Planning for the future: Second annual Latino college night

College information presented Oct. 24 at Moses Lake High School

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School senior Analeticia Rivera can relate to the overwhelming process of applying for and choosing a college.

Rivera knows that process can be even more confusing for Latino students and their parents who don't speak English, which is why she is helping to organize the second annual Latino College Information Night at MLHS.

Much of the college application process is done on the Internet and for students who may not have access to it, making it is difficult to apply, Rivera said.

On Oct. 24, English- and Spanish-speaking representatives from major colleges around the state will be available to hand out information and answer questions from 5 to 8:45 p.m.

The first annual Latino College Information Night began last year after a MLHS student attended a college conference in Seattle and wanted more opportunities for students back home to have one on one contact with college representatives, said Gracie DeLeon, program assistant for the English as a Second Language program with the Moses Lake School District.

Before there was a designated college night for Latino students and their parents, DeLeon only saw one Latino student attend.

"I just felt like the needs of the Spanish speaking parents weren't being met," DeLeon said. "It would be nice for us to continue to at least do this to enable parents, to let them know of other resources (and) that the colleges are interested in their children."

As to following up with parents about the college application process and helping them fill out the forms, DeLeon mentioned the possibility of setting aside time for evening classes to teach parents and students how to fill out forms.

No final decisions have been made as to whether those classes will be offered.

The college night is open to all students and their families.

Participating institutions include, Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Big Bend Community College, Washington State University, Wenatchee Valley College, Heritage University, Perry Technical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University, Second Education for Migrant Youth (SEMY) and the Chicano Education Program.