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Excitement filled the air at HISD’s fourth annual Dream Summit, held Saturday at Hattie Mae White, drawing hundreds of students eager to collect resources and information about college applications and financial aid.

The HISD Office of College and Career Readiness and Multilingual Programs event is held each year to aid HISD DREAMers, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, visa holders, permanent residents, refugees, and asylum grantees, along with their families.

Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer Rick Cruz welcomed students and their families to the event applauding them for their commitment to the future.

“I commend you for taking ownership of your education today—for coming here on a Saturday to learn more about your postsecondary options as a DREAMer,” Cruz told the audience.  “We hope you gain a better understanding of what is possible, as well as all of the resources available here in HISD to support you.”

Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan encouraged the students and their families to take full advantage of the resources and sessions offered – and to continue to dream big for their futures.

“HISD works diligently to ensure that all students can succeed and have a chance to go to college.” Lathan said. “We are here today to help you find and understand those resources. We are here to help you reach your goals and help you stay motivated in your pursuit of academic success.”

Admissions representatives from many Texas colleges and universities were on hand to answer questions and host information sessions on the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). The summit also included a college and resource fair, and a financial aid application lab for seniors.

Seniors were able to participate in breakout information sessions, including a discussion about college essays, which Ammara Dagha, a senior at Wisdom High School, found extremely helpful.

“It shows you exactly what colleges are looking for in your essays,” she said. “I learned that you have to write more about you and put in how you talk. It helped me a lot.”

The day ended on a high note for many students in attendance, including Juan Camilo, a student at Bellaire High School, who said the event left him feeling empowered and excited for his future.

“I spent the best Saturday of my life learning many things,” he said. “I learned that education is power. If you are good at it, you can do something in your life.”