Conference aims to inspire Latino youth
Anyone who thinks there aren’t many inspirations for Latino youth these days hasn’t been paying attention to what the Latino Role Model Conference has been doing the past 25 years.
Founded in 1990 by Esau Herrera and his family, the conference has introduced San Jose youth to a huge roster of panelists, made up of alumni from the East Side Union High School District, who have built careers as engineers, attorneys, teachers, public safety officers and media representatives.
“It’s hard to be what you can’t see,” Herrera says. “Our students need to see their own reflection in the leaders and role models from our community.”
The 25th anniversary conference takes place this Saturday at Overfelt High School in San Jose, starting with the annual role model procession at 9:15 a.m. and continuing through the day.
Some of this year’s panelists are Dr. Juan Carrillo, Dr. Judith Sanchez, San Jose police Officer
Victor Rodriguez, KTVUTV reporter Janine de la Vega, attorney Servando
Sandoval and teacher Karina Soto.
BOUQUETS FOR CITTI: Ask Chris Citti what one of the best parts of his job as vice president of Citti’s Florist is, and he may tell you it’s getting to meet so many people from nonprofit groups around the Bay Area. And nonprofits are glad to know Citti. He’s been a driving force behind several networking and charity events in the valley, and floral arrangements from his family company have graced the tables of countless others.
That kind of work doesn’t show up on a balance sheet, but it’s a big reason why Citti was selected to be the latest face on the Silicon Val- ley Capital Club’s Carl E. Cookson Wall of Fame.
Citti was lauded by an overflow crowd of family, friends and colleagues Tuesday night at the downtown San Jose business club, where he has chaired the Events Council and the Board of Governors. “I know the award is not only for what I do here at the club but what I do in the community,” Citti said. “I am truly blessed and humbled by the recognition.”
RUNNING START FOR
OKTOBERFEST: Extra credit for anyone going to Saturday’s big Oktoberfest in Campbell who starts off the day by running in the Oktoberfest 10K/5K on the Los Gatos Creek Trail that morning. You can still register for $32 on the day of the race, which kicks off at 9 a.m. at Campbell Park.
Whether you run or not, you can still enjoy the festival, with plenty of German food, beer and entertainment throughout the day from the Silicon Valley Accordion Society, Bughorn Rex, the California Repercussions Marching Band and the Internationals.
It’ll also be a stop for the 50 Tour: Champions of the Bay exhibit, featuring the eight Lombardi trophies won by the 49ers and Raiders. Get details at www. downtowncampbell.com.
WHEEL IRONY: While Silicon Valley Bicycle Co- alition Executive Director Shiloh Ballard was at San Jose Stage Company on Oct. 5 at a Knight Foundation event pushing to get more people on bikes, someone was outside stealing the bike belonging to her longtime partner, Dan King.
“The positive spin: Someone was so inspired by my talk that they had to take his bike and ride off,” she said. “And, fortunately, he doesn’t mind getting a new bike at all.”