UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College hosted the 28th annual Native American Motivation Day on Feb. 7.

More than 200 students from sixth grade through college were involved in the activities that included seminars, a keynote motivational speaker, college information sharing, and career and budget planning.

Mendocino College President Arturo Reyes welcomed the participants and challenged them to excel in school and become leaders.

College recruiters from UC Davis, Cal State Sacramento, Cal State East Bay, Cal State Chico and Mendocino College met with students to discuss admission requirements and encouraged participants to continue their education after high school.

American Indian students and community members attended from throughout Lake and Mendocino counties, as well as from the bay area.

Rebecca “Maggie” Magdalena Escobedo-Steele was the motivational speaker who provided a challenging message about living a life that was worthy of students’ talents.

Steele is the founder of 7th Generation Warriors for Peace, a program dedicated to working with youth to prevent violence, gang conflict, promote healing and evoke empowerment.

She challenged negative peer pressure and encouraged the students to heighten their natural born talents.

Steele warned how the path of drugs or gangs would ultimately limit the students’ potential. She inspired the participants to fly like an eagle and avoid living like a chicken.

The day ended with a traditional Indian taco lunch provided by the community members who helped prepare and lead the event.

This event demonstrated Mendocino College’s commitment to serving the diverse population in the region and strong support of a community collaboration to empower American Indian youth by providing them with encouraging role models and a positive message about the power of an education.

The Mendocino College Native American Advisory Council sponsored the event with the help of college staff, the Mendocino College Foundation, and many tribal and community agencies.