Hundreds Attend 'Si Se Puede' Conference at Lewis

Editor's note: The following is from a press release issued by Lewis University.

Close to 300 students from across the Chicago area were inspired by Ernesto Mejia, the co-founder of CoolSpeak, Oct. 6. at ’s seventh annual Si Se Puede Conference. Mejia was the keynote speaker for the conference, which includes workshops on choosing a college, navigating the financial aid process and motivating students to reach their fullest potential. 

Mejia shared how he is the proud son of Mexican immigrants and a true example of the American dream. As a Latino, Mejia learned to navigate two entirely different worlds and live in two completely different cultures. Although he faced many obstacles along the way, he never gave up and refused to become a part of another statistic. Hard work and never giving up led him to eventually go on to pursue his Lewis University master’s degree in organizational leadership with a focus in Higher Education. 

The Si Se Puede Conference is in the spirit of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, who believed strongly in community empowerment. The conference serves as a beacon of hope for many Latino high school students who would otherwise feel a college degree is not attainable.

Since its inception in 2001, more than 2,800 students have participated in the Si Se Puede Conference.

“Our goal is to inspire each student to firmly believe Si Se Puede (Yes You Can) get a college education regardless of your socio-economic or immigration status," said  Martha Villegas Miranda, coordinator of university ministry outreach and assistant to the director of Multicultural Student Services. "We had over 35 Lewis and JJC student leaders, who serve as role models to the high school students while helping with the conference."

High schools in attendance included: De La Salle Institute – Chicago, Joliet Central High School – Joliet, East Aurora High School – Aurora, Kankakee High School – Kankakee, Maria High School – Chicago, San Miguel Schools Chicago, St. Rita of Cascia High School – Chicago, Thomas Kelly High School – Chicago and Thorton Township High School – Harvey.