Santa Maria Joint Union High School District’s Latinos Unidos Clubs will stress the theme Our Roots, Our Power at the 11th annual Latinos Unidos Conference Saturday, March 9 at Righetti High School.
Students from Righetti, Pioneer Valley and Santa Maria high schools will use the day to sharpen their public speaking skills; create camaraderie across sites; cultivate a sense of purpose and belonging; and develop their voices to have courageous conversations centered on the experiences they’re currently facing at school and home.
The clubs encourage and welcome all students to attend the event, not just those who identify as Latinx/Hispanic. Breakfast, lunch, a t-shirt, and a variety of goodie bags will be provided to all students.
Keynote speakers will be Susana Espinoza and Carlos Gonzalez, two RHS alumni and current UC Berkeley students. Entertainment will be provided by PVHS Ballet Folklórico and Aliados de la 4, a Latino music group from SMHS.
“The conference represents a symbol of unity and representation amongst our Chicano and Latino community, and to me, it is a great opportunity to express the importance of our roots and culture,” said Quetzalli Alvarez, a junior at RHS, and Latinos Unidos Club president.
“Students should attend the Latinos Unidos conference to engage with fellow classmates who come from similar ethnic backgrounds and make connections with those who share equal values as well,” Alvarez said. “When we have these conferences, it opens the doors for students to learn more about themselves and their history.
“Our main goal is to allow students from diverse ethnic backgrounds to feel represented and valued.”
“The Latinos Unidos Conference means a chance to make a difference in my own community,” said Isaelia Cristobal, a senior at SMHS. “It’s a place where I can freely express myself and discover parts of my identity and culture, I wasn’t aware of.
“I believe students should attend this conference to empower themselves & discover something special.”
“Being part of Latinos Unidos has allowed me to understand our community a little better and has taught me how to work with others who feel the same way I do,” said Nayeli Limon, a junior at PVHS.
Club advisors say they are proud of the students for stepping out of their comfort zone to organize, build and run a conference that tackles relevant issues in the community.
“Serving as the Latinos Unidos advisor continues to be one of the best parts of being an educator,” said Patricia Villalobos, Latinos Unidos advisor and conference coordinator.
Through this conference, I am holding space for students to come together from across the district, have meaningful discussions and learn that their stories and experiences are valuable,” she said. “They explore their talents and realize that each one has something important to contribute to such an impactful event.
“The conference reflects a true collaboration amongst students, educators, community members and administrators who believe in the power of agency.”