GEAR UP IV

PREParing the Learners of Today to be the Leaders of Tomorrow

GEAR UP IV RALLY ATTRACTED 10,000
WITH HIGHER EDUCATION FOCUS

To kick off the GEAR UP IV: “Creating a Vision” grant program with their students, the project team decided to bring together nearly 10,000 8th-graders from 19 school districts (spanning almost 15,000 miles across Texas) for the “Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow” Prep Rally. Also serving as a student leadership conference, the big event took place at the Laredo Energy Arena—and the energy level was matched only by the excitement of all in attendance.

The entire GEAR UP IV class of 2017 got to visit with reps from 30 postsecondary institutions and then hear from a compelling group of speakers (from a U.S. Congressman to a cape-clad motivational expert, and a whole lot in between) about the importance of setting goals now as they embark on their journeys to college. The enthusiasm of the crowd was overwhelming, and there’s no doubt that each student boarded their bus home with a huge dose of extra college motivation.

Almost 10,000 local and regional area eighth and 12th graders descended on the Laredo Energy Arena, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 for the historic offering of the first Student Leadership Conference-GEAR UP IV (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Prep Rally.

The high-energy event, dubbed “Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders,” was designed to help prepare teens become engaged in post-secondary education and the opportunities it provides them to move their lives forward.

Organizers hoped that by encouraging the students to “keep the end in mind,” they create a highly motivated and educated workforce to sustain the region’s growth for years to come, explained Dr. Rick Moreno, director of the Texas A&M International University GEAR UP IV program, which is presenting the conference free of charge to GEAR UP participants.

“We believe that ‘Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders’ is the most significant educational event to occur in South Texas that brings the focus of education to the forefront for students and parents, as well as legislators at all levels,” Dr. Moreno said.

“If we are to resolve the employment challenges and build the creative capital needed to fuel our State and country’s economic recovery, we must raise the level of education of the children of South Texas. We must create sustainable systemic educational reform to provide our children with the academic preparation that will ensure them and Texas a brighter future,” he noted.

Keynoting the event was Dr. Debra Saunders-White, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education.

Invited guests included Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo).

The program also included one of the nation’s top motivational speakers and success trainers, Aric Bostick and music by the sensational five-man acapella group MO5AIC (Mosaic).

Students came to Laredo from the following school districts: Alice ISD, Benavides ISD, Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD, Carrizo Springs CISD, Cotulla ISD, Crystal City ISD, Dilley ISD, Eagle Pass ISD, Freer ISD, Jim Hogg County ISD (Hebbronville), Laredo ISD, La Joya ISD, La Pryor ISD, Pearsall ISD, Premont ISD, Orange Grove ISD, San Diego ISD, United ISD (Laredo), Webb CISD (Bruni), and Zapata County ISD. Students from over 35 schools in these school districts attended.

In addition to guest presentations, students had an opportunity to meet with representatives of different colleges and universities to explore programs and opportunities available.