Lorenzo Gamboa, who is now a college adviser at Santa Clara University, recounted his painful childhood to a packed house at Cabrillo Crocker Theater. Both shame and embarrassment about his ethnicity were part of his daily life growing up and he urged the students in the crowd to take pride in their heritage rather than let it affect them and their academic goals.

Gamboa understands the challenges students like him will face when trying to attain a higher education, and uses this knowledge in his job when helping students with similar backgrounds. He along with seven other speakers were part of the lineup at the eighth annual Latino Role Model Conference attended by 500 middle school- through college students and parents who heard speeches at Crocker Theater.

“I’m excited to see Latino people on stage, and to have that connection to our culture, and be inspired by them,” said Margarito Rodriguez, a Cabrillo College student who is an employee at the Office of Equity.

Some of the focus was on younger students, who might face the same embarrassment and pressure that Gamboa said he faced.

“We want to show students from middle schools and high schools that it is possible to get into higher education,” said Yoselin Machado who came to represent Hermana Unidas a UCSC club. “They’re here today to get exposed to professionals, who are Latino, to inspire them.”

Senderos, which means pathways in Spanish, is the non-profit that put on the event. Senderos aims to teach Latino culture and history as well as creating a college-going culture within their community. Their goal of the Latino Role Model Conference is to inspire students to achieve their dreams of college and career.

“This conference is impactful for Latino students, most of whom will be first in their families to attend college, ” said Carolyn Coleman one of the event organizers.

“Hearing from Latino professionals and current college students who share their personal stories is motivating and inspirational and helps them imagine a successful pathway to achieve their dreams.”

Two Cabrillo students took the stage to give what words of wisdom they had learned in there time at Cabrillo. Sisters Christina and Valeria Che urged parents to be understanding and supportive of their children’s issues and commented on how parents discipline can sometimes get in the way of students learning when struggling in school. Speaking in a mixture of English and Spanish, they were able to relate to the crowd using a bit of humor here and there and by speaking directly to the struggles of Latino students trying to find their place in the academic system.

“The children listen to these speakers and share similar struggles, hardships, and seeing how far they have made it drives them to pursue college,” said Lorena Rocha, a member of the Cabrillo club Puente, which means bridge in Spanish.

After the conference, the atmosphere was one of optimism as the group crowded around the outside of the Crocker Theater. Volunteers held signs that directed people to meet up with the leaders of the workshop they were most interested in.

“I’ve asked myself, Can I do it? Can I afford college?” asked Lindsey Aquino-Robles. “Especially coming from a single-parent low-income household. Now, I’ve met people who have had harder circumstances that did what I’ve dreamed of, and it’s reassured me that there is nothing that can stop me from doing anything.”

The informational workshops offered after the speakers ranged from a demonstration on getting financial aid and college budgeting, to information and resources for undocumented students.

“ I’ve been inspired after meeting these leaders, and now know that with all of my sacrifices, I will become someone in this world,” said Aquino-Robles. “One day, I will help someone on their path to college as well.”