Over 240 Latina students from area schools attend the “success session” at the University of Texas at Dallas.
[PHOTO BY SCOTT PEEK PHOTOGRAPHY, STUDENT ATTENDEES WITH JUDGE DOMINIQUE TORRES AND PALOMA ALVARADO CENTER]
DALLAS, TX – [February 22, 2023] – Yesterday, The Compelling Why (CW), a Dallas area nonprofit, hosted it’s 50th “success session” with featured panel speaker Dallas County Criminal Court No. 4 judge, the Honorable Dominque Torres. Hosted at Richardson-based University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) Judge Torres was joined by Paloma Alvarado, Partner, New York Life, for the 2023 Winter seminar attended by over 240 Latina students from Richardson Independent School District, Uplift Education, Cityscape Schools and KIPP DFW public charter schools.
Founded in 2010 by Torrence Robinson, CW is a Dallas area nonprofit focusing on motivating under-served minority Dallas area students to find their passion by identifying their “compelling why.” Organizational programming also aims to increase the number of students enrolled in academic and life skill enrichment by increasing their perceived value of education; encouraging personal responsibility; and igniting the intrinsic motivation to maximize their potential.
Judge Torres kicked off her remarks by recalling her time growing up as a young mixed Mexican and Black American woman in the southern sector of Dallas attending afterschool programs. “Growing up, I was often told that I didn’t belong,” said Judge Torres. “But my time with afterschool programs such as Girls Inc. provided me with a physically and emotionally safe space, where I learned the power of my voice, equipping me with the tools to drown out the noise and thrive.”
“As co-chair of Latinas in Progress, a high school mentoring program of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (DFW), I am emotionally invested in increasing opportunities and access for Latinas through education,” said Paloma Alvarado. “I know the value of seeing yourself in your mentors.”
Following the panel, students participated in a Q&A where they shared their own experiences, coupled with an interactive curriculum-based trivia game and visited with representatives from nonprofit Design, Connect, Create, UT Dallas, and a continuing education and training organization.
“Today, these young women walked away with a better understanding of the actions needed to maximize their educational and life opportunities,” said Robinson. “After attending our seminars students often return to campus energized; this vigor keeps our number of area school partners growing and returning year after year.”
For more information on the CW visit: www.thecompellingwhy.org
