Lake County Gazette

This year’s LatinaCon aimed at Latina girls in grades 6-12, was held at the Dan Vallez Family Education Center on Friday, March 7, featuring more sessions than last year and attracting over 150 attendees.

The event commenced with a Q&A session featuring successful Latina women from the Westminster Community. Representatives from Denver International Airport and Mile High Stadium Events and Venues shared stories about courage, identity, and career breakthroughs.

Michelle Sandoval, Director of Strategic Outreach and Engagement for Denver International Airport, recounted a college experience where she often found herself as the only person of color in the room. During one class exercise requiring students to disclose their parents' professions, Sandoval felt uneasy sharing that her mother cleaned hotel rooms and her father was a commercial painter. After discussing this with her mother, who then addressed the professor directly, he acknowledged his lack of awareness and later invited Sandoval to be his Teaching Assistant.

Following the panel discussion, various breakout sessions were available for both students and their parents or guardians. Students participated in workshops to learn new skills, explore different career paths, and plan how to achieve their goals while remaining true to themselves. Parents received advice on supporting their children's education through loans and financial aid as well as strategies for prioritizing mental health.

Lunchtime featured an impressive spread including pozole, tamales, horchata, agua de jamaica (hibiscus tea), and arroz con leche (rice pudding). WHS cook Maria prepared her own recipe for pozole which received enthusiastic praise from attendees.

As the event concluded and students departed to catch their buses every participant left with a book of their choice along with renewed perspectives on what they can achieve in the future.