This month we begin a special feature of an MCPS student who positively represents who we are as young Latinos, breaking the stereotypes we typically see in media.  There is no “one-size fits all” when it comes to Latinos, and each month we hope to highlight our diversity of race, dreams, accomplishment and Latinidad.

Como diria Chespirito…”Siganme los buenos!”

To launch our first feature, we introduce…

Danny Gonzalez

School: James Hubert Blake High School

Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rican and Guatemalan

For me, being a Latino in America means helping bring up a generation that exceeds typical stereotypes of underachievement or incapability and to represent Latino communities throughout the United States, showing the impact and potential we have to influence ourselves and the people around us for the better. While the Latino population has the lowest graduation and achievement rates, I don’t think that we should have that image or title as the lowest achievers. I see a responsibility to serve as an example that shows there are Latinos are doing something and show the good things we can do and what we can reach.

What keeps me going everyday is knowing that all I’m working for right now is what will result in as my future. I’ve learned and heard from many leaders that many do not think proactively or “into the future” about what results and consequences their actions will bring and that it is difficult to have a long-term perspective on things. But what gives me motivation to work everyday is knowing that accomplishment can be reached by putting effort in the things I do and disciplining myself, knowing that there is potential for me to let unravel if I simply prepare and train myself.

The greatest challenge/problem for Latino youth is breaking out of the stereotypes on the Latino community being looked upon as underachievers. In schools, Latinos students are predominantly the ethnic group with the lowest SAT scores and grade point averages. The Latino youth has struggled with building an education-based life. Many Latino students slack in school and do not value their education as a priority to have a successful life. Lack of self-motivation, self-discipline, and dedication is a major issue in many Latino students.

My biggest dream is to make a difference in the lives of as many people as I can politically, academically, and as many aspects as possible. My main goal and hope is to see the Latino community rise out of the undermined stereotypes of underachievement in schools. Where we won’t be looked down upon, but rather looked up to. And that it get to the point where we are looked for to make the decisions that affect us all. I wish that in some way I could leave a legacy for my family and everyone else to follow to make a difference for the better of us all.

Before dying, I would like to travel to different countries. I don’t want to stay sort of boxed in the United States making it all I know. I would like to get to witness personally different countries and learn more about them. The reality is that there are a lot more out in the world to be known, and I don’t want to stay within the boundaries of what is familiar to me. America is frequently described as a mixture of many races, cultures, and backgrounds so visiting different countries where those aspects originated from would give me so much insight of our backgrounds. And finally, I just would love to have the opportunity to see how other people around the world live.

Education is important for me because in this world we live in, education is what gives individuals, minorities or higher class, the edge on reaching success and having a good life. Having a higher education, and having exceptional academic achievement increases the chance of an individual going to a good school, and if they continue their good achievement, they may have a higher chance of getting chosen for the best jobs. And most likely that trend of high achievement will continue throughout their career and the rest of their life. Another reason why I think education is important is because education is knowledge about the world we live in, about how it works, what happens in it and what has happened, and can help us further discover the world. Without an education, many would live in ignorance about the place they live in. Having an education is a huge benefit and cornerstone for all individuals.

You’ve heard it once, twice; a million times: New Year, new you. But, how do we follow through?

Simple. By giving our goals an opportunity, for 21 days. Whether you want to shed a few pounds, get your GPA up, or everything else in between.

This past year we came across some excellent tips to get serious about achieving goals. But we won’t call them goals or resolutions. In 2012 we are going to build new habits!

First, check out what Matt Cutts has to say about this and how he did it. It was our first point of inspiration:

And now a brief commercial in 3 words: TED VIDEOS ROCK! ….Now back to Generacion Latina…

But we disagree with Matt.

What?! Yes, you heard it right. We disagree and think that 21 (not 30 days) is the magic number.

Why 21 days?

Look it up! It takes 21 days to build a habit.

Thanks to this other great blog, we’ll show you why:

–> It is manageable

–> No commitment required

–> Highly effective in getting good habits in place

–> Great way to try new things

Remember:

Be realistic. You’re not going to lose weight by sitting on the couch all afternoon; you’re not going to get your GPA up to a 4.0 overnight. Start small. Maybe it’s: stop biting your nails or read and meditate for 15 minutes a day or shower in half the time and waste less water in 21 days.

Start now; give yourself something to look forward to. Attract whatever you can this month for an unforgettable year, make this YOUR year. You can do whatever you set your mind to; all you have to do is make an attempt.

It won’t be easy, but it certainly won’t be impossible… Break a habit, make a change. Improve your lifestyle. You won’t regret it, that’s a promise!

Ven a la reunión informativa en el Student Services Building ubicado en Takoma Park/Silver Spring este Miércoles 7 de Diciembre a las 5:30pm y ahorre $25 al someter tu solicitud.

Para mas información, contacte a Gloria Bonilla al (240) 567-3961.

First things first- It will be packed as previous years so GET YOUR TICKETS ASAP-  They’re available Here

You won’t want to miss this so invite your friends and family to witness young Latino dancers take it up a notch (or two) at none other than the prestigious Strathmore stage.

For the second consecutive year, students will face each other and leave their souls on stage as they compete in eight different divisions.   After countless hours of practice, emotional highs and lows, eight teams representing MCPS high schools, parents and alumni will gather for a night that promises to exceed all expectations.

About the event: 

Monday, November 28 at 7pm

12th Annual MCPS Latin Dance Competition

The Music Center at Strathmore

10701 Rockville Pike

North Bethesda, MD 20852

For more information about the After School Dance Fund to help promote cross-cultural awareness, visit http://afterschooldancefund.org/

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s LOFT Institute in partnership with AT&T, cordially invite you to the 2011 LOFT Technology Seminar on Friday, November 18th, 2011.

AT&T Innovation Center
1133 21st Street, NW
2nd floor
Washington, D.C.

10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

This is an exciting opportunity for LOFT members, in high school and college, to network with AT&T professionals and learn about the diverse career opportunities available within the Technology Industry. Come prepared to engage in a dynamic dialogue led by Latino and minority leaders in Marketing, Public Affairs and of course, Technology.

A tour of AT&T’s Innovation Center will follow the discussion.

Seating is limited, please RSVP promptly at the following link: http://bit.ly/pDHH3J Attendees will receive an event confirmation via email.

Dress code: business casual. Lunch will be provided.

Tentative Agenda
· 9:45 am Student Arrival
· 10:00 am Welcome by AT& T
· 10:05 – 10: 35 am Opening remarks by AT&T
· 10:35 – 12:00 pm LOFT Leadership training
· 12:00 – 1:45 pm *Lunch and AT&T Departmental Panel
· 1:45 – 2:00pm Break
· 2:00 – 2:40pm HHF Speaker
· 2:40– 3:10pm AT&T Closing Speaker
· 3:10 – 3:30 pm Tour of Innovation Center
· 3:30 pm Student Departure

*Sessions marked with an * will be live broad-casted from the NYC Innovation Center.

LOFT released numerous opportunities for paid internships in 2012 with The Hershey Company

If you decide to apply for a position, be sure to list LOFT as your reference.

Compensation: Sophomore: $15.50 Junior: $17.00 Senior: $18.70 depending on qualifications

FINANCE DEPARTMENT
· Internal Audit Business Internships Summer 2012 - Apply here
The intern will assist with financial and business process control audits performed throughout the Company. Financial/operational audit assignments would likely include the review of controls and procedures in place within manufacturing facilities, finished goods warehouses, and business processes such as procurement, trade promotion spending, credit and accounts receivable and cash management. The candidate would work extensively with SAP and other information technology systems utilized by the Company.

IT DEPARTMENT – interviewing candidates across all positions and will consider each candidate for all roles

· IT Internship – Business Applications Development - Apply here
Spring/Summer 2012. The Business Applications Development Intern will participate in support, development, and testing of web based applications using emerging technology platforms from IBM, Business Objects, SAP and Adobe. The student will collaborate with IT colleagues to document user requirements, and participate in the solution development and testing. Technologies utilized include Java, Web services, .Net, Web 2.0, and Adobe Flash.

· IT Internship – Client Technologies – Apply here
Spring/Summer 2012. The Client Technologies Intern/Co-Op will participate in support, development, and testing of web based applications using emerging technology platforms from IBM, Business Objects, SAP and Adobe. The student will collaborate with IT colleagues to document user requirements, and participate in the solution development and testing. Technologies utilized include Java, Web services, .Net, Web 2.0, and Adobe Flash.

· IT Internship – SAP Basis and Security – Apply here
Spring/Summer 2012. The student, under direct supervision, will participate in support of SAP infrastructure applications using existing and emerging technology platforms. The student will collaborate with IT colleagues to understand and document SAP Basis and Security processes and procedures, and perform routine tasks required to support technical system administration of the SAP landscape. Landscapes cover the Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, Sales and HR application areas.

· IT Internship – Server Administration - Apply here
Spring/Summer 2012. The student, under direct supervision, will participate in the support, development, testing and deployment of server infrastructure. The student will collaborate with IT colleagues to resolve operational issues, deploy hardware, troubleshoot and recommend solutions, handle user issues, deploy operating system patches, complete file backups and restores as well as participate in standard day to day server administration activities. Opportunities exist in both MS Windows and UNIX/Linux server administration areas.

· IT Internship – Voice/Data Network Technology – Apply here
Spring/Summer 2012. The Voice/Data Network Technology Intern/Co-Op participates in the implementation and support of voice and/or data networking technologies.

If you decide to apply for a position, be sure to list LOFT as your reference.*

Join the LOFT Network where you can include your academic and career preferences and receive more customized opportunities. The LOFT Network consists of industry and regional fellows and advisors, former Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards recipients, and participants of other leadership and industry-specific programs.
LOFT Network: http://loftnetwork.org

Opportunities available through the LOFT program are for Hispanic students only.
Others interested should contact the company website directly.

Watch the trailer here:

More details on the premier will be released at a later time.

But until then, check out these awesome photos kindly provided by Titanes Salseros’ Paula Pero.

For more videos, don’t forget to visit our GL YouTube page.

Google Engineering Practicum Internship

Google is invested in increasing the pipeline of future computer scientists and software developers, particularly those who are historically underrepresented in the field. Many aspiring computer scientists could benefit from a program that bridges the gap between academic study and a professional internship. With this in mind, Google announces the fourth year of the Engineering Practicum internship program [formerly known as BOLD Practicum] for Summer 2012.

Engineering Practicum is a full-length, paid, summer software engineering internship. Students work on production-level projects in a team environment, attend training to enhance their technical and professional skills, and receive mentorship from Google engineers.

The program is open to all qualified current college sophomores, and is committed to addressing diversity in the field of Computer Science. Students who are a member of a group that is historically underrepresented in the technology industry are encouraged to apply.

Please visit www.google.com/jobs/engpracticum for more information and to apply today! The deadline to apply is October 15, 2011. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at eng-practicum-questions@google.com.

Hosted by Generacion Latina’s Carolina Peña | Con la animacion de Carolina Peña