CBC TRiO students attend annual leadership conference

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CBC’s TRiO programs took 12 students to the Texas Association of Student Special Services Programs’ (TASSSP) 16^th Annual Student Leadership Conference held this past summer: (Back Row, L to R) Demetrio Barrera Jr. of Karnes City, Clarissa Ibarra of Beeville, Matthew Contreras of Beeville, Upward Bound Academic Advisor Amanda Ramirez, Oscar Castillo of Odem, Devin Mendoza of Mathis, Alyssa Kelley of George West (Front Row, L to R) Marivel Moreno of Beeville, Cayla Cook of George West, Marivel Posada of Beeville, Heaven Rodriguez of Beeville, and Esmeralda Tapia of Beeville.

What defines a leader? TRiO students from Coastal Bend College were asked just that while attending the Texas Association of Student Special Services Programs’ (TASSSP) 16^th Annual Student Leadership Conference held this past summer. Eleven students from the Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs traveled to the University of North Texas in Denton, TX to participate in the event geared to promote leadership qualities and develop communication skills.

The conference featured team building activities and inspirational keynote speakers, as well as informative sessions on scholarship essay writing. Following the presentation, students vied for one of 78 scholarships the conference offered by writing their own essays. Demetrio Barrera Jr. of Karnes City, Oscar Castillo of Odem, Cayla Cook of George West, Alyssa Kelley of George West, Clarissa Ibarra of Beeville, and Heaven Rodriguez of Beeville each won $100 scholarships to be used at the institution of their choice.

The conference also hosted a college fair, which featured various institutions across the state, including Baylor, Texas Tech, and Texas State Universities. Advisors were on hand to offer information regarding specific degree plans and transfer guidelines.

Additionally, students experienced a brief taste of college life while staying in the dorms and dining at the campus cafeteria. In honor of the TRiO program’s 50^th anniversary, students ended the conference with a 60’s themed dance, honoring the decade in which TRiO was founded.

All of the TRIO Programs are federally funded under the direction of the Department of Education. For more information please contact the CBC TRiO Office at (361) 354-2706.