How well are high schools in Tucson preparting their minority students for college?

Photo taken by: Danielle C. Chapot

Hey and thanks for reading!

This week I wanted to focus on a really important issue of how high schools in Tucson, Arizona are preparing their minority students for college enrollment.

At Tucson High Magnet School located at 400 N. Second Ave., launched a pilot guidance program in 2001 to concentrate on college advising to its minority students.

First off, I want make clear what the ethnic breakdown is at THMS for the present time:

Hispanic: 59%
White: 29%
African American: 6%
Asian: 2%
Native American: 4%

Photo taken by: Danielle C. Chapot

Post-Secondary School Counselor at THMS, Marissa Ostroff said "I believe that a firm foundation of motivation and persistence to degree completion begins from actively engaging minority students in the learning process early through the school years."

"As students progress to high school, educators must continue to reach and to motivate these students guiding them toward the road to college encouraging and challenging coursework," she said.



According to an article Ostroff wrote entitled "Tucson High Magnet School Pilot Program: Tucson, Arizona," the purpose and focus of the school's college counselors are to maintain the following with an extra focus on minority students:

*to raise its students' aspirations and standards
*to improve the success in all coursework
*to to analyze and work to change the status quo in an effort to raise the level of achievement in students
*to reduce the level of pressure and stress in the college application process
*to find the "best college fit" for each student
*to raise the bar and the expectations of each student
*to aid with scholarship searches, testing information, college visits, and financial aid opportunities

Serving an extremely diverse student body, THMS has grown from 2,100 students to 3,000 students within the past five years. The number of seniors who have already been accepted into a college has risen by a lot from a "consistent range of approximately 83% between 2004-2006 with high emphases on minorities," Ostroff wrote.

Of this 83 percent, 50 percent has been admitted into a two-year college and 33 percent of the 83 have been admitted into a four-year college.

"The elements of repetition of college entrance information, counselor availability, motivation and demonstration of the process are critical factors to college advancement," Ostroff said.

"The focus is to not only be admitted but to remain active and graduate," she said.

To contact THMS, click here.

Meet Gamma Alpha Omega Hispanic Sorority

Welcome back and thank you for reading!

This week I have decided to focus on profiling a local sorority here at the University of Arizona to give my readers an opportunity to read about something very important: how the University of Arizona has incorporated and highlighted the achievements and recognition of its Hispanic learners, into its student body.

So, meet Gamma Alpha Omega Hispanic Sorority. Gamma Alpha Omega was founded in 1993 at the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, Arizona by five college women.

Their goal was to push forward the Hispanic body through activity and challenged learning. The sorority targets common-day social issues in the Hispanic community, as well as targets the accomplishment and success of the academic distinction of its members.

"We consider ourselves a mulit-cultural organization and accept women of all backgrounds and
ethnicity's," said Jessica Aguirre, a current active member of Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority Inc. Beta Chapter since 2003.

"We were formed for Latina women as a support system, to give encouragement to these women to get an education and to give back to the Hispanic community," she said.

"I think the major thing we have accomplished is being a support system for minority women. "

"This semester we have 7 active members, which is very small compared to a traditional sorority, but by being this small gives us a chance to really get to know one another."

The sorority's mission is also to seek, motivate and serve the Hispanic student body to get out into the real world and be leaders. The sorority has reached to nine different states and there are currently fifteen chapters on various campuses.

Our main philanthropy is the John Valenzuela Youth Center in
South Tucson, a predominately Hispanic community. Through the center we are
often found playing games with the kids or helping with homework. This
semester my two sisters

This year, sisters Nicole Brown and Rachel Mendivil created an outreach program called "Studying with a Wildcat," which is designed for the sorority philanthropy John Valenzuela Youth Center. The tutoring program enables children from the John Valenzuela Youth Center to come to the University of Arizona and familiarize themselves with a college campus.

Aguirre said it is designed to "give them a feel of what the UA is about, let them know there are people who look like them at the UA, and let them know it is possible to get an education no matter what their background is."

The program takes place in the Integrated Learning Center (ILC) every Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Amongst numerous accomplishments, Gamma Alpha Omega was "officially recognized" as "an incorporated entity in the state of Arizona" in April of 2001.

Its founding mothers are:

Michelle Seanez
Amy Alvarez
Patsy Guardado
Clara Lopez
Michelle Mendoza

Executive Board Members, include:

Vanessa Ruiz: President
Zayoni Torres: Vice President
Jessica Aguirre: Sergeant at Arms and Treasurer
Yomaira Pena: Standards
Wendy Ayala: Public Relations
Karina Mendoza: National Representative
Rachel Mendivil: Traditions

To view upcoming events occurring in the sorority, click here.

To contact the sorority, click here.

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Photo taken by: Danielle C. Chapot

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Thanks for your visit!

The mission of the Lambda Theta Phi chapter is to support Hispanic students in their successes towards graduating.

The chapter fosters leaders, opportunities for networking and higher academics amongst the college environment. Its members strive to create an impact on its community through the ties and services each member works hard to bring to the table.

Last month Lambda Theta Phi celebrated Hispanic Heritage month with an annual event called El Grito de Lambda. At the event, a live-band performed celebrating the independence of Latin American countries.

The chapter provides guest speakers and information to make the UA community aware of its Hispanic community.

To view 2007 awards members from the National chapter have received, Click Here.

"Our fraternity on campus has made waves considering its young tenure on this university campus," said brother of Lambda Theta Phi Jose Rodriguez Jr.

"We have made strides in providing leadership through CHSA, SHPE, JUNTOS, NCLC and USFC," Rodriguez said.

"We have been leaders by taking top positions in each of the groups, setting the example for latinos and our fellow younger brothers to follow," he said.

For more information please visit the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. National Web site.

Hispanic Business Student Association

Welcome back and thank you for your visit!

This week I looked into the University of Arizona's Hispanic Business Student Association. I think that there are a lot of great things that this organization is doing for the UA community and just wanted to share with my readers.

The HBSA was established in spring of 2004. Its mission is to support undergraduate Hispanic business students' development professionally and educationally. The goal is to also support the diversity of the Hispanic community.

"I would say that one of our biggest goals is to create a networking opportunity not only with professionals but also with current students so that we are all able to help each other succeed," Violeta Perez, the HBSA president said.

Many UA Eller Colleg students are involved in HBSA and according to Perez, HBSA alumni "have secured positions with companies such as Macy's West, Accenture, the Vanguard Group, and Intel."

The following is a list of HBSA achievements over the years:
* Two $500 scholarships at the Cinco de Mayo Award Ceremony
*Providing corporate guest speakers for its members
* Participation in the Eller College Philanthropy

Future goals for HBSA include giving out more scholarships at future Cinco de Mayo Events, improving and increasing the number of its members, and hosting more Hispanic Heritage Month events.

"I think the association is headed in a good direction," Perez said.

"We currently have about 15 active members, but as the document says I would like to see that number double by next year," he said.

"I think that with all the Hispanic students on campus, we should have higher membership."

To visit HBSA: McClelland Hall Room 118

Contact:
Violeta Perez
President
Hispanic Business Student Association
vaperez@email.arizona.edu