2013 PUSD Latino Recognition Ceremony

The school year is winding down.  That means that the end of the year celebrations are beginning to go to full swing.

Last week there was the PCC President's Latino Advisory Committee Scholarship Breakfast. Nearly $60,000 in scholarships awarded since the inception of the awards. Fourteen scholarships were awarded last Tuesday.   Those of us who coordinated the event wish there could be more and are resolute that their will be more next year!

On May 11th the members of LULAc will hosting their Leaders in Education Recognition and Scholarship Awards from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Washington Middle School.  The master of ceremonies will be outgoing school board member, Ramon Miramontes.  Moctezuma Esparza will present a special award honorirng Sal Castro and LAUSD President Monica Garcia will be the keynote speaker.

El Centro de Acción Social usually has a scholarship event, but information on that event isn't available online, at that this date.  I'm sure it will be, but not as of this writing.

On May 19th several groups will be presenting the Latino Recognition Ceremony at PCC.  In 2007 several groups that provide services to Latino students joined together to present the Latino Recognition Ceremony.  Over the years the groups have changed, but the commitment has remained.

This year keynote will be author and PCC Author in Residence, Reyna Grande.  There will be recognition of the educators Sal Castro and Pasadena's own Oscar Palmer.

The ceremony is focused on acknowledging the efforts of all students and their families, being especially mindful of those who may not "walk" in June due to units they might need to complete over the summer or a need to pass the CAHSEE exam.  The students have students have stayed, or, in some cases, returned to school.

There'll be more information highlighting this event later this week.

A last thought - Latinas and Latinos make up about a third of the city of Pasadena.  Latina and Latino students make up 60% of the PUSD.  Is it any wonder that there would be different events?  To be honest, I'm surprised when folks are surprised that more than one recognition exists.