Document text
CLEAR Temp: 91 °F Wind: WNW at 9 mph Wednesday, July 9, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 26, 2003 Maria Underwood of La Clinica del Valle talks to Latino students about setting goals during a seminar on higher education at Vibes Friday. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven ‘There’s a lot of potential here’ Day-long forum gives Hispanic students a guided tour of college opportunities By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Eagle Point High School student JR Malgarejo wants to be the first member of his family to attend college. So when Rogue Community College hosted a Hispanic education conference last year, the junior was happy to attend. "They started talking about how important grades are. When I first came here, I was like, ‘Whoa, I’ve got a problem,’" said Malgarejo, who hopes to earn a degree to become a teacher and coach basketball. "It was like a wake-up call. It helped me a lot. I had to take it seriously." Malgarejo was just one of 125 Hispanic teens who attended the second annual Un Mundo de Oportunidades (A World of Opportunities) on Friday at Vibes in Medford. Advertisement Throughout the day, students from area high schools took tours of RCC’s Medford campus, listened to speeches from Hispanic college students and community leaders and learned about scholarships, financial aid and the college application process. The event was hosted by Club Latino, an RCC organization that plans community events. Members on Friday served as translators for high school students who spoke only Spanish. "It’s so sad to see so many students drop out in high school," said club President Rosalina Peterson, who helped establish the event. "We want the youth to continue their education." When Peterson moved to Medford in the late 1980s, she didn’t speak a word of English and her educational background included a scant 11 months at high school. But Peterson — recently named 2003 Outstanding Student Scholar by the Oregon Community College Association — said she wanted to give college a try. It took four years at RCC, but Peterson will soon graduate from RCC’s nursing program. "Before I came to college, I didn’t know where to begin," said Peterson. "College is not an impossible dream. We want them to do this because they are our future." Medford police officer Bernabe Maya was a featured speaker on Friday. "They are really young and there’s a lot of potential here," said Maya, a 1995 graduate of North Medford High School who earned a business degree from Southern Oregon University. "It gives me an opportunity to talk to these guys about my experience and the mistakes I made." RCC academic adviser Jose Chavez said many students had questions about financial aid, scholarships and the application process. "I was a student, just like they are," said Chavez, who said the event is meant to motivate teens. "I would like to see every student who’s present today in college." Many students attending Friday’s event agreed. "College is important, you make more money — everyone’s heard that talk," said Mario Garcia, a South Medford High School sophomore. "But the people here have experienced it. That makes a big difference." Garcia isn’t sure what his future holds, but added that attending RCC for one or two years will help him decide. "My parents want me to go. My dad never got the chance, and neither did my mom," said Garcia. "There’s a world of opportunities out there." Other students, like North Medford High School senior Zugey Ariza, already have their futures mapped out. Zugey said she will attend a few terms at RCC before transferring to an art school in Los Angeles. "I’m interested in graphic design," said Zugey. "Today is cool. They’re talking about scholarships, and that’s what I wanted to hear about." Crater High School senior Adolfo Lopez also was pleased with the event. "When I go to college, I want to have something to start with," said Lopez, who hopes to own his own business someday. "I found out today that if I get a job and work over there (at RCC), I can get college credits. That’s really good." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times