The conference concluded with all 68 delegates and their parents praying. Photo credit: Jessie Gomez
With more than 40 volunteers, the Latin American Student Association took on the task of hosting and arranging commodities for their biggest event yet: the annual Latinas Serving Latinas conference, which is specially geared toward encouraging and educating local high school girls of Hispanic background about college.
The three-day event started Thursday and included workshops, chapel, classroom visits and dorm stays. The event concluded Saturday.
“I didn’t expect for it be so hands-on,” said Dulce Rincon, a Montclair High School student and third-time delegate. “I thought it would be like a regular campus tour, but instead you go to classrooms, you visit people and you’re really there.”
During the conference, all 68 delegates were challenged through workshops as well as through meaningful conversations on what it means to be a Latina today. They learned more about the power and importance of education and the steps to pursue a higher education. Throughout the course of the conference, delegates interacted with other Latina women, professors, college students and community members who share similar stories.
“Our staff could not prepare enough for this conference. Their hard work has begun since before the beginning of this semester with ideas and continuous collaboration,” said Diandra Suarez, a junior psychology major and head chair of the conference. “I personally have been thinking about this conference throughout summer, thinking of what has worked and what has not. “
According to Suarez, the purpose of the LSL Conference is to empower and educate Latinas throughout the course of the three days. This is made possible through the activities, dialogues and workshops that make them aware of their power to change the world and reach for their dreams regardless of any obstacles.
Aside from the delegates, the parents of the participants received a special seminar to help them develop plans to get their child to college.
“Before attending the seminar, I thought it was just going to be an informational meeting,” said Maria Sanchez, mother of one of the delegates. “However, I was more than informed. I was motivated and my nerves about paying for college were calmed.”
According to LSL staff, it was a challenge to try to get to know all the delegates personally. However, each participant was placed in a “small group” in which they bonded with their leader and other girls in their group.
“Since our event was so large this year, we provided a total of seven meals,” said Stephanie Avena, a junior social work major and small group leader. “It was stressful trying to figure out how we were going to provide meals for all of our delegates and staff.”
However, the LSL staff reached out to local businesses, churches and family members in order to accommodate every participant.
“I thought this event was just going to promote APU. But they actually focused on motivating us to grow,” said Priscilla Sanchez, an Alto Loma High School student and first-time delegate. “I feel so motivated to fill out scholarships applications and not put myself down.”
Suarez said her group’s greatest hope is the delegates will take inspiration from these three days at LSL and bring it to their communities, friends and families.