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Latino boys from across North County gathered at Palomar College on Oct. 6
for an educational endeavor.
Encuentros held its fourth annual conference, "Your Future Begins Now," with
more than 600 boys in attendance.
"It was a success," said Encuentros board member Lisa Montes. "People came
together to make a difference in the lives of Latino boys."
The Encuentros leadership of North San Diego County is a non profit
organization whose primary focus is to encourage education and self respect
among Latino boys since its foundation in 2003.
North county boys ranging in age from middle school to high school were
invited to attend the Encuentros conference in an effort to encourage them to
finish high school and explore career options, Montes said.
Tables were set up to provide students with information on the resources
available ranging from financial aid to tutoring.
Montes said the boys really enjoyed the psychology workshop where they were
able to feel a displayed real brain.
Another student's favorite was NBC 7/39's Artie Ojeda and Univision's Ricardo
Vela's workshops, Montes said. She also said the boys had a chance to work
inside Palomar's newsroom.
Montes said she was impressed with the interaction the boys had with the
speakers. This was the exact intention of the event, to expand their concepts
of career options, she said.
Ricardo Paz a Vista high school senior said that the "Journey to becoming a
lawyer" workshop motivated and reassured him about his interest in a law
degree.
"I want to take on the world right now." Paz said. "I'd rather do this than
anything else on a Saturday."
Montez also emphasized the local concern about 70 percent of boys in the Vista
Unified School District don't earn a high school diploma.
"These kids need to know someone cares," Carlos Von Son, foreign languages
professor said. "That there are people willing to help them all the way."
Von Son gave the welcoming speech. He spoke about the struggles he endured
while trying to obtain an education in Mexico compared to the amalgam of
opportunities Latino boys have available to them today.
"Look at you, you're all beautiful," he told the students. He referred to
the boys as seeds that will blossom with education and lead the way for more
Latino men to succeed.
"I was moved to tears," Associated Student Government President Michelle
Eichelberger said, about Von Son's speech. "There was such a sincerity…you
can feel his heart."
Former Palomar student Amilcar Chavez said that he admires Von Son's ability
to go out of his way to help students. He said Von Son is the reason he
decided to become an educator.
"Von Son is an inspiration to many, he will help anyone who seeks it," Chavez
said. "I want to do for kids what he did for me."
It is essential for boys to explore career options early on so that they have
a plan by the time they get out of high school, Chavez said.
"It's great for them to see what they can do in the future." said Monica
Salazar from Univision's promotions department.
Montes said the event cost over $25,000. Univision, NBC 7/39 San Diego,
Palomar College and other local businesses made it possible.