Forsyth County Community Connection
Dares Latin Youth to Dream

BY BILL VALLADARES

"We dream 24-7—when we're asleep, when we're awake. School, family, the folks we interact with, all give us a framework for our dreams. But in the end it's what you individually decide. If you dream about doing something, you will. Dare to dream."

Pursuing not just any dreams but those dreams that lead to success in life is the message keynote Virgilio Perez Pascoe conveyed to the 10th and 11th graders who participated in Forsyth County Community Connection's Latin Leadership 2007 in April. But dreams are only part of the equation. Pascoe, vice chair, Democratic Party of Georgia, Constituent Groups, explained that dreams are meaningless without action, challenging the students to adhere to four agreements:

1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.

"It makes sense to take control of our lives by agreeing with ourselves to follow the four rules," he said to the students that filled the auditorium at the First Baptist Church of Cumming.

Students participate in the lunch presentation.

Though the day was geared toward students selected by graduation coaches and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers, Pascoe also had a message for the adult community in the room. "We're realizing learning isn't just about transmitting information," he said, pointing out that the Latino population in Forsyth is rapidly increasing. "We need more than new school buildings. School needs to motivate students, teachers, and parents."

Nicole McCoy, executive director of Forsyth County Community Connection, agrees. "We're working diligently to improve the high-school completion rate among this demographic of students," she said. That became evident by all the volunteers from the community who turned out to lead the two breakout sessions and to help serve lunch.

Dunia Lobo, a counselor at Forsyth County Mental Health, connected time to goal-setting in her breakout session. "With no timeframe there is no urgency," she explained. "When your goal is tangible it is attainable." Lobo told students as she drifted between English and Spanish, that the goals they set have to be specific, realistic, measurable, and attainable, and that they need to stay on track to reach their target. "Can I financially attain my goal?" she asked. "If not, I need to work harder for scholarship money. The biggest obstacle that can get in your way are your thoughts."

Lobo shared some of the obstacles she overcame to reach her goals. She told the group how her parents dragged her to the United States from Costa Rica against her will. She had no friends or relatives because she left her support system behind. In school she was picked on because of how she looked-neither white, nor black, nor Asian. "My baggage got big, she said. But I knew I wanted to go to college, so I got assertive, got my own information, and surrounded myself with positive people. After I was married with four children I entered college at age 27."

Eric Tremps

Eric Tremps, who led a decision-making session, had a different story to tell. "You always hear immigrant parents telling their kids they came to this country with a dollar in their pocket," he joked. "Not me. My parents gave me plenty of money to come to America to get an education when I was 17. I wanted to become a pilot, so I came to the best place to learn English—Miami, Florida," he said with a smile. "In three months I squandered my money. I burned it taking out my friends."

Tremps explained that he also burned his freedom to choose, and instead, had a decision to make—go home or stay here. He found a job as a janitor in a big office building that paid $100 every Friday, and by Tuesday he had spent his entire paycheck except for $5. "I was an over-spender, but I finally realized that when you make bad choices you must live with the consequences."

Tremps didn't come to that conclusion by himself. He met a mentor who changed his life, and today he's a global product manager at Hewlett-Packard, returning the favor to the youth in his community.

McCoy later reminded the students that what may be cool today, like drinking and doing drugs, will have long-term repercussions in life. The county and people who support you cared enough about you to put this event together for you," she said. "You don't have to be the best. Just be the best within yourself."

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