(Columbia) April 22, 2006 - In the US, only about 40 percent of latinos finish high schools. A competition on Saturday encouraged Latina girls to set their sights on higher education.
Twelve middle and high school girls competed in the Miss Teen Latina Scholarship Competition at the USC law school.
Four girls were awarded scholarships, with the top scholarship for middle schoolers being $350 and $2,000 for high schoolers.
The money will be used for college and educational enrichment programs.
This is the second year the competition has been held by the non -profit organization Leer.
Organizers say it's more than pretty dresses and makeup. They say it's designed to keep these young ladies in school.
As part of the competition, the girls had to write an essay, focus on their education and take part in confidence-building excercises.
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4803109&nav=LXhh
Twelve middle and high school girls competed in the Miss Teen Latina Scholarship Competition at the USC law school.
Four girls were awarded scholarships, with the top scholarship for middle schoolers being $350 and $2,000 for high schoolers.
The money will be used for college and educational enrichment programs.
This is the second year the competition has been held by the non -profit organization Leer.
Organizers say it's more than pretty dresses and makeup. They say it's designed to keep these young ladies in school.
As part of the competition, the girls had to write an essay, focus on their education and take part in confidence-building excercises.
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4803109&nav=LXhh
