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The third annual Central
Valley Hispanic Youth Symposium at California State University, Fresno
provided Hispanic high school students from throughout the central San
Joaquin Valley with college and career information.
Of the 115 students who attended the third gathering at Fresno State, 75
percent were from families where parents did not have a college degree
and 65 percent boasted GPAs of 3.0 or higher. They learned how to apply
for college and about career opportunities upon graduation in business,
science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The program, one of seven run nationally this summer, conducted sessions
on financing college, how to write a college essay, the strategic
application process and understanding the SAT. The Fresno State session
was from July 24 to 27.
Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, was a featured speaker, offering motivational
words to the students as did Rogelio Gomez, the highest-ranking Latino
in the Social Security Administration. More than 40 local business
leaders shared their stories of success in small-group sessions, and
several universities and colleges exhibited at a college and career
fair.
Career workshops were presented by the U.S. Department of Energy, Kaiser
Permanente, PG&E, the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Forest
Service. Students also vied for $14,000 in scholarships through art,
speech, essay and talent competitions.
Student George J. Aguayo of Tulare said at the symposium’s conclusion,
"The most important thing I learned was to let my light shine. I finally
understood how to let myself be the leader I always knew I had the
potential to be."
The Central California Consortium was the lead partner for the
symposium.
Other sponsors were the Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, the National
Nuclear Security Administration, Union Bank of California, Allright
Diversified Services, Ruiz Foods, Google and the Latino Rotary Club of
Fresno. Fresno State’s College of Engineering, Department of Outreach
Services and Educational Talent Search also were sponsors.
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