Students, Parents Head to Nation's Capital for GEAR UP Conference

Participants get a national perspective on program

WASHINGTON - GEAR UP students and parents from the Valley headed to Washington D.C. for a national conference.

Melissa Lopez, the Region One Education Specialist, says, "Our students and parents had the opportunity to come to this national conference and it gives them the opportunity, to give them a national perspective of just how big GEAR UP is. They see that it's across the country and that college access really is for everyone."

Parents attended different sessions. They'll take the information back to their hometowns.

Congressman Ruben Hinojosa is the man who has helped make GEAR UP a reality in the Valley. He talked to the kids and parents in the nation's capital.

He said, "The most successful students that we have are those who have parents who are involved in their education."