San Luis to host education symposium

SAN LUIS, Ariz. – The importance of studying and maintaining continuity in academic preparation will be highlighted during the first Education Symposium organized by the Arizona Students Association (ASA) in Yuma County.

The local chapter of the statewide organization is preparing the first event of its kind to be offered in the county, scheduled for May 3rd, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the César Chávez Cultural Center.

The goal of the event is to inform and encourage parents and students to give education the value it deserves and to promote more young people attending colleges and universities.

“We see that many people ask why study, they don’t see the importance of education, and many young people lack passion or desire to continue studying; we want to find solutions for all academic levels and have more young people graduate from college or university,” said Brian De La Hoya, ASA representative in the county.

The symposium will feature presentations by Tom Tyree, Superintendent of the Yuma County School District (STEDY); James Sheldahl, Superintendent of Yuma Elementary School District 1; State Representative Mariana Sandoval; and Reetika Dhawan, Director of the Entrepreneurship College at Arizona Western College.

Additionally, presenters will include Luis Cabrera, educator and council member of San Luis; Luisa Arreola, president of the Gadsden Education Association; Norma Nelson, expert in educational counseling; Marycruz Castaneda, psychologist at the Gadsden Elementary School District (GESD) in preschool education; and Elizabeth Valenzuela, Instructional Coach of Special Education at GESD.

De La Hoya explained that representatives from the two southern elementary school districts in the county and Yuma District 1, the largest in the county, will be present at the symposium, allowing attendees to have a clear understanding of the educational situation in the communities.

In addition to the presentations, there will be information booths from organizations such as Amberly’s Place, STEDY, Catholic Community Services, and the Gadsden Education Association.

“This symposium is aimed at parents, students, teachers, or anyone interested in a career in education, and for the general public. We want there to be a connection between the community and superintendents, counselors, psychologists, and specialists,” added the ASA representative.

For more information about the ASA Education Symposium, call (928) 4830002 or email Brian De La Hoya at briandlh98@gmail.com.