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National Convention Highlights Students from Across U.S. in Albuquerque

Julian Paras

KOAT Action 7 News

Aug 2, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

"Our program has given me the opportunity to reach my goal and it's my goal to go to college and improve and our program has given me the opportunity to reach that better," said Ali Sina Elyasee, who is a LNESC student.

 
Originally from Del Norte High School in Albuquerque, he is one of many students that are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the LNESC youth conference. League of United Latin American Citizens President Domingo Garcia said the message is to spread awareness of education and the importance it can have on youth.

"The message is about education, entrepreneurship, job services that we are providing," Garcia said.
 
Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of students had the opportunity to hear from panelists like Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque FBI Raul Bujanda. He emphasized the importance of following through when it comes to education and said the kids they spoke with are full potential.

"If they have that kind of back and forth, that can really start defining what is it that they want to be when they grow up?" Bujanda said.

Garcia said the reason they held the national convention and celebration here is to inspire the kids that live here, and says there's reason to inspire the next generation in a place like this.

"That's why we came to Albuquerque because of the culture, the music, the food, the history," Garcia said.

The students part of this program understand success isn't given.

"You have to try for it, and of course, we need some help to reach that goal," Elyasee said.

And they have this program to thank for as they reach for those goals. Nearly 200 students attended the national event at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Read the full article here.