Photo: Carl Steven/WBZ NewsRadio
LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A non-profit in Lynn wants to make sure students in the city are prepared for the next steps of their education.
Latina Center Maria hosted a college fair for high school students in Lynn with several local schools—including Suffolk University, Lesley University, and North Shore Community College—to help students understand what it takes to go to college.
Magalie Torres Rowe, the founder of Latina Center Maria, told WBZ's Carl Stevens she understands the importance of getting a good education because of her own journey—she came to the U.S. from Peru on a scholarship 25 years ago to get her P.h.D.
"Education is the only key that can free people from all types of marginalization," Torres Rowe said.
Abner Lopez is a junior at Lynn Classical and he attended the event hoping to learn more about the journey to get to college.
"I want to be the first person to go to college in my family," Lopez said.
However, the fair is not just for the students. Torres Rowe said the fair also hopes to make sure the student's parents understand what it takes to send a child to college.
"Parents are involved in their kid's decision," she said. "Immigrant parents [may not] know how the educational system works in this country."
Abner Lopez's father Apollinario attended the event with his son and said he supports him on his journey.
"I'm really happy, I'm proud of him," Apollinario Lopez said. "I wish all the good things for him. We never had the opportunity to go to college."
WBZ's Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.
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