Education/Youth

LATINX VOCES: Texas Tech staff and community members joined to learn about the Latinx Task Force - the health branch of Latinx Voces, LLC that aims to bridge a health and information gap through collaboration for Latinx communities. Partnership with local, state, and national Latinx-serving and allied organizations is core to the work of the Task Force hence the visit to Lubbock.

Get vaccinated! ¡Vacunarse! ¡Si Se Puede! First Generation, First Cousins Graduate from SPC

BY South Plains College FOR LATINO LUBBOCK MAGAZINE

When twin sisters Deanne (Jose) Calderon and Krystal (Victor) Saenz grew up, they shared a special bond and a huge connection to their families. At that time, the twins didn’t know that the stars had aligned to bring their daughters, Adamari Calderon and Bianca Saenz, to a special day in their family's history. Adamari Calderon, 19, and Bianca Saenz, 18, will walk across the stage during the 64th annual South Plains College Commencement Ceremony on May 13 (Friday) in the Texan Dome. Calderon will take part in the morning ceremony at 9:30 a.m., where she will receive her Associate of Arts in Psychology. Saenz will participate in the afternoon ceremony at 1 p.m., where she will receive her Associate of Science. Although the graduation ceremony is a milestone itself, for Saenz, it will be doubly special. Currently, she is a senior at Whitharral High School and Valedictorian of the Class of 2022. She will earn her associate’s degree before she graduates from high school on May 20. She has already been accepted into the Engineering Program at Texas Tech University, where she plans to study Chemical Engineering in Fall 2022. "I’ve worked really hard, and I especially thank my parents for making me responsible enough to handle the dual credit courses and high school at the same time," Saenz said. "I chose to pursue chemical engineering because I see myself as a bit of an environmentalist. Also, I want my hard work to lead somewhere. Simply put, I plan to make daily life more sustainable and less wasteful." Calderon supports her cousin’s quest because they share so many "firsts." Both students are firstgeneration college students and the first ones in their families to graduate from college. She was accepted into Texas Tech, and she will be an undergrad studying clinical psychology. Saenz credits her academic achievement to her parents who provided extra study activities be-

yond what the school provided. She used those activities to learn how to work harder as a student. "In my future, I want to become stable and successful in my career," Saenz said. "I want to give back to my parents for all of the support they’ve shown me.” Calderon also credits her family for her success academically. She said she wants to become financially stable and live a happy life. "The older I get, I realize the sacrifices and all they’ve done throughout our lives," said Calderon. "We have had a really good circle of relatives around us. And this is just the beginning." 2022 Summer Reading at Lubbock

Public Library Announced

The Lubbock Public Library invites you to dive into summer reading from May 31- July 31. This year the theme is “Oceans of Possibilities”. We will have FREE activities for all ages, all summer long. Some activities include: crafts, movie nights, Nerf wars, musicians, laser tag, and many more. Plus, we are excited to offer an incredible slate of programs just for adults including: women’s selfdefense classes, an adult comedy night, crafts, gardening tips and a line dancing class. The 2022 Summer Reading Program is open to all ages with activities, weekly prize drawings, storytimes, a reading challenge, and more. To participate in the reading challenge, visit lubbock.readsquared.com or download the READsquared App. No library card is required to participate! For those participating in READsquared, we will have some incredible prizes including: • PlayStation 5 Consoles • Oculus Virtual Reality Headsets • $100 United Supermarkets Gift Cards • STEM Activity Kits • Gift Cards to Local Businesses • And More!

For a full schedule of our free activities, check out our 2022 Summer Reading Program Guide on our website or pick up a copy at your local library. Registration for “Oceans of Possibilities” begins on May 31. For more information, visit https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/library/ summer-reading-2022

Youth Opportunities

NOTE Additional events can be found at Latino Lubbock Magazine's Online Calendar at www. latinolubbock.net/events

LCT'S YOUTH ARTIST GUILD SUMMER CAMP

Sign up your kids for an assortment of offerings for ages 7-11 and 12-18 from acting, singing, dancing, prop-making, filmmaking, make-up, podcasting and so much more. Dates: June 6th-July 29 $80 per session. View class schedules and get registered at https://bit.ly/yagsummercamp

TOMORROW’S LEADERS 1ST

REUNION All TL’s participants since 2009 are invited to our annual reunion event, Sat. June 11, from 12 to 5 p.m., at 1019 1st Place. They'll have: • Hamburgers and Hotdogs • Health Fair • Fun and Games. For more info call http://www.buildingstrongleaders.org

NATIONAL RANCHING HERITAGE CENTER OFFERS SUM-

MER YOUTH CLASSES Children who have completed first through fifth grade will have unique opportunities for summer activities through Texas Tech University’s National Ranching Heritage Center (NRHC). The Summer Youth Classes will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 13-17. To register, visit ranchingheritage.org

PLANET FITNESS' HIGH

SCHOOL SUMMER PASS is live! Teens 14-19 can work out for free all summer long, and one teen in each state will be awarded a $500 scholarship.

LUBBOCK YOUTH LEADER-

SHIP (LYLA) invites students ages 8-17 years to participate in a variety of engaging, very fun summer activities and volunteer service! Select events according to interests from art to reading to the community to music to sports and more! To sign up, please text YOUTH to 806-535-5437 for registration details! OPEN FITNESS Avoid the unpredictable weather of high winds and too hot temperatures. Use our fitness equipment to get fit! Treadmill, bikes and more! Ages 13+ (13-16 yrs. needs guardian) 3 p.m., M-F at the Trejo Center. Free. TEEN HELP: Catholic Charities offers FREE help for youth up to 17 years old struggling with negative behaviors, loss of self-respect, bullying, etc. Parents may call 1-800-530-4704 and make a confidential appointment.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Submit your story online at www.lati-

Summer Lunch Programs to be Available Citywide

With summer comes an often unpublicized recurring problem: many children in Lubbock, primarily fed by schools, will go hungry while classes are out. Here are somesummer lunch programs: THE YWCA- Free meal programs at 62nd and Elgin. Call (806) 792-2723 for more information. LUBBOCK BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB is set up to feed members. Memberships are available annually. A full day includes breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Free if you live in 79415 district. Call (806) 792-2880 for more information. SOUTH PLAINS FOOD BANK- Kids Café: free meals throughout summer at various locations. To find a location near you, please call (806) 763-3032 or visit www.spfb.org. LISD - free breakfast and lunch for kids June 6 - July 28th . Call (806)766-1000 for more information. FRENSHIP ISD thru July 29, children can receive a free lunch each day, Mon.- Fri. at Frenship High School Soccer Complex, 702 Donald Preston Dr., Wolfforth, from 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.; and Duran Park, 26th Street and Kewanee Ave., LBK, from 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

More details will be posted on Latino Lubbock's Facebook page. Summertime Reading, a Must for Latino Children

It’s summer, a time for kids to relax, visit friends, enjoy the great outdoors, and dive into an exciting, new book. Chances are many children will not read, and research shows children lose one to three months of learning every summer. Prevent this summer learning loss by getting your children excited about reading. Although summer is a time they can relax, reading can also help them unwind. Visit the library. If your child doesn’t have a library card, summer is a great time to sign up. Take advantage of the free, child-friendly summer reading programs, as well as Los Hermanos Familia's

Little Libraries and online library at www.loshermanosfamili.org! When planning summer activities with children, remember to leave some time in their schedules for reading. Some convenient times may be before bedtime or over breakfast. Use books to break the boredom. Without the regular school regimen, adults and kids need more activities to fill the hours. So read aloud, and be a storyteller, tell them about your familia and growing up. Combine summer activities with books, and let them know that reading is an important part of your life.

IN JUNE

· · Celebrate your high school success! · Send thank you notes (if you haven't already) to everyone who helped you this year. · Start planning for college. · Watch college's summer deadlines (orientations, housing options, registration, etc.) closely.

PACK 118 GOES FISHING: Cub Scout Pack 118 met with Master Anglers from Los Hermanos Familia to learn basics of fishing. The Cub Scouts spent the weekend going camping and enjoying the great outdoors! (Photo courtesy of Margie Olivarez)

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Final Call Class of 2022

JULY GRAD ISSUE Submit grad photo along with grad’s name and high school. College grads include name, college, major, and degree. Submit by June 18th, FREE. After the 19th, cost is $25. (No CELL PHONE PHOTOS). Submit online at:

www.latinolubbock.net