NORFOLK, Neb. – Latino high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from across the region joined with one another recently in Norfolk to be motivated about lessons in life and to learn more about higher education opportunities.
Northeast Community College hosted its annual Latino Youth Summit that featured several Latino leaders and college students who shared stories on how they broke through barriers and achieved success and also answered questions from the high school students.
Maria Gonzalez, a Northeast representative at the College’s South Sioux City extended campus, called the day a success. She said Northeast has been conducting targeted recruiting in the Latino community and the summit demonstrated the effectiveness of connecting the students with counselors and leaders in the Latino community.
“The day had great speakers, both first-generation students, who spoke about how breaking barriers were possible and how they achieved this,” Gonzalez said. “We want all Latino students and students in underrepresented areas to understand how college works and that achieving that dream is possible for them. Having a panel of Latino students and professionals made the students realize that if those people can make it, then there is hope for them as well.”
Gonzalez said the day included a mix of information in English and Spanish as several ELL (English language learners) students attended the event.
Summit speakers included Miguelangel Chavez, a South Omaha native who embraces his hometown as the field to plant and harvest his ventures and dreams. A first-generation college graduate and a recipient of the Susan Thompson Buffet Scholarship from the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising, he founded the T-shirt company, MioTees, and a deejay business, DeafAudio DJs, with his brother, JuanCarlos Chavez.
In addition, Blanca Ramirez-Salazar, who recently completed service as a Partnership Specialist and Partnership Coordinator for the U.S. Census Bureau 12-state Denver Region, spoke to the students. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social work from UNO and a masters in Community & Regional Planning from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her passion is working on research and community efforts where she can use her bilingual (Spanish-English) skills.
Approximately 150 students from high schools in Columbus, Madison High School, Norfolk High School, O’Neill, Schuyler, and Wakefield attend the Latino Youth Summit. In addition, $1,000 tuition scholarships to Northeast were awarded to ten seniors from Columbus, Norfolk, Schuyler, and Wakefield high schools. The students were selected through a random drawing of attendees.
Furthermore, the students were served lunch from the El Barrigas Mexican Grill truck of Norfolk and had the opportunity tour Northeast’s Norfolk campus.
Northeast Community College will host another Latino Youth Summit at its South Sioux City extended campus on Fri., March 25, 2022.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Maria Gonzalez, a Northeast representative at the College’s South Sioux City extended campus (right) listens as Northeast Community College students address area high school students during the College’s annual Latino Youth Summit on the Norfolk campus recently. The Northeast students were among those who shared stories on how they broke through barriers and achieved success and answered questions from the high school students. Approximately 150 students from high schools in Columbus, Madison High School, Norfolk High School, O’Neill, Schuyler, and Wakefield attend the Latino Youth Summit.