On the last Friday of February, while Madison teachers were at their traditional SWEIO workshops, and many Madison students were enjoying a well-earned day off from classes, over 130 Madison Latino students excitedly gathered for the daylong Madison Latino Career and College Fair held at Edgewood College.

The students learned firsthand from area professionals about career and educational choices open to them.

This, hopefully, first annual event, was planned by Migrant Teacher Rebecca Zambrano and MMSD ESL counselors Joe Nigh, Daniela Porro, Marilsa Hansen, Ying Vang, and Camilo Gacharná, and social worker Rosemary Barrientos,

The event went from 9:00 am to 2:45 pm and gave students the chance to hear three career presentations in their own language and attend a college fair.

Edgewood College donated the space and lunch for all participants.

Because of the enthusiastic student and parent response, even on a non-school day, planners hope to create an event next year with two to three times the capacity.