El Monte High School Hosts HENAAC™ Seminar
by Anne Donofrio-Holter
4/11/11
El Monte High School welcomed more than 400 students district-wide when it hosted a recent HENAAC™ seminar to motivate students and raise their interest in the fields of science, math and engineering.
"Events such as this can help our students realize that college isn't just a dream, but can be a reality," said El Monte High School principal Keith Richardson. "It is something each of them can strive for and achieve with a little hard work and perseverance."
Students had an opportunity to hear from several speakers representing Verizon Wireless on careers in the communications industry.
"We're learning about engineering and it's fun," said one student. "I think I'm going to consider studying engineering in college."
Following the speakers' presentations, students participated in an educational Jeopardy game with categories ranging from math and science to telecommunications and world landmarks.
"It was a close game, but Arroyo High School won with El Monte coming in a close third," said Richardson.
Prizes for the winners included Target gift cards, cameras, iPods, Wii video games and a laptop.
Non-winning contestants also received a Target gift card and all students in attendance received a Verizon knap pack, t-shirts and magazines.
Arroyo High School student Andrew Ruiz was the winner of the laptop.
A luncheon followed which included a performance by the El Monte High School A Cappella choir and presentation of HENAAC™ goodie bags to the guest speakers.
"Hopefully this opportunity afforded to the students will inspire them to pursue a career outside the typical sphere of influence in which they find themselves," said Richardson.
Many students stated they found the event very interesting and are also now considering a career in the science and engineering fields.
HENAAC™ is a non-profit organization promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.