San Benito High School students got a visit from Assemblyman
Sim
ón Salinas (D-Salinas) on Friday who urged the youngsters to
apply to college and access financial aid to help them get there.
The politician, who represents District 28 which includes San
Benito County, also passed out a colorful poster that he hopes will
act as a guide for students aiming to get
into college.
Hollister – San Benito High School students got a visit from Assemblyman Simón Salinas (D-Salinas) on Friday who urged the youngsters to apply to college and access financial aid to help them get there. The politician, who represents District 28 which includes San Benito County, also passed out a colorful poster that he hopes will act as a guide for students aiming to get into college.
The poster spells out the minimum requirements needed to get into the California State University system, starting from middle school through the end of high school.
“To prepare for college, you have to take your education seriously from the day you begin kindergarten,” he told the students.
Salinas, one of 12 children of farm workers who spoke no English, recalled his own experience and urged kids to persevere in their education. He recalled that despite the initial challenge of college, he stayed the course, which helped him rise to his position today.
“The first year was really hard for me,” he said, during the assembly that drew close to 100 students. “And I called my mom on the phone and I told her I wanted to come home.” Although Salinas’ mother told her son her door was always open to him, she encouraged him to keep going. He not only graduated, but went on to get a law degree and rise through the ranks of local government.
“It got me excited for college to hear him talk about it,” said Jeannette Robles, 17 and a senior at San Benito High School. “It made it more real to me.” Robles has already been accepted to Cal State Fresno and Chico, but is still awaiting word on other schools in the system.
Prior to speaking to students, the assemblyman got a campus tour, visiting San Benito High School’s new labs and speaking with students and teachers.
With 23 campuses and about 400,000 students, the California State University is the largest system of higher education in the country.
Karina Ioffee covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at (831)637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected]
