For immediate release - Oct. 9, 2006
(DALLAS) – The keys to success open doors of opportunity through education.
With open doors, we open minds and opportunities – especially for students, who will learn more about the keys to success through a special program, “Las Llaves del Exito.”
Area colleges and universities – in partnership with the Dallas County Community College District, the Dallas Independent School District, the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and several community-based organizations – want to share those keys to success with students and their families, particularly Latino/Hispanic members, during a special program on Saturday, Oct. 28. “Las Llaves del Éxito” (“The Keys to Success”) will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at Richland College, 12800 Abrams Road, Dallas, Texas 75243. The event is free and open to the public; students in grades six through 12, and their families, are encouraged to attend.
Las Llaves was started several years ago by a committee of community members who wanted to encourage high school students to graduate and continue their education. The conference will feature information sessions in English and Spanish about: planning for college; writing an essay; paying for college; passing the state’s TAKS test (a new session that features a TAKS rally for parents and students); preparing for college by taking the SAT and ACT exams; exploring careers; and applying for and learning more about the opportunities that a college education can provide by using the keys to success to open that door.
More than 1,000 participants usually attend the event, and more than 200 volunteers work with students and their parents, providing practical information to help them become college-bound. (A related spring event will be scheduled specifically for high school juniors and seniors.) Brunch is provided for volunteers, speakers and participants.
College representatives, admissions specialists and financial aid advisors will talk to families about the application process and steps they need to take to be considered for admission and financial aid. Institutions and corporations involved in the program include DCCCD, the Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Dallas ISD, Mesquite ISD, Richardson ISD, Garland ISD, the University of North Texas Dallas Campus, UNT-Denton, the University of Texas at Dallas, Richland College, Education Is Freedom, LNESC, Metzger Awards, DeVry University and Eastfield College.
For more information, call Lettie Cruz with Dallas ISD at (972) 925-3165, Perla Molina in the DCCCD community development office at (214) 860-2691, or DCCCD’s Spanish line at (214) 860-2432.
Press contact: Ann Hatch, 214-860-2478