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LULAC Congratulates Participants from 2010 LULAC/UNM Leadership Program

August 10, 2010

36 students from across the U.S. research availability of green jobs for Latinos

Washington, D.C. - The League of United Latin American Citizens, the largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country, in conjunction with the University of New Mexico, proudly announces the completion of its 4th Annual UNM/LULAC National Leadership Program, funded by the United States Department of Energy. This year, 36 high school students from across the United States successfully participated in the two-week program.

The students participated in training from July 18 to July 30, 2010 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The UNM/LULAC National Leadership Program, which began in 2007, aims to develop young Latino student leaders and prepare them for college.

This year’s program theme, “In the changing economy, what 'green jobs' are available for the Latina/o community?,” brought to light critical issues affecting the U.S., encouraging the students to derive creative solutions for today’s ailing economy and energy crisis. Students had the opportunity to learn leadership skills by educating themselves on economic and energy issues that impact the entire community. The program provided leadership training, tutorials, career guidance, and college counseling, as well as cultural and social enrichment activities.

"We congratulate the thirty-six graduates from across the country who recently completed the UNM/LULAC National Leadersip Program at the University of New Mexico and strongly encourage these leaders to consider entering the fields of mathematics, science and technology in keeping with the U.S. Department of Energy's mission," said LULAC National President, Margaret Moran.

The program culminated in professional research presentations, highlighting the students’ work comparable to that of graduate students. Immediately following was the UNM/LULAC Leadership Program Closing Banquet, where the students celebrated their great achievements over the past two weeks. Armando Davalos of Albuquerque was the Master of Ceremonies. Student speakers included Marco Rodriguez of Downers Grove, FL and Xadiera De La Rosa of San Antonio, TX.

LULAC thanks all participating local LULAC councils and parents for sponsoring the students’ attendance at this year's program.

Our 2010 graduates are as follows:

Martha Diana Baltazar - Tajique, NM
Asael Carrizales - Cincinnati, OH
Carlitta Cayaditto - Farmington, NM
Ashi Colina - Maywood, IL
Hoshi Colina - Maywood, IL
Sheila Contreras - Albquerque, NM
Andres Davalos - Albuquerque, NM
Armando Davalos - Albuquerque, NM
Xadiera De La Rosa - San Antonio, TX
Pablo Diaz - Milwaukee, WI
Karen Fierro - Los Lunas, NM
Fernando Garcia - Clovis, NM
Jorge Garcia - Albuquerque, NM
Cynthia Godinez - Romeoville, IL
Jaime Gonzalez - Milwaukee, WI
Santina Gonzalez - Albuquerque, NM
Daphne Gutierrez - Milwaukee, WI
Jacob J. Lopez - Chicago, IL
Jacob R. Lopez - Albuquerque, NM
Danielle Martinez - San Antonio, TX
Shay Meade - Albuquerque, NM
Amanda Nieto - San Rafael, NM
Jacqueline Ochoa - Albuquerque, NM
Evelyn Olmos - Albuquerque, NM
Marina Pavon - Frank Fort, IL
Miguel Pavon - Frank Fort, IL
Lorena Perez - Albuquerque, NM
Monica Perez - Fort Worth, TX
Marco Rodriguez - Downers Grove, FL
Alanzo Roldan - Albuquerque, NM
Gisel Romero - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Tiffany Ruiz - Milwaukee, WI
Emilio Sanchez - Davenport, IA
Kimberlyn Shaggy - Bloomfield, NM
Luis E. Vera-Adrianzen - Albuquerque, NM
Charlotte Williams - Bloomfield, NM

In its first year, 26 high school Latino high school sophomores and juniors from across the country with scholastic potential participated in the week-long training at UNM. Over the past two years, LULAC and UNM have partnered to increase the number of young participants, and next year, hope to accommodate even more Latino student leaders.

For more information about the LULAC/UNM Program, please contact Amanda Keammerer at AKeammerer@LULAC.org or by phone at 202-833-6130.

For more information about LULAC National's Youth and Young Adult Outreach initiatives, please contact Tanya Kalya Loya at TLoya@LULAC.org or by phone at 202-833-6130.

The League of United Latin American Citizens is the oldest and largest Hispanic membership organization in the country. LULAC advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 830 LULAC councils nationwide.

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