Ten Santa Fe-area students are participating in a conference that is teaching them about Hispanic role models, financial aid options and college opportunities.

Udell Calzadillas, 14, a Monte del Sol Charter School student, and Lizeth Salazar, 16, from Capital High School, are among the chosen.

The four-day New Mexico Hispanic Youth Symposium, which began Wednesday at The University of New Mexico campus, gathered 150 Hispanic and Native American students from a pool of more than 400 applicants from across the state.

For students like Udell and Lizeth — who are first-generation college-bound students — the experience is all about breaking barriers.

"I have a lot of Hispanic friends, and they think that because you're Mexican, there are no opportunities," said Lizeth, who plans to attend Santa Fe Community College's nursing program. Staying at UNM, getting a little taste of college life and meeting possible mentors who can later write a letter of recommendation is empowering, she said. "But hey, you can be somebody. You don't have to be a house cleaner or work in construction. You can be a doctor."

Like Lizeth, Udell has realized his potential. He wants to be a U.S. diplomat in a foreign country. Having been chosen as one of the 150 students has made him realize that hard work can pay off, he said.

"Everyone has potential, even with very low financial means, even if you're not as rich as many, you can still go out there ... and strive to find success," Udell said.

The 150 students will learn from three broad areas: college, career and community, said Anne Guarnera, communications director for the Hispanic College Fund in Washington, D.C., the nonprofit organization that aims to help high school students develop into college graduates. The conference is offered throughout the summer in five different states.

New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering Science Achievement co-hosted the event. During the symposium, students can also compete for $14,000 in scholarship funds.

Latinos and Native Americans make up close to half of New Mexico's population, which translates into a powerful economic influence, the Hispanic College Fund's president, Idalia Fernandez, said in a statement.

"Each student who attends the Hispanic Youth Symposium will be equipped with the tools that they need to pursue a college education and professional career, and in just a few years, they will be able to give back to their local communities by increasing the diversity and productivity of the New Mexico workforce," Fernandez said.

Contact Sandra Baltazar Martínez at 986-3062 or smartinez@sfnewmexican.com.