Spring Break
Events encourage youth
Erin Hull
Issue date: 2/21/06 Section: News
"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.
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.
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