Cal State San Bernardino’s chapter of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. welcomed local Latina high school students for the annual Latina Youth Leadership Conference recently, with keynote speaker Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-San Bernardino of the 47th Assembly District. The day-long event on April 5 included workshops, a campus tour, a panel discussion and the opportunity to have important conversations about civic engagement, leadership, academic excellence, career building and personal development. “As a national organization, we strive to promote higher education including, but not limited to, LatinX in our community,” said Alicia Echevarria, French major and community service chair of CSUSB’s Lambda Theta Nu Sorority. During her speech, Reyes encouraged the high school students to view their failures as learning experiences. “It isn’t the failures that define us – it’s how we react to the failures,” she said. “We can’t control everything that happens when it comes to failures, but we can certainly control how we react to it; does it knock us down and we never get up? Or does it knock us down and gives us more strength to stand up? For me, it’s always given me more strength to make sure that I get up, and that when I get up, I’m even stronger because I’ve learned something.” She also discussed the importance of spreading knowledge to others. “Take all those tools with you, but remember it isn’t for you to keep for yourselves – you’ve got to share it with others. There are others who are not here at this conference who need to hear the message and I hope you will share it with them. “Not everything is going to be easy,” she continued, “but as you continue to be empowered, use that power to make sure you continue to go further and further, and as you go further and further, never forget your sisters and bring them along with you.”  Following her speech, Reyes gave a certificate of recognition to members of CSUSB’s Lamba Theta Nu Sorority to recognize their inspiring work and dedication to Latinas in the community. Visit the Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. website to learn more about the organization.