Sixteen Auburn School District Latino Educational Achievement Project (LEAP) students recently joined approximately 500 students from around the state for the 14th annual LEAP Education Conference and Legislative Day.

At the two-day conference, students had the opportunity to attend educational workshops, learn about educational programs and resources, investigate college opportunities, meet and network with Latino role models and participate in a culture night that included dinner and dancing.

They also went to Olympia and met state Rep. Cathy Dahlquist and state Sen. Pam Roach and took a guided tour of the State Supreme Court with Justice Steven Gonzalez. They had the opportunity to discuss issues facing Latino students with the elected officials.

“It was really motivating and inspiring,” said Erandy Flores, a Mt. Baker seventh-grader. “The keynote speakers showed it is possible to make it through college, even if it’s a thousand times harder for Latino students.”

LEAP is an after-school club that meets at Mt. Baker Middle School. Club members assisted in giving tours to elementary students and families during the fifth grade rollup night, presented to the Auburn School Board last year and volunteered at Gildo Rey during the summer school program.