest in
a variety of careers.
Hollister – The ninth annual Latino Student Leadership Conference this Saturday at San Benito High School is designed to encourage Latino students to stay in school, go to college and stimulate interest in a variety of careers.
While the event’s name derives from its sponsorship by the San Benito County League of United Latin American Citizens Council, organizers stress that it is free and open to all students.
It will bring together Hollister community leaders and Bay Area business leaders to help Latino high school students focus on some the unique challenges they will face in future.
SBHS Principal Debbie Padilla hopes to have 200 to 300 students attend. She said school officials have been promoting the conference for the last few weeks. Padilla attended the event last year and will go again this year because she believes it is vital for all of San Benito High School students.
“I think it really gives students a chance to see role models in our community,” Padilla said. “Students have a chance to really open up and ask important questions.”
In an effort to promote higher education, representatives from several colleges, universities and other local educational agencies have been invited to attend to answer students’ questions about college enrollment requirements and programs.
The event will also feature career workshops that will include presentations on banking, business development, education, media and law enforcement.
Hollister Police Capt. Richard Vasquez will participate in a law enforcement career workshop with Chief of Police Jeff Miller and Officer Rosie Betanio.
“The reason I like this event is because it is a positive leadership program,” Vasquez said. “And particularly at such a young age, the more positive programs we can offer, the better (students) will be in the long run.”
The workshop will focus on law enforcement opportunities for high school students, and specifically for women and Latinos, Vasquez said.
In addition to helping students, Vasquez believes the event can also be beneficial to the Hollister Police Department in terms of attracting new recruits familiar with the community.
“We stress education, specifically higher education because of the opportunities it opens up,” he said. “We want (students) to see what possibilities they have here in Hollister. In the long-run this will be a big plus for the Hollister Police Department and for the community.”
Students will also be able to learn about business management in the corporate world from State Farm Public Affairs Specialist Rudy Rodriguez.
“As a Latino I will be sharing some of the experiences and challenges I’ve had in the corporate world,” Rodriguez said. “There’s not many Latinos in the corporate world so I will also be talking about some of State Farm’s diversity efforts.”
Rodriguez said he is looking forward to Saturday’s event, which he believes will be beneficial for all students who attend.
The event will be held Oct. 15 in the San Benito High School cafeteria from 9am to 2:30pm.
