May 13, 2008

The second annual Fresno Hispanic Youth Symposium will bring 125 high school students to California State University, Fresno Aug. 3-5 for workshops and activities highlighting the value of education, career choices, community service, personal responsibility and Latino role models.

The Fresno symposium, one of four in the nation, allows participating students from Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties to live in campus residence halls, eat in dining halls and experience the college lifestyle.

With the theme “Roots and Wings,” the symposium educates students about their Hispanic heritage (roots) and teaches them how to strive for their goals (wings), said Frances Pena, director of University Outreach Services, one of the Fresno State co-sponsors.

Students will be matched up with a positive mentor (resident assistants) who will be with them throughout the conference; providing a comfortable and safe learning environment.

The Hispanic College Fund, a private nonprofit organization founded in 1993, sponsors the Fresno event, as well as the other symposia in Washington D.C., Maryland and San Francisco. The fund has supported the education of more than 3,000 financially disadvantaged Hispanic students seeking careers in business, science, engineering and technology with more than $6 million in grants.

Workshops include:

• Hispanic Heroes: Students connect with leaders in the community and find mentors.

• Realizing the College Dream: An examination of reasons to go to college and the process for getting there.

• Issues to Action – Students form teams, choose topics that affect the Hispanic community and develop an action plan. Youth Venture is the Fresno HYS Action partner.

• Foundations for Personal Success: Self-esteem and leadership development.

• Making it Happen: Career workshops sponsored by national organizations in science, technology, engineering, math and business-related fields.

• Team Building: Partnership with the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

For more information contact Fresno HYS chair James Oftedal at fresnochair@hispanicyouth.org or call 559.278.2848.