Middle and high school students from across the central San Joaquin Valley are traveling to California State University, Fresno on Saturday, April 17, to celebrate the importance of TRIO programs in their schools.
TRIO is a federal program that offers assistance and support services to first-generation students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO also assists low-income and first-generation students and students with disabilities successfully make their way through middle and high school to enter a college.
The celebration at Fresno State begins at 9 a.m. in the Satellite Student Union with speakers and a canned-food drive to benefit people affected by the drought in the western Fresno County farm centers of Firebaugh and Mendota.
Speakers include:
- Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia
- Jose Antonio Ramirez, the Firebaugh city manager of Firebaugh
- Kimberly Cruz, a professor of English at Fresno State
Students will have the opportunity to speak with Nunes about the importance of keeping TRIO programs alive in the Valley.
Because of threats posed by federal budget cutting, TRIO advocates hope to marshal support for the program. Nunez will be presented 400 student letters asking to continue funding the program to benefit the Valley.
The event will award $4,500 in scholarships to high school students preparing to enter college and those already enrolled in post-baccalaureate programs.
For more information, contact Bernardo Reynoso at 559.278.5347 or breynoso@csufresno.edu.
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