by Ellen Cole
Daily Lobo
High school students traveled from across the state Tuesday to take part in UNM's Hispano Student Day, an event sponsored by Recruitment Services and El Centro de la Raza.
Hispanic high school students came to campus to participate in workshops, learn about the college application process and listen to speeches from current UNM staff and students. The theme of this year's event was: "Andale - Take The Next Step."
About 1,200 students were in attendance at this year's festivities, making it a record breaking year for Hispano Student Day, currently in its fifth year at UNM, said Rosa Cervantes, program specialist with El Centro de la Raza.
"It's important to show off UNM to the New Mexico community," Cervantes said.
In a state like New Mexico with a large Hispanic population, she said outreach is important because many Hispanic high school students never thought of college as an option for them.
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Workshops for high school juniors included a collage-making exercise intended to teach participants about themselves and how college could benefit them. Students also played Pictionary in order to make learning about the trials and tribulations of college fun.
High school seniors participated in the same workshops, and also got help with the college application process and learned about important deadlines.
Application fees were waived for participating students.
Cervantes said the goal of Hispano Day is for students to leave with a plan of action regarding college.
High school teachers also attended workshops during the day-long event.
Chriselle Heredia, UNM senior and Hispano Day volunteer, said the event was intended to give students an opportunity to experience college life.
"It's really important to get students from around the state to know that they are welcome, not just at UNM, but at universities in general," Heredia said.
Many of the participating students and teachers who attended the event felt they received useful advice about college life.
"College is a major transition," Alan Marks, principal of South Valley Academy in Albuquerque, said.
Marks said he encourages students to take advantage of all the support services on campus.
Students need "self confidence to know that they can meet the mark," he said.
Marks said students were excited about attending Hispano Student Day, but the thought of college can be scary for many of them.
"Students think, 'This is where I'm gonna be pretty soon - Oh my gosh, this is the real thing,'" Marks said.
Hispano Student Day's co-sponsor, El Centro de la Raza, acts as a "home away from home" for students of all backgrounds, Cervantes said.
The organization provides mentoring and Hispanic cultural activities, in addition to trying to connect with the community and "find out what the community needs from us," Cervantes said.
Marks offered one piece of advice to the high school students attending this year's Hispano Student Day: "Don't go too fast if your goal is success."
