| Summer 2023 Edition
As the bright rays of summer shine upon us, we are delighted to bring you the summer edition of our LNESC newsletter! This season carries a special resonance as we are excited to mark our 50-year commitment to empowering disadvantaged students in communities across the U.S.
In this edition, we're eager to highlight a landmark event: our 50-Year Anniversary Celebration & Youth Conference in the vibrant city of Albuquerque. This event not only celebrated our golden anniversary but is also a testament to our enduring commitment to fostering lifelong learners and leaders. As such, further details on this event will follow in a dedicated section of this newsletter.
We also pay tribute to our remarkable staff in our “Lideres in Action” section, whose dedication and passion have been the pillars of our success. The stories of resilience and commitment are truly inspiring and continue to shape the legacy of our organization.
In order to equip our students and parents for the future, we have also included a segment on enhancing communication skills. As our students venture into the next year of college or even their careers, effective communication will be key to success in their academic and professional journey.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters, donors, volunteers, and staff for accompanying us on this incredible journey. As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we pledge to continue cultivating academic excellence, shaping America's future workforce, and making a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.
Thank you for your unwavering support, and we hope you enjoy reading our summer newsletter. Here's to inspiring minds and changing lives for many more years and seasons to come!
In this Edition:
Que Pasa: Updates and Happenings at LNESC
- LNESC Celebrates 50 Years in Creating Life Long Learners
- LULAC National Scholarship Fund (LNSF)
- Washington Youth Leadership Seminar (WYLS)
- Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund
Connecting Community to Education: LNESC in the Field
- College Readiness: LNESC Oxnard's Summer Journey
- Fostering Future Leaders: LNESC Philedelphia's Journey
Lideres in Action: Rising Stars of LNESC
- Inspiring Excellence: Shane Weller's Journey with LNESC
- Roger Romero: Bridging Divides and Building Futures at LNESC Dallas
College Cues: Tips for Student Readiness
- Cultivating Success: The Role of Effective Communication in Student Achievement
Parent Forum: Strategies for Student Success
- Guiding the Future: How Parents Can Help Students Succeed through Effective Communication
Que Pasa: Updates and Happenings at LNESC
LNESC Celebrates 50 Years in
Creating Life Long Learners
1973-2023
We are excited to celebrate the LNESC 50-Year Anniversary in providing education and leadership programs for Hispanic and other students in need of financial assistance and educational counseling. Through the efforts of 16 education service centers across the U.S., including Puerto Rico, and a host of national programs, we proudly celebrate the positive impact on the future leaders of our communities.
Power of Education: Strategies for Student Success
As part of our year-long celebration, LNESC hosted a one-day youth conference focused on college preparation and developing professional skill-sets towards student success for participating high school students. The program included motivational speakers, professional workshops, and student resources for college and career opportunities. The event concluded with a festive reception celebration featuring live music, featured speakers and student voices.
The highlights of the event included a Career Exploration Forum with participating panelists representing corporate organizations and industries to share insights and perspectives of their respective fields. The keynote speaker during the reception was Melody Gonzales, Executive Director of the White House Hispanic Initiative at the U.S. Department of Education. A surprise visit by Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico added to the excitement as he offered a message on the impact of the work of LNESC.
Students, educators, and attendees alike were all greatly inspired by the remarks from these outstanding leaders and presenters who contributed to the success of this conference.
The event was held on August 2, 2023 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This event was proudly supported by Cheetos, Tyson Foods, ExxonMobil Foundation, and the United States Coast Guard.
LULAC National Scholarship Fund (LNSF)
The LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) in collaboration with 59 LULAC councils from across the country awarded over $640,000 in scholarships to more than 900 students through the 2023 LULAC National Scholarship Fund (LNSF). The LNSF program is a unique collaboration between grassroots advocates and corporate partners to fund educational opportunities for deserving youth across the U.S. Since the inception of the LNSF, LNESC has awarded more than $21 million in scholarships to over 37,000 students.
The 2023 LULAC National Scholarship Fund is sponsored by Cheetos®, Danaher Foundation, Kia America, Nissan, and Walmart Foundation.
Washington Youth Leadership Seminar (WYLS)
The LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) is excited to host its 26th Annual Washington Youth Leadership Seminar (WYLS) in Washington, DC on October 4-8, 2023. The event brings together 50+ aspiring high juniors and seniors from across the United States and Puerto Rico to focus on their own leadership development and encourage participants to apply these lessons back in their communities. Participants are recommended by LNESC field centers and local LULAC Councils to serve as representatives of their home states.
During the event, students attend a series of workshops to prepare them to be leaders within their communities. Workshops focus on leadership development, advocacy training, career exploration, and professional development. The seminar includes students engaging with national leaders and participating in discussions about the changes they want to see made for their communities. The Application is now open and can be found here.
Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund
The Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund is a joint partnership between LNESC & Macy’s to provide financial resources to full-time undergraduate or graduate students in California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, and Texas facing economic hardship and immediate monetary need that, if not met, could result in an inability to complete classes or a degree program. Students who are interested in applying should visit the Macy’s Emergency Scholarship webpage.
For additional non-LNESC scholarship resources, click here.
Connecting Community to Education: LNESC in the Field
LNESC Oxnard
 College Readiness: LNESC Oxnard's Summer Journey
LNESC Oxnard has been buzzing with a wealth of enriching activities and brings together talented students and their supportive families. From engaging field trips and bonding events to remarkable senior accomplishments and community programs….it’s been a busy summer!
To continue reading, click here.
LNESC Philadelphia
Fostering Future Leaders: LNESC Philedelphia's Journey
 LNESC Philadelphia consistently fosters an enriching environment that facilitates academic growth and cultivates valuable life skills. The broad range of programs and activities offered epitomizes the center's commitment to promoting educational opportunities and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
To continue reading, click here.
Lideres in Action: Rising Stars of LNESC
In the summer edition of our newsletter, we are excited to highlight two extraordinary staff members who truly embody the "Líder in action" spirit. These remarkable individuals are instrumental in driving our mission forward, upholding our five-decade-long tradition of providing crucial educational opportunities to communities in need.
Their tireless efforts, creativity, and dedication demonstrate the transformative power of education. They are not just key contributors to our organization, but also shining examples in our communities and continuously inspire us and those we serve.
Shane Weller, Director of LNESC Philadelphia
 Shane Weller's journey with LNESC began in 2009 in El Paso, Texas, where he started as a work-study student. His early days were spent in the heart of the action, providing assistance in classrooms, tutoring students, and bringing in guest speakers that inspired students. After graduating in 2011 from the University of Texas at El Paso, Shane's role transitioned to Academic Advisor for LNESC's Talent Search Program. Shane’s experience as a work-study student laid a strong foundation for executing his responsibilities with diligence. He tirelessly continued to serve in various capacities, including tutoring, student enrichment, event planning, and assisting students with College Readiness. Ultimately, Shane was promoted to Director and moved to Philadelphia, where he continues to serve today!
To continue reading, click here.
Roger Romero, Programs Manager at LNESC Dallas
 We now shift the spotlight to Roger Romero, who serves as the Programs Manager at LNESC Dallas. Roger's exceptional commitment to community service and educational programming truly reflects the essence of a "líder in action!”
As a Program Manager, Roger has contributed to numerous initiatives. Roger's work has a common thread – the upliftment of his community through targeted and high-impact educational programs. From the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) initiative aimed at elementary students, to the Upward Bound program for high school students seeking higher education, his efforts have consistently been directed towards facilitating growth, skill development, and self-awareness.
To continue reading, click here.
College Cues: Tips for Student Readiness
In today's fast-paced world, it is imperative for students to grasp the significance of harnessing the power of effective communication and enhancing their interpersonal skills. These invaluable skills play a pivotal role in achieving academic excellence and elevate your educational journey! Here are a few ways you can engage in strengthening your communicational and interpersonal skills.
Engage in active listening.
 In an educational setting, active listening can enable students to fully understand instructions and ask relevant questions. This can lead to improved learning outcomes. Active listening is a communication skill that involves fully focusing on and comprehending the speaker's message. It goes beyond simply hearing the words being said by the speaker. In fact, it requires undivided attention, empathy, and a genuine desire to understand the speaker's perspective. As such, active listening is essential in empowering students to express their thoughts and opinions more confidently. This can foster a more diverse and inclusive learning environment. Students can watch an informative video on active listening here.
To continue reading, click here.
Parent Forum: Strategies for Student Success
As outlined above, it is also important for parents to recognize the importance of guiding their child in developing effective communication and enhancing their interpersonal skills. These invaluable skills are key to their child's academic success, personal development, and beyond. Here are a few ways parents can actively support and encourage the development of their child's communicational and interpersonal abilities:
Promote Empathy and Understanding.
 The promotion of empathy and understanding in your child is a powerful way to enhance their communication and interpersonal skills. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others and plays a crucial role in building positive relationships in a classroom setting. Children learn from examples, so it’s important to exercise empathy to influence your child’s understanding of empathetic development. Children of all ages observe how their parents treat others and whether they are welcoming to new members in your community. Parents can foster empathy in themselves and modeling it for their children to create an environment that promotes compassion, understanding, and connection! Here is a link to more ways you can foster empathy in children.
To continue reading, click here.
Support LNESC
Your contributions are what helps us continue with our educational programs and provide scholarships to outstanding Latino/a leaders. Together we can continue making an impact on the Latino/a community. Consider supporting LNESC by making a donation.
About LNESC
The LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit agency whose mission is to provide the highest quality educational opportunities needed for the development of life-long learners and leaders.
As LULAC's education arm, since 1973 LNESC has provided direct educational services to under-served communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, serving more than 14,000 students each year. Our educational programs break down the barriers that exist between high-need students and high school diplomas, college degrees, and jobs in highly skilled fields.
Through its network of community-based education centers, LNESC provides educational counseling, scholarships, mentorship, leadership development, literacy, and technology programs.
For more information go to www.lnesc.org. |
