Latinos lag behind in college enrollment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs, but one conference sought to encourage a select number of Latino high school juniors and seniors to hone their skills and lead others towards those careers.

Latino students from across the country got fired up for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) college degrees and future careers - as well as being leaders in their communities - at a conference put on by the League of United Latin American Citizens' (LULAC) National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) conference in Washington, D.C.

The 16^th annual youth leadership seminar was hosted for 52 high school juniors and seniors. The program, which generally centers on leadership skills in young Latinos and Latinas, was particularly focused on the importance of STEM education and technology in the lives of Latinos.

As such, several Latino panelists and participants from high tech industries and government organizations attended, including from wireless companies, one of the world's largest Internet technology companies, the automotive industry, the U.S. Army, and members of Congress.

"Technology can deliver economic and education benefits to Latinos of all ages, and we think we added to the students' understanding of the need to get involved in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields," said Richard Roybal, LNESC executive director, according to LNESC's release.

Young Latinos are the fastest growing demographic in U.S. education, but college degree attainment, particularly in STEM fields, has lagged behind white and Asian American demographics. According to a personal testimonial and in-depth article about Hispanic students and STEM education, 20 percent of the student body at high schools are Latino, but only 10 percent of the students are taking calculus. "This lack of diversity in STEM is dangerous. It's what makes teachers and students down what is possible," maintains Natalia Chabebe for the Huffington Post.

What is possible was precisely what the youth leadership seminar sought to show students, with guests like Emilio Gonzalez, Vice President for Wireless Publich Policy and Strategic Alliances at Verizon, Major John Whitfield, Chief of Operations and Cyber Proponent at the U.S. Army's Cyber Command, and Transito Marcias, Section Manager with Nissan North America. Representatives from Google, AT&T, and Wal-Mart were also present.

Students at LNESC got motivated for STEM careers, as well as encouraging peers to start getting involved in science, technology, and math. ""I do plan on taking STEM courses in college. The STEM presentations were really helpful because they assured me that I am already on the right path, because I am currently taking STEM courses," said Sydney Lee, one of the high school students from Milwaukee, Minnesota. "My next step to carry out what I learned is to start and organization for young girls in my community to help them realize their worth and to help them become better advocates not only for themselves but for their own community."  

"For me, I gained confidence and leadership skills to help me here in my community, and I know for sure I will start a youth LULAC here in Colton, California," said Cecellia Rasso, member of the National Honor Society and other leadership groups in her southern California high school, "not only helping my friends but helping others."