Sharing inspiration

WEYERS CAVE — The words came in two languages, but their encouragement could not be mistaken:

“Sí, se puede,” Silvia Garcia-Romero told the students.

Yes, you can.

About 150 Hispanic high school students, most bilingual in English and Spanish, heard this message Thursday during “Prepárate,” a career and college-preparation conference hosted by Blue Ridge Community College.

Garcia-Romero, a BRCC and James Madison University graduate, shared her story of moving to Virginia from Mexico to pursue higher education.

“I made a promise that I wouldn’t give up on my goals,” she told the students from five Harrisonburg-area high schools.

Hers was just one of a handful of presentations throughout the day. Some reminded students of the value of being bilingual, while others explained financial aid opportunities. Campus tours allowed students a glimpse of programs like nursing and aviation maintenance.

“Sometimes we are, like, lost,” said Harrisonburg High School senior Rosa Rodriguez, of Cuba. “We don’t know how to get somewhere ... the steps.”

Rodriguez, her sister, her friends and other students were asked to write their goals Thursday and to think about the expectations of their families.

“How many of your friends are actually graduating from high school and going to college?” Garcia-Romero asked students. “I want you to think about your parents ... your neighborhood.”

Rodriguez is considering nursing and social work. She’s been accepted to Eastern Mennonite University and is hopeful for good news from JMU as well.

“I have seen the need for Latino students,” Rodriguez said of social work. “I can help with families.”

As shared by Garcia-Romero, statistics paint a sobering picture of Hispanic education levels. Just more than half of Hispanics graduate from Harrisonburg High School. Less than 10 percent of Virginia’s undergraduate college enrollment is made up of Hispanics.

But earning a bachelor’s degree can mean 86 percent more income. And degree-earning Hispanics encounter an unemployment rate half of those who don’t finish college, Garcia-Romero said.

As one student wrote during a group session, she felt as though she is expected to fail.

“Part of the battle of being Latina is to prove to [naysayers] that yes you can succeed,” said Diana Nieves, Spanish teacher at Spotswood High. “The support system is out there.”

Nieves applauded the conference.

“It’s very rare that a group of Latino girls and boys can get together to talk about the future,” she said.

During a demonstration in the college’s nursing building, students were told to tackle algebra, chemistry and biology classes as soon as possible.

Another presentation asked the Hispanic boys if they would be able to enroll in college classes as much as their female peers, who nationwide are outpacing boys in enrollment.

Other speakers described higher education programs at JMU, Massanutten Technical Center and Valley Vocational Technical Center.

Cristina Gonzalez-Lamas, a senior at Spotswood, said she is considering community college to save money. She worries about finding a job, “especially as a teacher,” she said.

Gonzalez-Lamas shared her thoughts with Blue Ridge student Blanca Correa, 18, during the session.

Correa, who wants to be a dentist, is the first in her family to attend college. Her younger brother often asks about her classes.

“It’s a new world for us,” Correa said.