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High school students from Bellermine College Preparatory preform as part of the band Marriachi Juvenil Batres Monday at the 2006 TRiO Student Leadership Confrence in the Student Union. TRiO is a set of three federally funded programs to encourage disadvantaged high school students to work toward a college career.

Events encourage youth

By: Erin Hull

Posted: 2/21/06

The 41st National TRiO Day celebration and conference began Monday in the Barret Ballroom of the San Jose State University Student Union.

Organized by the SJSU Office of Pre-College Programs and the National Hispanic University, the conference, which runs through today, aims to provide support and networking opportunities for high school students from around the state involved in Upward Bound programs.

The federal TRiO program began with the establishment of the Upward Bound program in 1964, and selects economically disadvantaged and first-generation students to mentor, encouraging them to pursue college educations.

National TRiO Day, enacted by Congress in 1986, serves as a day of recognition for the accomplishments of the program.

Events at SJSU Monday ranged from speeches from politicians to musical and dance performances. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D- San Jose, was scheduled to deliver the keynote address, but cancelled because of illness.

Youth-band mariachi Juvenil Batres was greeted with applause as young women belted out traditional Mexican ballads, backed by trumpets, guitars and violins.

The advice from politicians, however, was sobering and memorable, said East Palo Alto High School sophomore Erica Jack.

"It's very inspiring," Jack said. "(The advice) is pushing me to do everything I need to do to get into college."

Joe Coto, California Assemblyman for the 23rd District began his speech with memories from his childhood. As the son of a copper miner in Arizona with a fifth-grade education, Coto said, he had to create his own opportunity.

When he told his father that a high school counselor told him that he would be good working with his hands, Coto said he found himself in a "tragic situation" of being educationally limited rather than encouraged.

"My message is going to be very simple," Coto said. "… It's not enough that you get (to college,) what matters is that you graduate from there."

Coto then led the student audience in a chant, repeating, "I'm going to graduate."

Maria Zambrano, a sophomore from Sanger High School, said she was encouraged by Coto's story.

"(Coto's) parents encouraged him … to accomplish his goals," Zambrano said. "Now he has a career he's enjoying and not just a job."

San Jose City Councilwoman Nora Campos was also a guest speaker.

"It's great to see so much spirit in one room," Campos said.

Campos also related her personal struggle for success.

"For me to be here today is a real honor," Campos said.

As the child of parents who walked with Cesar Chavez in the farmworkers' movement, Campos said she strives to address inequality in the same way her parents did.

"As an elected official I have the opportunity to address (San Jose's) inequity," said Campos to a roar of applause.

Campos told the young audience to pursue their goals.

"Today is about all of you dreaming and dreaming about where you want to be in life," she said.

The stated goal of the conference was to encourage the students in attendance to become leaders in their schools. According to Sequoia High School junior Elizabeth Velazquez, they accomplished that task.

"I'm starting an organization to encourage younger students, and I'm going to use what (Coto) had to say to help me improve my leadership skills," Velazquez said.