Newark Students Participate In 2016 Latino Youth Leadership Conference

From Newark Public Schools:

Over 100 Newark students participated in the Boys to Leaders Foundation’s fourth annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference at Rutgers University-Newark on Saturday, October 22. Throughout the conference, students engaged in the Boys to Leaders Foundation’s signature leadership training, as well as various workshops focused around college affordability, athletic scholarships, and life skills development within the Latino community.

“The Boys to Leaders Foundation has been an important asset to our community, exposing talented young men across the city to leadership development opportunities that they can utilize to help advance their lives both academically and personally,” said Christopher Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS). “NPS values the resources that the Latino Youth Leadership Conference provides to our students, as the foundation continues to fulfill its mission by empowering, motivating, and inspiring Newark’s young men to achieve their fullest potential.”

Throughout the day, the conference workshops were facilitated by Jason Cortés and Engelbert Santana of Rutgers University-Newark, as well as Da'Mon Merkerson from Temple University and Judge Severiano Lisboa, III of Hudson County. Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF, was the keynote speaker of the conference. Additionally, Newark’s North Ward Councilman, Anibal Ramos, Jr., also attended the event, awarding a scholarship from the Anibal Ramos Jr. Civic Association to Joseph Terrones, who graduated from Robert Treat Academy and is currently in his second year at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington.

The Boys to Leaders Foundation, Inc., founded in 2013 by Sara Peña of Newark, opens up their annual conference to young men ranging from ages 13 to 20.

Photo Courtesy of Newark Public Schools