“Hey David, need your help in identifying at least 10 Latino student-leaders to send to USHLI in Chicago next month…” What started as a small conversation between Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson (disclaimer: he and I serve on the OSU Board of Visitors) and I is now reality. We’re enroute to the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), Annual National Convention in Chicago. USHLI prides itself in developing, training, and educating America’s future Latino student-leaders in leadership, policy and career opportunities through its workshop seminars, keynote speakers, career and college fair. Over 2,000+ Latino student, community, governmental and business leaders from across the country are expected to converge at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers for a 4-day event this week.
The Oregonian students selected were nominated, and pre-screened by educators, counselors and their peers. After intensive deadlines, non-stop phone calls and fundraising, we’re fortunate to be sending 6 university students, 5 high school students, and 3 community college students to Chicago.
The delegation includes:
- Adriana Rosario Medina, Creswell High School
- Alejandra Gonzalez, Crescent Valley High School
- Blanca Estela Cabrera, Oregon State University
- Carlos Jeronimo, Mt. Hood Community College
- Fabian Garcia, Southern Oregon University
- Irene Guzman, Marist High School
- Isaac Camacho, Corvallis High School
- Itzel Mariel Magaña, Corvallis High School
- Monica Diaz, Western Oregon University
- Roberto Trinidad Guzman, Oregon State University
- Veronica Montoya Santana, Portland Community College at Rock Creek
- Victor Oscar Montemayor, Portland Community College at Cascade Campus
- Yaneira Yaneli Romero Torres, University of Portland
- Yesenia Belen Sanchez, University of Oregon
Special thanks to Kata Cervantes, Mario Magaña, Oscar Montemayor, Narce Rodriguez, Teresa Alonso, and Gerardo Ochoa for getting the ball rolling and their support in this delegation effort; to individuals, business owners and community leaders who have come through with financial backing. Indeed, building leaders, while a time and financially intensive process is the best investment we can make. Especially when it comes to Oregon’s largest and fastest-growing ethnic community, Latinos.
Greetings again from 39,000 feet courtesy of Southwest Airlines. See you on the ground!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
