The end of June marks the official beginning of summer and the 4th Annual Summer Celebration and Cultural Event.
This year’s celebration will feature Native American Indian dancers, who will be presented by Sam Gallegos, program counselor upward bound at Pueblo Community College. The guest speaker, “Eunice,” is a role model for the Cheyenne people and friend, Gallegos, said.
“She has a vast knowledge on the American Indian west, “Gallegos said. Coming from low income, first generation status, she will speak at the event, pointing out her trials and tribulation that cumulated to her final triumphs as a Native American Woman, Gallegos said. 
Since 2006, every year Trio Alliance has sponsored a summer celebration.
“This year’s celebration is expected to be much larger than last years,” Director of Trio Alliance Student Support Services of Colorado State University-Pueblo, Brenda Trujillo-Aranda said. The CSU-Pueblo Trio Alliance has invited the Southern State Colleges Trio and Upward Bound departments to join the celebration.
Trujillo-Aranda said she is expecting 200 participants; Trinidad State Junior College is bringing 60 of its participating members, Pueblo Community College has two participating programs: the Pueblo Community College Upward Bound and the Pueblo Community College student support services.
Trio Alliance Programs in Pueblo serve 2,478 students, bringing in nearly $2 million to the Pueblo Community each academic year, according to information released by Southern Colorado Educational Opportunity Center.
“This is an opportunity for all the trio programs to meet other trio staff and participants and recognize one individual from each southern Colorado program,” Dan Tafoya, president of Trio Alliance said in a press release.
A student from each program will be recognized as a “Shining Star.” These students are selected for excelling in the program by utilizing trio services and role model students, Interim Instructor Tutor Coordinator of student support services, Maria Nunines said.
“What’s exciting is that students will be able to see what CSU has to offer,” Trujillo-Aranda said. A tour of CSU-Pueblo will be available. Trujillo-Aranda said she has high hopes, especially for incoming transfer students.
The event will be June 26, 2009 from 9a.m. till 4p.m. Trujillo- Aranda said trio will pick up program participants registration fees, R.S.V.P. by June 15, 2009 by calling 719-549-3254 or they can e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].
A fee of $12 dollars for the full day, will include the cultural and recreational activities, and the lunch fee, said Trujillo-Aranda. Lunch fee only will be $7 dollars for non-participating individuals. Everyone is welcome to attend.
