Information on college and necessary life skills were among the nuggets of knowledge bestowed Saturday to about 40 female students from Lompoc's middle and high schools at Lompoc High School.

The event, hosted by the Lompoc Vandenberg Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), included workshops and discussion on attending college, living healthy lifestyles, self-defense, building supportive relationships, financial responsibility, the importance of rest and good eating habits, and skin care, among other useful skills.

“We try to build up the girls' sense of positive self-esteem and we want to reinforce the importance of higher education,” said event co-chair Marell Brooks. “This year, we also have an emphasis on financial security.”

Cabrillo High School sophomore Brissa Montes attended a workshop on self-defense and learned that one should yell “fire” instead of “help” in the event of an attack from someone wishing to do harm.

“Saying ‘fire' brings more attention from other people,” she said.

Andrea Hamby, Alyssa Sharpe and Ratelyn Reinacher, all eighth-graders at Vandenberg Middle School, were among students who learned about proper nutrition and the new food pyramid from Lompoc educator Cecilia Walker.

“Kids used to think sugars and fats were the most important thing (on the food pyramid),” Hamby said. “They're the worst.”

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Reinacher added, “I learned the new food pyramid has oils now.”

“We also learned how to count calories,” Sharpe said. “You should have about 1,600 to 2,200 calories a day.

In another workshop, Alan Hancock Outreach coordinator Brooke Souza advised students on college including the different kinds of colleges available in California, the wide availability of scholarships and loans, increased earning potential from greater educational achievement, and the importance of visiting a college before attending one.

“It's getting more and more competitive and a high school degree isn't going to cut it anymore,” Souza said.

After lunch, eighth-graders Andrea Hamby and Alyssa Sharpe of Vandenberg Middle School, eighth-grader Nancy Rodriguez of El Camino Middle School, and eighth-grader Melany Monterroso of Lompoc Valley Middle School, reported on their “Tech Trek” summer camp experience last year at UC Santa Barbara. The four were chosen by teachers and AAUW members to attend the AAUW sponsored event last summer, and had a taste of college life, living in the dorms, participating in campus activities and attending math and science courses.

Monterroso fondly remembered her boat trip outing and visit to the university aquarium. She also appreciated the chance to “meet people you don't know from different places.”

Of the girl's conference on Saturday, Monterroso said she will take away some important life skills.

“I learned you should save some money for college and that you better go to college because you can study for the career that you want and get paid,” said Monterroso, who has dreams of attending UCSB and becoming a doctor.

Neil Nisperos can be reached at 737-1059 or nnisperos@lompocrecord.com.

March 11, 2007