Workshop Helps Migrant Students Set Goals and Achieve

By: Rowena Li - Email

Updated: Sat 9:53 PM, Sep 08, 2012

"If I can do it, you can do it, too. Anyone who has potential, determination, motivation and self-confidence will get to where they want to be."

That's the message University of Nebraska-Kearney student Miguel Baeza wants to give to other migrant students like himself. Baeza was among the many speakers at the 2012 Migrant Institute at Central Community College on Saturday.

"There will be struggles along the way, but as long as both parents and students have a good family relationship and they both have support for each other, the student will be successful and they'll reach their highest potential," Baeza says.

The one-day program is put on by Grand Island Public Schools and aims to help migrant students set education and career goals and provides them with the resources to achieve their goals.

Organizers and students say one of the biggest issues is getting parents on the same page.

"We've had a lot of talks, we talk about what I want to be and how am I going to make that goal, but we never really talk about if I want to go to college, what college I want to go, and how we're going to pay," says high school sophomore Oscar Marquez.

To help remedy the problem, Saturday's program also featured sessions to help parents understand the higher education process.

"If we could get the parents and students both at the same level of understanding, they'll be successful, there's no doubt about it," says Baeza.

And for students like Marquez, first-hand accounts from those who have walked the same paths are helping them see the endless opportunities available when they take education seriously.

"It gives me hope that just because you're from another country doesn't mean you can't progress in this country," says Marquez.

Heineman Vetoes $44.6M From State Budget