Local Students, U of A Staff Attend National Student Leadership Congress

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Delegates from U of A Talent Search programs: (l-r): Jennifer Vicencio, Erick Perea and Kaley Gartrell.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Three students from the University of Arkansas Talent Search programs and three Talent Search staff represented Northwest Arkansas and the university at the 24^th Annual National Student Leadership Congress in Washington, D.C.

Student delegates Erick Perea from Rogers High School, Jennifer Vicencio from Northside High School in Fort Smith and Kaley Gartrell from Cedarville High School were among the 150 rising juniors and seniors from 25 states, Puerto Rico and Guam chosen to attend the Congress.

Xong Lor, Roman Ruiz, and Whitney Srsen, from the Talent Search program in the office of diversity affairs, were among 11 staff members selected nationally to serve as mentors.

The event was held June 8-13 and sponsored by the Council for Opportunity in Education. It brought together students from federal TRIO education programs such as Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, and Talent Search. These programs serve students from low-income families, working to prepare them for college. 

As part of the week’s activities the students went to Capitol Hill to visit their members of Congress and advocate for their TRIO programs.

“TRIO Talent Search is important because it helps low-income and first-generation students get into college,” Vicencio explained. “Even though we are from this background, we have opportunities like everyone else.”

The delegates to the student Congress were chosen based on their leadership potential. They stayed at American University and participated in an interactive diversity workshop, attended a panel discussion on college success, visited Smithsonian Institution museums, went on a historical tour of the capital and attended a play at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

One of the highlights of the week was the Mock Congress, which simulated the legislative process. The students examined current political issues such as gun violence, childhood obesity and immigration and discussed both sides of the issues. After researching the topics, they drafted a bill and debated their position to the full student Congress for a final vote.

“The National Student Leadership Congress gave me a culture shock and an experience I will never forget,” said Gartrell. “It taught me about government and how to be a leader and how to work with others.”

For the mentors, the exciting part was seeing the impact of the week on their students.

“It was amazing to see the students grow during the experience,” said Ruiz. “Students arrived timid not knowing what to expect and left feeling empowered to be leaders in their communities.”

Lor added, “For many of these TRIO students, this was the first time they had flown on an airplane or even traveled outside of their state. This was a life-changing experience for them — learning about national issues, visiting members of Congress and meeting other TRIO students from across the country.”

The week ended with a leadership banquet, featuring a keynote speech from David Johns, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.