OCBC Celebrates Latino Achievement in Education


IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 30, 2012) -

WHAT:
Join Orange County Business Council (OCBC) and community partners at the fourth annual Latino Educational Attainment (LEA) Reception on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at the Discovery Science Center, in honor of Orange County educators, administrators, and parents who have committed to furthering Latino student achievement. Latino students in Orange County account for 69% of all high school drop outs, and have the lowest college eligibility rates, at just 19.8%. LEA works to address these disparities by empowering Latino and other minority parents to take an active role in their children's education.

The Latino Educational Attainment Initiative was founded by Orange County Business Council, United Way of Orange County, Orange County Register, and Orange County Department of Education. LEA is supported by a community-based coalition consisting of the Garden Grove Unified School District, KidWorks, Fullerton Collaborative, CREER, Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and 4th District PTA.

The reception will feature special presentations from parents Felipa and Eva Moralos, Tuyet Mai Nguyen, and Hannah Lim, graduates of LEA, who will share the dramatic impact LEA has had on their children's educational success.

The reception will also feature remarks from Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Assemblyman Jose Solorio, Superintendent Bill Habermehl, Orange County Department of Education, Richard Porras, Regional Vice President, AT&T, and Chair of OCBC's Workforce Development Committee, Tamika Lang, Community Investor, Global Corporate Citizenship, The Boeing Company, and Dr. Heather Huntley, who will share the impact of LEA on the Orange County community over the past seven years. The reception is complimentary and open to the public, but reservations are required.

LEA provides parents with the tools and training needed to guide their children through the education system so they may become eligible for entrance into the university system, ensuring a highly skilled workforce for the future. Resources available to parents include the Ten Educational Commandments for Parents, and The Developmental Assets, which have been distributed to more than 30,000 parents in Orange County. LEA is celebrating its seventh year serving 25 neighborhoods, 115 schools, and over 23,000 parents.

WHO:
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
, 47th District
Assemblyman Jose Solorio, 69th District
Bill Habermehl, Superintendent, Orange County Department of Education
Richard Porras, Regional Vice President, AT&T, and OCBC Chair of Workforce Development
Tamika Lang, Community Investor, Global Corporate Citizenship, The Boeing Company
Dr. Heather Huntley, Consultant
Featured Parents: Felipa and Eva Moralos, Tuyet Mai Nguyen, Hannah Lim

WHERE:
Discovery Science Center
2500 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705

WHEN:
Thursday, May 3, 2012
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

RSVP:
Media interested in attending the LEA Reception should contact Katherine Reedy at kreedy@ocbc.org or 949.794.7221.

To register for the LEA Reception, visit www.ocbc.org/events or contact Leslie Dods at ldods@ocbc.org or 949.794.7241.

About OCBC:
Orange County Business Council is the leading voice of business in Orange County, California. OCBC represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia, to enhance Orange County's economic development and prosperity in order to preserve a high quality of life. In providing a proactive forum for business and supporting organizations, OCBC helps ensure the growth of America's sixth largest county. For more information, visit www.ocbc.org

Contact Information:

CONTACT:
Katherine Reedy
Director of Communications
949.794.7221