Hispanic L.E.A.D. program symbol of success
With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing through Sunday, Oct. 15, Farragut High School graduate Mario Mata’s inspirational story is made possible by Centro Hispano de East Tennessee’s Latinos to Empower Advocate and Dream program.
L.E.A.D. “aims to increase leadership skills, bicultural identity and postsecondary success for Hispanic youth and young adults through mentorship for 14 to 24-year-olds,” according to a press release from Megan Barolet-Fogarty, CHET’s Youth & Family Engagement director.
“A perfect example of this program’s success is Mario Mata, a Pellissippi State Community College student and graduate of Farragut High School,” her release further stated. “In high school, L.E.A.D. provided Mario with a foundation of what to expect in college, took him on college visits and assisted in helping him find scholarships tailored to Hispanic students.”
Moreover, “His experience with L.E.A.D. didn’t end in college,” the release stated. “Mario’s mentors are currently working with him to identify transfer scholarships to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he is hoping to achieve enough financial support to attend business school for free next semester.”
As for sponsorship, “Bank of America Knoxville is proud to have been a small part in helping L.E.A.D. students and leaders succeed through its more than $100,000 in donations,” the release also stated.
