Club Latino collaborated with local high schools to bring 50 low-income and minority high school students to campus on Friday, April 18.   High school students shadowed Whitman students to a class, ate lunch in Jewett and then attended several workshops designed to teach the students about the application process.

“Many of the students don’t have as much support from home, so we gave them workshops about things that many upper class and middle class students take for granted,” said Club Latino Co-President Estela Vasquez.

The workshops, as well as the itinerary, were designed by Club Latino members.
“It’s incredible that Whitman students have led this whole thing.   Each club member has become empowered by this experience,” said Intercultural Center Director and sponsor of Club Latino Andres Dankel-Ibaneziomes.

One of Club Latino’s goals for this year has been to increase the amount of interactions between Whitman and the outside community.

“We live in such a bubble here and it reminds us that there’s a side of life that most of us have probably never seen before,” said first-year Taneeka Hansen, who was in charge of matching Whitman and high school students.

Club Latino members hoped the high school students would be able to connect with Whitman students and professors.

“It’s a day to personally connect with students, a day to convey our experiences and our stories.   As Latinos in college, we are the example, and they are the future,” said Vasquez.

Whitman students were paired one-on-one with high school students, and many students from outside Club Latino volunteered to host a student.

“It’s really cool how receptive Whitman students have been to the students.   Whitman students make them feel so comfortable.   It’s great to see that,” said Dankel-Ibaneziomes.

Club Latino invited professors to talk to students, but due to time constraints, this was cancelled.

“I like the way the teachers interact with the students.   I think they explain stuff pretty good,” said high school student Karina Torres, who attended a core class with her host.

Vasquez considered the event successful.   It accomplished the club’s primary goal of exposing the students to a nice college.

“Exposure can make such a difference,” said Vasquez.   “If someone tells you at least once, you think maybe you can do it.”

Whitman students also gained from the event.

“Whitman students are empowered to apply the social justice component they might learn about in the classroom,” said Dankel-Ibaneziomes.   “This is just the classic example.   Students are really able to give back to the community.”