On April 30th, students gathered for Session #5 of the CONNECT Youth Program to celebrate Día del Niño (Day of the Child)—a special tradition in Mexico that honors children of all ages. This meaningful session highlighted the power of education, perseverance, and embracing one’s unique journey.
A total of 32 students attended, including 27 Pedrozzi Young Scholars (PYS) and 5 READY students, for an afternoon filled with inspiring stories, cultural celebration, and fun activities.
Students had the opportunity to hear from several presenters who shared their personal educational and career journeys and reflected on their experiences growing up in different places before building their futures in the United States.
Livermore Vice Mayor Kristie Wang shared her story of immigrating to the United States from Taiwan at the age of seven. She spoke about attending public schools in California and helping her parents navigate daily life by translating and completing forms since they did not speak English. Through hard work and determination, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a Master’s degree from Harvard University. Today, she serves as a political and community leader in Livermore and encouraged students to pursue their goals and remain committed to their dreams.
Junction Avenue School teacher Mildred Hernandez spoke about her aspiration to become an educator. She shared that while she did not initially know the path to becoming a teacher, she began her academic journey at Las Positas College before transferring to Cal State East Bay, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree, and later earned her Master’s degree in Education from San José State University. Her message reminded students that there are many pathways to achieving their goals.
Pedrozzi Young Scholars Manager Maggie Tufts reflected on her own educational journey. Growing up in Los Angeles, her family moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico when she was in fourth grade, where she continued her education and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education. After teaching bilingual education (English–Spanish), she moved to Boston to continue developing as an educator. Today, she supports Pedrozzi Young Scholars students and families as they navigate their own college and career pathways.
To continue the celebration, students participated in a lively dance activity led by members of the Granada High School Dance Team, who taught fun dance moves and engaged students in conversation afterward about their high school experiences.
As part of the Día del Niño tradition, every student took home a goodie bag filled with Mexican treats and toys. Vice Mayor Wang also shared some of her favorite snacks and goodies from Taiwan, adding another meaningful cultural connection to the day.
This final CONNECT Youth Program session was made possible through the continued collaboration of Junction Avenue School, The Pedrozzi Foundation, and The Rotary Club of Livermore. From providing space and after-school snacks to organizing meaningful programming, this partnership created an enriching experience for students and families alike.
Thank you to all presenters, volunteers, and community partners for helping make this CONNECT Youth Program series such a memorable experience for our students.
