A Fort Wayne nonprofit Tuesday continued its effort to ensure Latino students graduate from high school with a plan.
More than 200 students were expected to attend Positive Pathways, a mentoring and career information fair that Latinos Count hosted at Purdue University Fort Wayne, a news release said.
Too many students don’t know what they will do once they finish high school, Executive Director Steve Corona said. His organization encourages them to consider five pathways – college, work, military service, skilled trades and entrepreneurship.
Nearly 50% of Latino students in Allen County immediately enrolled in college following high school graduation in 2023, the most recent year for which information is available from the Indiana Commission of Higher Education. The statewide rate for that demographic was 42%.
Activities at Positive Pathways included small-group discussions with Latino adults willing to share their journey from high school graduation to today, the release said.
“Our vision is to prepare Latino youth for global opportunities,” Corona said in a statement. “We believe the best way students can prepare for the future is to learn more about the options that exist in Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana and from Latinos who have traveled the same path in life.”
The nonprofit held a similar event in November that focused on health care careers. It targeted juniors and seniors who had expressed interest in that industry.
