BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In March of 2006, at the invitation of Mrs. Martha Peterson,
Carmen Robles came to Harding High School to invite Latino students
to participate in Jovenes de Salud (Youth Health Advocates). This
orgainzation is directed by the Association for Nonsmokers-MN (ANSR)
and supported through a grant from the Minnesota Health Department for
Ramsey and Dakota Counties. ANSR supports clean air initiatives
through policy and community outreach. The Jovenes de Salud
program uses the youth apprenticeship model of combining academics
with hands-on experiences. Jovenes de Salud are youth 9-12th trained
to become Promotores de Salud (Community Health Workers).
Under the direction of Todd Hochman and John Andrastek plus the
leadership of Carmen Robles, the Latino students created Harding's
first Latino "club" - Knight's HEAT (Hispanic Energy All the Time).
HEAT is governed by an elected board. Its mission is to build school
spirit, pursue academic goals and explore careers. HEAT was
instrumental in bringing Nicole Zapata-Lyon to Harding as their
academic liaision. Nicole was introduced to Harding at a conference
where the students were the featured presenters - their passion, pride
and sense of "family" was intoxicating for her and she hasn't left
their side since.
