For approximately 400 Latina students representing all MCPS high schools, the fifth annual Latina Legacy Conference offered more than a day of workshops and conversations about leadership. It brought together young women whose backgrounds and experiences were different, but who found common ground in the challenges they face, the aspirations they share, and the support they can offer one another.
Held Oct. 30 under the theme “Raíces & Rising: Honoring Our Roots. Shaping Our Future,” the conference created an opportunity for students to connect with peers beyond their individual schools and recognize the strength of a larger community.
“I feel very connected to everyone in a special way,” said Madison, a senior at Wheaton High School. “I feel empowered to be around other Latinas who face the same struggles as me. Though they might not be exact, they are very parallel.”
For students navigating different cultures, languages, family expectations and personal experiences, being surrounded by hundreds of other young Latinas offered an opportunity to recognize similarities across their individual journeys.
Nicole Morales, a senior at James Hubert Blake High School, described the sense of connection she experienced.
“We’re in a safe space. Everyone speaks Spanish, everyone looks like us,” Morales said. “It’s a really nice and safe community that I felt today.”
Morales, who hopes to pursue a career in politics and public service, also spoke about the importance of becoming part of a generation that advocates for Hispanic communities.
Creating the Connections She Once Needed
The Latina Legacy Conference was founded five years ago by Dr. Sofía Grant-Dewitt, principal of Gaithersburg Middle School, following her doctoral research on Latinas in leadership.
Her vision grew from a challenge she had experienced personally: the need for greater mentorship and representation.
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“One of the things that I really did face, and I think a lot of us as Latinas face, is that we don’t have enough mentorship,” Grant-Dewitt said. “I wanted to make sure that no other Latina student experienced what I did when I was younger.”
What began as an effort to connect young Latinas with mentors and role models has grown into an annual gathering that brings together students, educators, community partners and Latina leaders.
Through the conference, students can learn from women who have pursued different professional paths, explore educational opportunities, and develop connections that may help guide their futures.
Turning Connection Into Opportunity
For Darling Castillo, a sophomore at Wheaton High School, the conference expanded her understanding of what could come after graduation.
“I learned that going straight to work after high school isn’t my only option. I also have the opportunity to go to college, and there are many programs available to help me achieve those goals,” Castillo said.
Her experience illustrates another important purpose of the conference: helping students recognize opportunities they may not have previously considered.
Through workshops and conversations with educators and community partners, participants explored higher education, scholarships, financial aid, leadership and self-advocacy.
Montgomery College, a conference partner since its second year, has helped connect students with information about college pathways and financial assistance, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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The event also featured student performances, celebrating the talents and cultural identities represented across MCPS.
Building a Legacy of Support
Grace Rivera-Oven, president of the Montgomery County Board of Education, encouraged students to recognize the importance of supporting one another, regardless of differences in background or experience.
“We all need to be supportive of each other,” Rivera-Oven said. “The moment that we truly become united, that is going to be very powerful.”
An immigrant and former MCPS student herself, Rivera-Oven emphasized that leadership also means creating opportunities for those who follow.
“The most important thing is that this group will be able to open doors of opportunity and support for those who come after them,” she said.
Grant-Dewitt hopes the connections formed at the conference will continue beyond the annual event. Her long-term vision includes strengthening mentorship opportunities throughout the year and expanding the initiative to reach middle and elementary school students.
For a school system where Hispanic and Latino students represent more than one-third of enrollment, initiatives like the Latina Legacy Conference offer opportunities to strengthen representation, mentorship and student engagement.
And while the nearly 400 young women who gathered may follow different paths, the conference offered a reminder that they do not have to pursue their aspirations alone.
As Grant-Dewitt told participants: “In every language, you matter. Every Latina has a place here in America. Every Latina has a place in Montgomery County, and we’re here to stay.”
Read the original article at mcps
