The 68th Annual State Convention of California State LULAC ended with the adoption of a comprehensive agenda of bringing California State LULAC to the forefront of activity in the areas of civil rights, education, and immigration reform, at the state and national level.
“Our 68th Annual State Convention was a smashing success,” stated Dave Rodriguez, California LULAC state director. “Each component of the Convention was informative and productive, especially the invited guest speakers – they were enlightening and inspiring. Many thanks to District Director Vince Luna and his team of District #12 members and volunteers for the planning of this most successful convention.
Ironically, it was 12 years ago that the California LULAC State Convention was held in Monterey and planned by then State Director Mickie Luna and her team of district officers which produced quite a successful state convention and changed and re-structured the planning of future state conventions.
The Annual State Convention was held on May 15-17at the Hilton Garden Inn in Monterey and proved to the statewide membership that volunteerism and dedication to issues within your community pays off.
Recognitions of service to LULAC were awarded to youth and young adults from San Benito County LULAC for the continuance of volunteer work they perform in their community and for other agencies throughout San Benito County.
Andres Rodriguez, recent graduate of CSU Northridge was awarded the Young Man/Collegiate Award, Elizabeth Zepeda, Student at CSUMB, was awarded the Council Young Woman/Collegiate Award and the San Benito County Collegiate Council #3084 received the State Collegiate Council Award, received by Alexa Salazar, graduating student at CA State University, East Bay in Hayward. Currently San Benito County LULAC has 44 College/University students from this community attending Statewide and out of State Universities.
The San Benito County Youth Council #705 was recognized with an award received by Raquel Vasquez, current graduate from the GECA Program at Gavilan College, who will be attending UC Irvine in the Fall.
The highlight of the Convention was the Sunday morning Youth and Young Adults Leadership Breakfast where former San Benito County LULAC Youth members were invited back as special guests and motivator speakers for the youth.
- Linda Ogás, Associate Clinical Social Worker, Masters in Social work, San Jose State University Graduate of SBHS, Class of 1990.
- Oscar Ramos, Educator, Monterey County, SBHS 1992 Graduate, UC Berkeley
- Dr. Eduardo Cervantes, Education Degree in International and Multicultural Education with a focus on Organization and Leadership, UCSC and SFSU , Graduate of SBHS, Class of 1997.
- Martin Gonzales, University of the Pacific, Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration, current General Academic Tutoring Center Manager at UOP, Graduate of SBHS Class of 2008.
Current student speakers were:
- Elizabeth Zepeda, CA St. University, Monterey Bay. Graduate of SBHS, 2012
- Alexa Salazar, CSU, East Bay at Hayward, Graduate of SBHS, 2011
A proud moment was when the Youth Leadership Breakfast Emcee, Mike Sanchez, former San Benito County Superintendent, introduced all students whom he had encouraged along the way on their educational goals.
San Benito County LULAC Council was formed in 1987 with the late former Fire Chief Tony Aguirre leading the organization into new local frontiers with the main focus on education, followed by the formation of the Youth Council #705 in 1989 and the Young Adult Council in 2000. Currently the three councils have over 150 members and still growing. For the past 29 years, the adult council has granted over $160,000 dollars in scholarship to graduating seniors in San Benito County and proof of their success was the highlight of the 2015 State LULAC Convention in Monterey. LULAC Council can be credited with various positive changes for the betterment of youth, young adults and overall all residents of this community.
Anyone interested in attending LULAC meetings, they are held at the YMCA on the first Saturday of each month beginning at 10am. Local agency speakers are invited to speak to the membership at each meeting, if interested, contact Cesar Flores, President or Youth Advisor Linda Ogás (Media Contact).
Finally, the 2015 California State LULAC Delegation voted unanimously to hold the 2016 State Convention at Universal City, Hollywood, California, in May 2016. A presidential election year, 2016 will be pivotal for the continued empowerment of Latinos in California and throughout the U.S.
The local LULAC Council #2890 membership prepares to attend the 86th Annual National LULAC Convention in Salt Lake City during July 7th– 12th.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights, volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1100 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future.
