Latino Education Access and Development conference draws 800 to University of La Verne
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.
“I didn’t know if I’d have an opportunity to go to college. I didn’t know if I’d be able to afford it,” she said.
Not only did she go to college, thanks to scholarships and three jobs, but today, she’s the news director for Siouxland News in Sioux City, Iowa.
The 2009 University of La Verne 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. 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.
“As a Latino, you have to tell yourself, ‘I deserve better,’” 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.
“The one thing you have to do is have faith in yourself and not listen to these people who put you down,” 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 University of La Verne.
“She’ll be the first person in our family to go to college, so I want her to take this initiative and go,” 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.
“They’re encouraging us to be more open minded,” 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’s degree programs, said University of La Verne Vice President of Advancement Myra Garcia. And the Latino population is expected to double by 2050, she added.
“There are so many support systems, people and organizations who are ready and willing to help you out and that’s why we’re here today,” Garcia said to students.
Panelists included Mike Gomez, a cast member on such films as “The Big Lebowski” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and Enrique Castillo, who acted on Showtime’s “Weeds” and CBS’s “NCIS: Major Crimes.”
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 .
“Finding that path, particularly for first-generation students, can be difficult,” he said.
