State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon hosts 13th annual Latino Fellowship Day at the Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS – State Representative Mara Candelaria Reardon (D-Munster) today hosted 150 Latino students from across Indiana at the Statehouse for the 13th Annual Latino Fellowship Day. Students participated in the legislative process as pages, met with their local legislators and Governor Eric Holcomb, and participated in a financial aid workshop.

“We are thrilled to see such a talented and devoted group of students walking the halls of the Statehouse,” Candelaria Reardon said. “This young, diverse group of high schoolers brings a much needed unique and valuable perspective grounded in the knowledge and experience rooted in their Latino identities.”

Candelaria Reardon, the first Latina elected as a member of the Indiana General Assembly, became the first Latina in a leadership role for the Indiana House Democratic Caucus when she was appointed Indiana House Democratic Caucus Chair last year. She has been a staunch advocate for promoting diversity and connecting the Latino community to state government. In 2007, she started the Latino Fellows Day with just 15 students.

“When I started the Latino Fellows Day program, I was determined to do all I could to promote diversity in this building and get Latinos excited about serving their communities and state government,” Candelaria Reardon added. “Latinos are an integral part of Indiana's population and it's important that our interests are promoted by people who look like us. It is my hope that these students will return to the Statehouse as senators, representatives, lobbyists and advocates for their community.”

To download HD photos from Latino Fellowship Day, click here.

To learn more about Candelaria Reardon, click here.