Nearly 500 Hispanic high school students connected with colleges and careers at the Nebraska Latino Youth Summit. See how the event empowers the next generation
By Kassidy Arena, Senior Reporter Nebraska Public Media News
A wave of youthful ambition filled the La Vista Conference Center on Thursday as hundreds of Hispanic high school students gathered for the 12th annual Nebraska Latino Youth Summit. The event, designed to bridge the gap between education and career dreams, saw an enthusiastic turnout, with many students arriving early to seize the day.
With a record attendance of nearly 500 students from sophomores to seniors, the summit served as a dynamic hub for networking and discovery. The energy was palpable as attendees explored vendor booths and engaged with representatives from colleges and various industries.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen set the tone with a keynote address, urging the young leaders to build their lives and futures within the state. The summit’s core mission, as explained by organizer Maria Arriaga of the Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans, was to provide visible role models. “When students see Latino professionals thriving across Nebraska, it charts a tangible path for their own aspirations,” Arriaga stated. “It’s about creating a legacy of representation.”
About 500 students showed up for Thursday’s Nebraska Latino Youth Summit. The event was held at the La Vista Conference Center auditorium. (Photo by Kassidy Arena/Nebraska Public Media News)
For many students, the event was a personal journey. Jeremy Diaz Lopez, a senior at Crete High School, helped organize his school’s Multicultural Union to attend. “As a school with a strong Hispanic community, we wanted to connect with the larger Latino network in Nebraska,” he shared. “My parents are from Guatemala, and being here helps me feel more connected to my heritage while planning my future.”
His peers, Britney Alarcon Panzi and Jimena Zamora, who serve as vice president and president of the union respectively, emphasized the importance of gaining advocacy skills. “Conferences like this teach us how to empower our community—to encourage voting, pursuing higher education, and taking cultural pride,” noted Alarcon Panzi.
The need for such empowerment is clear. According to Pew Research data, a significant gap exists in voter eligibility between Hispanic and white populations in Nebraska. Zamora sees the summit as a vital step forward: “This is a powerful opportunity for our members to explore college options and learn to be proud of who they are.”
For the vendors, the day was deeply meaningful. Elizabeth Vazquez, a first-generation college graduate now pursuing her master’s degree, represented Metropolitan Community College (MCC). “Planting that seed of possibility is everything,” Vazquez expressed. “Representation matters. Students need to see people with similar backgrounds who have walked this path and succeeded.”
Soledad Garcia (left) and Elizabeth Vazquez are one of the first tables students see when they walk in the conference center. “It’s important to expose these young adults, to this. Because I know 20 years ago, we didn’t have large Latino education support,” Vasquez said. “It makes my heart so happy to know that Nebraska, Omaha’s getting it.” (Photo by Kassidy Arena/Nebraska Public Media News)
Her colleague, Soledad Garcia, highlighted the dual focus of their outreach. “Our goal is not only to show students that a fulfilling, well-paying career is within reach but also to educate their parents about the opportunities and support systems available,” Garcia explained. She pointed to MCC’s paid training programs as a direct pathway to skilled professions.
While a 2024 state report indicates that Hispanic graduates often face academic preparedness gaps compared to some peers, the growing diversity in freshman enrollment signals a positive shift. Arriaga firmly believes that “education is the only way to break the poverty cycle,” and her vision is expanding. Plans are already underway to welcome students from neighboring states to next year’s summit.
As the event concluded, Arriaga left a powerful message for the attendees and the community: “These young leaders are not just the future; they are the present, shaping Nebraska today.”
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