National Latina Sorority Sponsors Conference To Assist Junior High Girls
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2001
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Mirella Medina, Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
530-898-9279
National Latina Sorority Sponsors Conference To Assist Junior High Girls
Lambda Theta Nu Sorority at California State University, Chico has sponsored a leadership conference to assist Latina junior-high students in the area in preparing to attend college and be successful in life.
The conference, held yesterday, Oct. 24 on the CSU, Chico campus, hosted 99 young Latinas from Chico, Bidwell, Marsh, Colusa, Maywood, and Williams Junior High Schools.
Founded in 1986, Lambda Theta Nu was the first Latina sorority on the CSU, Chico campus. The sorority has since expanded to chapters on 15 other college campuses, including schools in Nebraska, Texas and Colorado.
The conference was inspired by an American Association of University Women report showing Latinas as the group most likely to drop out of high school. Chela Patterson, associate director of leadership programs and an adviser to the sorority, said academic achievement is a high priority for Lambda Theta Nu students, who have a graduation rate double that of Latina students nationwide.
The conference included workshops on setting realistic educational goals at an early age, choosing college preparatory classes and applying for financial aid, becoming familiar with the college environment, and gaining self-esteem. Patterson and Chicano Studies Professor Susan Green were among the speakers.
Funding was provided by Educational Talent Search, Leadership Education and Development (LEAD), Sierra Cedar Products and Birmingham Trucking, Inc.
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