Earlier this month, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Contra Costa County (H5C) presented the 11th annual ‘Narrowing the Gap’ education conference. With a theme of ‘Create your own legacy’, the conference aimed to encourage Latino students to stay in school, learn about college, and network with local business professionals.  

“In my experience, the key to attending college is making the decision to attend college under any personal obstacles or difficult circumstances…the key to success is pursuing a higher education or a skilled trade, networking along the way and having a passion in what you do” said Eric Maldonado, H5C President.

More than 300 invited students, teachers, business and community leaders attended this year’s conference at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg. The conference continues to build on the leadership and dedication of volunteers who donate their time. Students attended sessions on topics such as the health industry, business, trades, law and government.

Scholarships were awarded to several students, including Johnny Benitez.

“All my life I’ve always wanted to graduate high school then go to college,” said Benitez. “After I graduate I want to be a firefighter or a physical therapist for sports. I’m very motivated on being successful in life and making my parents and myself proud.”

Another scholarship winner, Carlos Muñoz, says that one of his goals has always been to accomplish outstanding grades. “So far, I am on the road to achieving this goal,” he says. “I know dedication and hard work will allow me to fulfill this goal. In addition, I wish to push my family ahead in life by helping them economically - graduating from a university with a major will hopefully allow me to do so.”

“My current goals are to maintain my 4.1 GPA and my current student rank of number one in my class, graduate from high school with honors, and be accepted to Stanford University, get a degree in medicine and become a pediatrician,” says Jillian A. Ortiz-Cruz, who also received a scholarship at the event.

“My life struggles have inspired me to work twice as hard to achieve what I am determined to do,” adds Ortiz-Cruz. “Once I earn my degree, I want to help the Hispanic community and inform them about the health of their children - the day I introduce myself as Dr. Ortiz-Cruz, I know my family will feel as proud as I do.”