NORFOLK, Neb. – Latino high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from across the region will come together later this month to be motivated and learn more about higher education opportunities in Norfolk and South Sioux City.
Northeast Community College and the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) will host the 4th Latino Youth Summit on Friday, March 26, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Due to the pandemic, this year’s event has been moved to a virtual format. Approximately 1,500 students from 24 Nebraska and Iowa high schools have been invited to attend.
“Latino Leaders and college students from around the area will share their stories with the students and answer their questions,” said Yesenia Peck, diversity manager at NPPD and chair of the Nebraska Latino American Commission. “The summit is an opportunity for the students to hear from people with similar backgrounds who have overcome barriers and achieved their dreams.”
Speakers during the summit will include Juan Cangas, a nationally known youth motivational speaker, Miguel Angel Chavez, a small business owner in Omaha, and Maya Saenz, evening anchor at KMTV television in Omaha, who will serve as emcee for the event. Northeast President Leah Barrett will also speak with the students.
In addition, a panel discussion will take place with the students that will feature Christina Castro-Matukewicz, vice president of Community Development with Wells Fargo, Gaby Moreno, on-air personality with Radio Lobo 97.7 FM - Telemundo Nebraska, and Jesús Jimenez, of Great West Casualty Co., in South Sioux City. Another panel featuring Northeast students will also address the high school students.
In addition, $1,000 Northeast scholarships will be awarded to ten seniors who register for and attend the event and enroll at Northeast in the future.
Students from the following Nebraska high schools have been invited to attend - Archbishop Bergan Catholic School, Fremont; Columbus Senior High; Fremont Senior High; Grand Island Senior High; Heartland High School, Henderson; Lakeview Community Schools, Columbus; Madison High School; Norfolk Catholic High School; Norfolk Senior High; Northwest High School, Grand Island; O’Neill High School; Schuyler Central High School; Scotus Central Catholic High School, Columbus; South Sioux City High; St. Mary’s High School, O’Neill; Wakefield High School; and West Point-Beemer High School.
Iowa high schools include Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City; Denison High School; East High School, Sioux City; North High School, Sioux City; West High School, Sioux City; St. Mary’s Catholic School, Storm Lake; and Storm Lake High School.
For additional information on the Latino Youth Summit, contact Anthony Faust, director of Recruitment at Northeast Community College, at anthonyf@northeast.edu or call (402) 844-7717.
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PHOTO ID’s: Juan Cangas, Miguel Angel Chavez, and Maya Saenz.