SOLEDAD — The Avanza Network wrapped up its 10th annual conference in the Salinas Valley last month after visiting 25 middle and high schools across Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, including several in South Monterey County.
The all-volunteer nonprofit, founded in 2011 by Mexican-American alumni of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and friends, focuses on promoting higher education in underserved communities. During the Feb. 19-20 school outreach, presenters reached more than 4,500 students through classroom visits, assemblies and interactive discussions aimed at demystifying the path to a college degree.
In South Monterey County, Avanza members visited Gonzales, Soledad and Greenfield high schools, as well as Pinnacles High School in Soledad and Vista Verde Middle School in Greenfield. Speakers shared stories of motivation, aspirations and achieving big dreams, inspiring students to pursue higher education.
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla spoke at Soledad High School on the morning of Feb. 20, joined by Avanza co-founder Frances Pinedo, who grew up in Soledad. The pair addressed the entire student body, totaling about 1,450 students.
“The Salinas Valley is home to incredible talent and resilience,” Padilla said. “When students see people from communities like theirs succeed through education, it sends a powerful message: college is possible, and their futures are worth investing in.”
Avanza’s outreach targets students in economically challenged areas, many of whom are the first in their families to consider higher education. The organization also distributed copies of its Avanza book series, which features personal stories from members describing their diverse paths to college and professional careers.
Ernesto Vela, Monterey County assistant superintendent of student services, emphasized the importance of early preparation.
“In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, it’s more important than ever for students to start preparing early and aiming high,” Vela said. “These students have the talent, grit and drive to succeed — we want to make sure they have the information, encouragement and role models to help them get there.”
In addition to school visits that Thursday and Friday, Avanza hosted a Saturday morning event on Feb. 21 for students and parents at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas.
Rene Gonzalez, co-founder of Avanza Network, said the conference marked one of the organization’s largest regional outreach efforts to date.
“The event was a fantastic success. We visited 25 schools and talked to over 4,500 students — 1,450 of those were in Soledad High School, where Sen. Alex Padilla and Frances Pinedo talked to the entire school. We had great support from the local school administrators, politicians and parents. Beautiful hospitality,” Gonzalez said.
Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez also attended the event, along with members of the Soledad City Council. Posting on social media afterward, Velazquez wrote, “What an honor to welcome U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and a group of incredible MIT graduates to our community today! We were especially proud to recognize one of our very own, Frances Pineda, whose journey is a powerful reminder of what is possible when hard work, determination and education come together. This visit is an inspiration for our youth and families, proof that dreams that begin in Soledad can reach the highest places.”
Avanza Network has hosted conferences in cities across the United States, reaching thousands of students nationwide as it works to expand educational opportunity and highlight diverse academic and career pathways, including STEAM fields. For more information about the organization, visit avanzanetwork.org.
