Cuban refugee Andres Lara to speak to Latino teens

More than 500 Northwest suburban high school students will participate in the 15th annual Latino Summit from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine.

The all-day event, which focuses on the importance of staying in school and pursuing higher education, targets Latino high school freshmen and sophomores, including students from Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, John Hersey, Rolling Meadows, Vanguard and Wheeling high schools; Maine East and Maine West high schools; Glenbrook South High School; Barrington High School; and Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Palatine high schools.

The keynote speaker is Andres Lara, who escaped from Cuba at the age of 16 and arrived in the U.S. without any money or his parents, according to his biography. At the time, he did not speak the English language.

Now 26, he is currently the CEO of A. Success Training, former president of Inspiration Magazine and a nationally known speaker. He is also the author of three books and has appeared on radio shows and news articles across the country.

Transportation and lunch will be provided at no cost to participants. Students will hear presentations by Latino professionals who will discuss the obstacles they have overcome in order to achieve success.

The inspirational and informative program will help participants begin making plans for life after high school, which is key to realizing their goals. Students will also have a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, make contacts and meet peers with similar aspirations for the future. Presentations will be made in English and Spanish.

The Latino Summit is a self-supported endeavor and each year must find funds to finance the event and the scholarships provided to deserving seniors.

For more information or to offer financial support, whether individual or corporate, please contact Claudia Rueda-Alvarez at Cruedaal varez@maine207.org.