Background

• The first annual Hispanic Youth Symposium (HYS) will be held at University of Richmond in Richmond, VA July 16-19, 2008.
• Current high school sophomores and juniors participate in a four day, three night college campus experience where they attend workshops stressing academic achievement, career choices, community service and civic responsibility. Students are mostly first in their families to attend college, with an average 2.5 GPA and in the free or reduce lunch program.
• Six key workshops: Hispanic Heroes, Issues to Action, Realizing the College Dream; Foundations for Personal Success; and Team Building.
• Scholarship competitions in Speech, Talent, Essay and Art ranging from $500 to $2000.  A total of $14K in scholarships awarded.
• For more information on the Richmond Hispanic Youth Symposium please visit:  www.hispanicyouth.org

Volunteer Opportunities

• Transportation chaperones and assistants:  Two chaperones will ride on each bus that will pick up and drop off students from designated locations on Day 1 or Day 4 and assistants will coordinate calls to No Shows.
• Student Registration Assistant: Register student and provide registration materials on Day 1 and Check out student and provide snack and t-shirt on Day 4.
• Timekeepers: Ensure activities, speaker and workshops stay within allotted time.  Day 2 or Day 3 or Day 4
• Guest Registration: Attend registration desk and register all guests and volunteers.  Day 2 or Day 3 or Day 4
• Workshop Assistants:  Provide assistance to the presenter. Day 2 or Day 3 or Day 4.
• CommandCenter Assistant:  Floaters helping with a range of activities. Day 2 or Day 3 or Day 4.
• Hispanic Heroes: Serve as Role Models. Day 2
• Facilitators:  Serve as workshop Facilitators. Day 2
• Judges: Serve as judges in different competitions. Day 2 or Day 3

Effective March 1st, 2008 all Volunteers will need to register at www.hispanicyouth.org/volunteers.php and enter “Referred by Name” in the comment box.

(If you are interested in receiving World Studies internship credit or Passport Points for this opportunity, please also contact Virginia Casanova, casanovavl@vcu.edu or 827-3429.)