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The 2009 Latino Youth Summit is scheduled for May 12. |
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** Volunteers Needed!
There will be over 800 Latino Youth on our campus to participate in a day filled with educational and interactive workshops. Volunteers are needed to assist us throughout the program. This is an excellent way to satisfy community service hours that you may need for your organization. It is also an excellent way to enjoy a culturally diverse experience. Please email volunteer coordinator Amada Esquivel at esqame@aol.com or call her at 419-215-3580 to sign up to assist.
** Call for UT Faculty & Staff to assist with lunch!
We are in need of UT Staff and Faculty to assist us with the lunch portion of the program. If you aren't able to commit to the day long event, please check your availability to assist from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. This is the lunch portion of the program. Please email volunteer coordinator Amada Esquivel at esqame@aol.com or call her at 419-215-3580 to sign up to assist. THANK YOU!
Deadline for Registration: April 24, 2009
Please check with your school principal for registration forms or you may print them from here. Please note: you must obtain permission and travel with your school.
Deadline for LYS Scholarship Application: May 1, 2009
Please note - participation and attendance at LYS is required as part of the award criteria. You may print the application here.
About the 2009 UT Latino Youth Summit
According to the 2000 U.S. Census report, Latinos are the fastest growing population in the United States and now the largest ethnic group in the country. A more recent update states that one in every eight U.S. citizen is Latino. Sadly, the statistics also illustrate that Hispanic youth are less likely to complete their high school education, less likely to enter college and less likely to complete their degrees.
To address this issue on a community wide level, former University of Toledo president, Dan Johnson, directed the Latino Advisory Committee in 2003 to coordinate and implement a Latino Youth Summit (LYS). The purpose of the program is to help increase the Latino high school graduation rate and college attendance by engaging parents and students in early preparation activities and information sessions. Working with area schools, as well as, nearby Bowling Green State University, businesses, social service agencies and Latino-based organizations, The University of Toledo implemented the first Latino Youth Summit in April 2003. Because of its success, the seventh Latino Youth Summit is scheduled to take place May 12, 2009 at UT.
The following objectives of the Summit will help to achieve the goal of increasing the Latino high school graduation rate and college attendance.
About Last Year's (2008) Latino Youth Summit
Thanks to its many sponsors, last year’s event was a huge success. More than 800 Latino junior high and high school youths participated in the all day conference, which focused on encouraging graduation from high school and looking at college and other career opportunities upon graduation.
This continues to be one of the largest gatherings of Latino students in the region. Many of the students walked away with a feeling of pride in their heritage and with new ideas and information for a better future. Last year’s event armed youth and families with college planning information. Included were information sessions about pre-high school and pre-college coursework and career related information about occupational fields requiring skills in science, math and technology with ways to pursue a career path. Interactive sessions immersed junior high participants in science and chemistry as they made a fragrant body lotion they could take home. Information and discussion groups for tenth to twelfth grade students ranged from appropriate courses to take to financial assistance for college, as well as, alternate post-secondary options such as the military. Also, presented was information about preparation for the building trades and required steps toward a chosen career path.
An important aspect of the Summit was the opportunity for Latino students to meet representatives from colleges that comprise the ECHHO association, Educators in College Helping Hispanics Onward. This college fair allowed students to obtain information pertaining to college admission and scholarship opportunities. The Summit provided ECHHO with an opportunity to interact with the largest gathering of Latino youth from northwest Ohio.
Overnight Experience
As part of the Latino Youth Summit Experience, an overnight component has been established. For the third year, sixty Latino students from the 8th through 12th grade spent a day and night on The University of Toledo campus. They took part in a number of educational sessions, classes and fun activities with the purpose of preparing them for a university career. Students enjoyed the overnight and are looking to return next year.
College Scholarships
As children register for the Summit, we targeted seniors to apply for a college scholarship at The University of Toledo. 12 scholarships were awarded in 2008. One of the scholarships valued at $1,000 was awarded by the Latino Student Union. A second scholarship valued at $1,000 was awarded by General Motors. Finally, The University of Toledo awarded 10 one year housing scholarships to students attending the Summit who had a 3.00 GPA. Those students were also awarded a $2,000 renewable scholarship.
2009 Latino Youth Summit
The results of the Latino Youth Summit concluded that preparation for college success needs to begin early and must be sustained throughout the school years. It is now time to take the next step. To address the Latino achievement gap in northwest Ohio, and the reality of a growing Latino population, The University of Toledo is already planning the 2009 Latino Youth Summit for May 12, 2009.