If opportunities for successful lives seem elusive for local Hispanics, obstacles can be overcome through effort.
That message was delivered Friday to 220 Latino students in grades 7-10 during the first “Es Posible” conference, presented by the Latino Education Group, a program of the Community Education Coalition.
Delivering the keynote address at the Columbus Learning Center was Erika Espinoza, a 2013 Columbus North and 2017 Ball State University journalism graduate. She was a member of The Arizona Republic’s 2018 Pulitzer Prize Explanatory Reporting team that covered the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Brought to the United States illegally by her parents, Espinoza was able to benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program set in place during the Obama administration.
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While Espinoza said she never thought she would be able to afford college, she felt an obligation to her parents to give her academic best because they came to the U.S. specifically to provide her with a brighter future.
Although her Spanish-speaking mother and father struggled in understanding English, they attended every academic-related event or meeting with her teachers, Espinoza said.
Addressing her younger Latino counterparts, Espinoza urged them to take a pro-active interest in finding opportunities to advance themselves.
“If you have a passion, no matter what it is, you have to move on with it,” Espinoza said.
Part of what got Espinoza noticed during high school was her successful applications for a variety of leadership and design awards, as well as volunteering at local meal sites.
Being pro-active was also pushed heavily Friday by the Latino Education Group, which held seminars ranging from career readiness and effective study habits to a Q&A session with successful Hispanic professionals.
Fear was frequently brought up as a negative influence, and Espinoza admitted there have been several times when she has been terrified about facing academic challenges or finding career opportunities.
“But I discovered that when you immerse yourself in your passion, interest and career, a lot of things can happen as a result,” she said.
In 2013, Espinoza became one of two students chosen by a Heritage Fund selection committee to receive full tuition for four years to the Indiana college of her choice through the Lilly Endowment.
Today, Espinoza works as a digital designer for various media outlets while completing her master’s degree at Ball State University.
But despite her success, Espinoza knows it can suddenly disappear.
“I still face uncertainty and fear about my future, just as I did when I went to Columbus North,” Espinoza said. “But it’s also empowering because it’s a chance for us to prove the current system is wrong — that our parents’ sacrifices were not in vain — and that our presence in the United States is significant and necessary.”
Columbus North senior Luis Lopez, another conference speaker, stressed the importance of developing a growth mindset. The term means staying open-minded and maintaining a positive outlook on life.
Lopez told his peers that while obstacles will consistently test them, it is important to keep pushing through the tough times, working hard and learning from these experiences.
“This type of event is needed in Columbus, and it can be very useful for many people,” said Pablo Ponce, 16, a student at Columbus North. “It’s already answered many questions I had when I arrived.”
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Here are nine key elements in building a growth mindset.
- Stop seeking approval.
- Develop a sense of purpose
- View challenges as opportunities.
- Constructive criticism is good.
- Take risks.
- Think realistically about goals.
- Effort before talent.
- Growth over speed.
- Reward actions, not traits.
Source: The "Es Posible" Book of Success.
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