District 214 Among Area Schools to Participate in 11th Annual Latino Summit

     Thirteen northwest suburban schools, including all six District 214 high schools, will participate in the 11th annual Latino Summit, to be held at Harper College on Friday, Nov. 16, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.  More than 400 Latino high school freshmen and sophomores will participate in the 11th anniversary event, which will include students from Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, John Hersey, Prospect, Rolling Meadows, and Wheeling High Schools; Maine East and Maine West High Schools; Glenbrook South High School; Barrington High School; and Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Palatine High Schools.

     The keynote speaker will be Enrique Rodríguez, a news anchor / reporter / producer / sports anchor / forum moderator at Univision Network. Rodríguez received degrees in Communications, and Mexican American Studies from California State University Northridge.  As Univision's anchor and reporter, his priority is to invest his time participating in as many community events as possible, to hopefully make a difference in people's lives.  Since he joined Univision in July 2004, Rodríguez has received two prestigious Emmy Awards by the Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has been nominated on seven occasions.  Rodríguez has interviewed political figures such as Mexican President Felipe Calderon, former First Lady Hillary Clinton, and President Barack Obama.

     Transportation and lunch will be provided at no cost to participants. Students will hear presentations by Latino professionals, college and trade school representatives, and university and trade school students. Speakers will discuss the obstacles they have overcome in order to achieve success. The inspirational and informative program will help participants begin making plans for life after high school, which is key to realizing their goals. Students will also have a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, make contacts, and meet peers with similar aspirations for the future. Presentations will be made in English and Spanish.

     Latino Summit is a self-supported endeavor and each year must find funds to finance the event and the scholarships provided to deserving seniors. For more information or to offer financial support, whether individual or corporate, please contact Claudia Rueda-Alvarez, at <Cruedaalvarez@maine207.org>.