Latino youth examine their futures

Photo by john larson

EXPLORING OPTIONS. Foss High School students Judith Viesca, left, and Cynthia Ramos learn about career opportunities at a booth in the convention center.

Young Latinos heard inspiring messages and examined career and education possibilities during the fifth annual Latino Youth Summit, held Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.

It was organized by Tacoma-based Northwest Leadership Foundation and Proyecto MoLÉ, its after-school program for Latino youth based at McIlvaigh Middle School. The first day was geared toward youth, with speakers and workshops on topics including education, immigration and financial planning. The second day was focused on family participation, with parents invited to participate.

Roberto Lopez from the College Success Program at Mount Tahoma High School was one of 14 people on the planning committee for the event. He told the youth in attendance that Latinos are the fastest growing group in the United States and one day will be the majority. As such, Latinos need to prepare themselves for leadership positions in society and acquire the education to become the doctors, lawyers and teachers of the future.

“Without education we cannot take advantage of the opportunities this country affords,” Lopez remarked.

Art Jarvis, superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools, likewise encouraged the young people to strive for success. “You can do anything you want to do. The support is there,” he said. “The opportunities are there wherever you look. There are no boundaries except the ones you put on yourself.”

Pedro Rodriguez, father of Proyecto MoLÉ Director Melody Rodriguez, discussed going to college when his daughter was young. He struggled with algebra and his daughter helped him with his homework. “So it is important you get your parents involved,” he told the young people in the audience.

Eva Santos, director of Washington State Department of Personnel, mentioned the dynamic energy she observed from Melody Rodriguez. “I like to learn from young people. That is how I keep up my energy,” Santos remarked.

She is one of two Latinas in a cabinet position in the state government, which Santos pointed to as proof that opportunities are available for those who are prepared.

The Latino population is growing considerably in Washington, she noted. It increased from 118,000 in 1980 to 580,000 in 2007, and is projected to be 625,000 by 2020.

Santos noted obstacles facing the Latino population, such as lower test scores and less access to health care. She discussed her educational and career background. She earned a degree in nursing in Puerto Rico, where she grew up.

She joined the U.S. Army, eventually being stationed at Fort Lewis. After being discharged, she worked at a ship building company in Tacoma, then applied for a job with the state Department of Labor and Industries, which is where she launched her career in state government 20 years ago.

“Education opens a lot of doors and opportunities for you,” she said. Santos encouraged the youth to learn from mentors. “Know your limits, but do not let your limits keep you from reaching your goals.”

Melody Rodriguez told the youth when they are in their 40s, Latinos will be the majority group. With that comes the responsibility of being prepared for careers and leadership. “You need to be represented in all aspects of society,” she said. “We do not want to see you in jail. You need to be aware of your actions and how they affect the community.”

Joseph Raymond Lucero, who goes by Joey Ray, gave a compelling account of growing up as a gang member in San Diego.

He was locked up in youth detention centers for much of his teenage years.

After being paroled from prison in 2003 he was hired by Homeboy Industries, a Los Angeles organization that helps former gang members turn their lives around.

He discussed the dysfunction in his home environment, and noted youth may seek acceptance and belonging in the wrong places when growing up in similar circumstances. “If there is something missing in your life you are going to definitely walk out the door and look for it somewhere else.”

Adults and youth at the event found it informative and inspiring.

Kelsey Dawson, a graduate of Foss High School and Pacific Lutheran University, works for the College Success Foundation at Mount Tahoma and Clover Park high schools. She brought a group of students to the summit.

“They are learning there is a support system around them,” Dawson said.

Cynthia Ramos, Judith Viesca and Vanessa Salazar, all juniors at Foss High School, learned about the event through the career center at their school.

Viesca said she learned about college opportunities from walking through the center, where many universities had information booths.

“It motivates us,” Salazar said. “Things like this make us feel we are a part of the community.”

Salazar said none of the adults in her family made it past middle school. She feels an obligation to graduate from high school and go on to college to be a good example for her nieces and nephews. “I want to prove I can do it.”

“Higher education is for everybody,” said Kristi Gray, who works in the Outreach and Recruitment Office at Tacoma Community College. Many of the youth who came by her booth were unfamiliar with Running Start, a program that allows high school students to earn college credit by taking courses at junior colleges.

Juliete Palenshus, a tutor in the Latino Education Assistance Development program with Centro Latino, was moved by Ray’s keynote address. Many youth view gangs as glamorous. She was dismayed to hear her 10-year-old nephew wanted to dress as a gang member for Halloween.

“It is very real for them in their neighborhoods, much more than it was for me growing up,” she said.

A graduate of Central Washington University, Palenshus was happy to see her alma mater had a booth.

“We need to plant that seed in their heads that college is a possibility.”

The event was made possible through the sponsorship of MultiCare Health System and Comprehensive Health Education Foundation.

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