Elevate Youth and Career Summit inspires career and college readiness for high school students
For junior and senior high school students, there is nothing more important than looking ahead and planning for life after graduation day. To empower Arizona high schoolers as they look toward their bright futures, Access ASU hosted an engaging “Elevate: Youth Career & Leadership Summit” event at Arizona State University’s West Valley campus, which gave students a day to focus on career and college readiness, leadership and entrepreneurship.
“The most important thing I learned was believing in myself, not limiting myself by having restrictions that I mentally put on myself,” Maria Paredes, a senior at Glenview College Prep High School, said. “It has been really inspiring, because usually I'm not one to really listen to other people, but listening to other people here, listening to their stories, really motivates me to be able to pursue my dreams and not give up.”
Elevate gave high school students like Paredes the opportunity to hear uplifting stories from a multitude of distinct speakers from different backgrounds, including Dr. Velma Trayham, president and CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona, who kicked off the event as the keynote speaker.
“I believe that many of you are leaders, if not all of you that are sitting in this room, you all are leaders.” Dr. Trayham said as she addressed the room full of nearly 400 high school students. “You all possess what is needed to change the trajectory of not only your life, but the lives of the people that are around you.”
Dr. Trayham’s son, King Mauni Harris, an 8th grade student at Monte Vista Elementary, attended Elevate in support of his mom, who he says inspires him on a regular basis.
“The speakers I've been listening to, I write notes and some of the quotes I've heard from them, I've heard before from my mother,” Harris said. “I basically just feed on those quotes and I use that toward everything I do, like school, use that toward football, use that toward entrepreneurship.”
Dr. Sharon Smith, vice president of outreach at ASU and executive board member of the Black Chamber of Arizona, emphasized the critical role of collaboration in youth empowerment.
"ASU is honored to co-present the Elevate Youth Summit and provide a space where students can envision and pursue future careers," Smith said. "This summit exemplifies our dedication to access, inclusion, and community partnerships that elevate educational outcomes and leadership pathways for all youth.”
Beyond the inspiring keynote, students were rotated through different stations to learn about important topics like choosing your college major, getting started with credit and what it takes to start your own business.
A panel of Phoenix leaders, including representatives from Cox Communications, Finance Therapy Group, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, BrightPath Labs, University of Phoenix, Bank of America and Companion Insurance, shared their wisdom with the group and invited students to ask their burning questions.
Guadalupe Camacho, a senior at Glenview College Prep High School, said that the day’s event helped her visualize her dream future career as a pediatrician.
“I learned how to manage stress and anxiety and to believe in myself,” Camacho said. “This event was important to me because I learned new things and how to do better in my life.”
Camacho’s Spanish teacher, Ms. Stephanie Palacios, said that the event helped get students out of their comfort zone and gave them a starting point as they make their transition into post-high school life.
“The students are able to watch and hear other people, hear stories and stuff that has impacted their lives,” Ms. Palacios said. “You know these seniors are going into their real life soon, so this event provides a way to positively impact and influence them.”
Photography by Jr De Chavez, Macy Kimpland and Kaitlyn Beickel