College opportunity draws minority students

EVERETT — An annual conference that encourages middle and high school minorities to explore college and career options is outgrowing its digs at Everett Community College.

What started out with 75 students six years ago reached 625 last Friday.

“It’s record numbers,” said Christina Castorena, EvCC associate dean for diversity.

“We would have had more students come if we had the space,” said Bill Reed, an EvCC accounting instructor.

The event is open to students of all races but focuses on minorities. Students from 10 middle schools and 10 high schools attended last week.

On average, minority students lag behind white students in state exams for middle and high school students and are less likely to pursue college, according to Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board statistics.

Building relationships between minority professionals and students is crucial to closing the gap, event organizers said. The conference included career panels with professionals, a motivational speaker and information booths with representatives from colleges. The most popular panel discussions were in engineering, medical and science fields.

“I think different students will take away different nuggets from the event,” Reed said. “We are trying to expose them to enough elements where it will stick. This whole idea that there are people of color who have overcome challenges and they (students) can look and see and touch and feel them will give them the motivation that they can do it, too.”

Ideally, students will attend several times beginning in middle school, he said.

Cascade High School seniors Tina Nguyen and Njoc Doan said they were surprised how many students attended from their school.

There were two buses of students, Doan said.

“I didn’t know we had that many (minorities) in our school,” she said.

Both said they liked having a chance to meet with college representatives.

“It helps me learn about the support and college financial aid that’s out there,” Nguyen said.

“It has definitely helped me a lot,” said Chelzy Desvigne, a freshman from Henry M. Jackson High School.

Jared Watson, a marketing student from the University of Washington, answered dozens of questions from prospective students interested in attending the UW. He believes the conference opened minds to possibilities.

“They see that there is opportunity to do what they didn’t think they would be able to do before,” he said.

Marysville-Pilchuck High School senior Lila Hart first attended the conference when she was in the sixth grade.

She draws inspiration from the message from people who have succeeded.

“I always think if they can do it, I can, too,” she said.

Classmate Stephanie Ancheta said the speakers emphasize the need to set goals and work hard.

“You feel that you can do it,” she said. “You just have to keep trying.”

The Students of Color Career Conference is part of Snoho­mish County’s weeklong remembrance of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. It is co-sponsored by the city of Everett, Snohomish County, Everett Public Schools and Marysville School District.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.