Colorado State’s El Centro Hosts Annual Recognition of Achievements of Graduating Latino Students

Colorado State University’s El Centro Student Services, the advocacy office for Latinas and Latinos, will hold a 25th annual achievement awards banquet at 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, in the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom.  

Festivities will center on the theme of "Latinas and Latinos Graduating in the 21st Century at Colorado State University," which honors the diversity of the university’s students, parents, staff, faculty, colleagues and supporters of El Centro Student Services.

Every year, students graduating from Colorado State and their families are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony and banquet. All community members, students, parents, extended families and friends are invited to attend and celebrate Latina and Latino student accomplishments.

"The many graduating students are excited that the youth in our community are invited and highly encouraged to attend. The awards program is an opportunity for today’s youth to know that students

graduating in the class of 2007-2008 support their decision to stay in school and achieve their goals," said Guadalupe Salazar, El Centro director.

Graduating students will share many inspiring stories of challenges and successes encountered while at CSU.

"It is our hope that these stories will inspire event attendees and emphasize that Latinos are successful leaders who continue to make a difference," Salazar said. "The students and youth who are attending include our future leaders, leading the way for others to continue to enroll at Colorado State University. The celebration is held annually to honor the  graduates for their hard work and accomplishments which will take them to the next step into their chosen path of leadership."

The achievement banquet will begin at 6:15 p.m. Pre-ceremony entertainment will be provided by "Grupo Aztlan." A dance will follow the program featuring "BAD HABITZ."

Tickets to the dinner, ceremony and dance are $40 per person, and reservations must be received by 5 p.m. April 28. Graduating students receive complimentary tickets for themselves and one guest. For more information or to make reservations, contact Guadalupe Salazar or Sara Lopez in the El Centro office at (970) 491-1926 or e-mail Guadalupe at gsalazar@exchange.colostate.edu

For 32 years, El Centro has helped CSU students succeed through a variety of services and academic programs created to help students transition into university life and develop proper studying skills. El Centro provides services such as academics and financial counseling, cultural activities, personal and professional development, scholarship information, mentoring opportunities and referrals to connect with other departments. The office also provides students with work-study employment, internships, independent study opportunities and research opportunities. El Centro promotes the history and culture of people of Mexican and Latino ancestry and provides educational cultural enrichment programming throughout the academic year for students to learn about the richness of the Latino culture.

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