February 2, 2009 - In order to help make class work more relevant, students need to connect what they are learning with real world experiences. Travis High School and AISD’s Office of Redesign have developed a program called “Real World Connections” to create opportunities for students to interact with professionals who work in career fields that relate to the academies of which students are a part. The kick-off event for “Real World Connections” will be a networking luncheon that will take place at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 3. The program will be held in the Culinary Arts Dining Room (#310) at Travis High School, located at 1211 E. Oltorf Street.

Culinary Arts Dining Room (#310) at Travis High School, located at 1211 E. Oltorf Street.  
 
Through the “Real World Connection” program, a networking luncheon will be scheduled for each of the five academies at Travis High School. This first networking luncheon will be for students in the “Law, Criminal Justice & Government” Academy and speakers will be representatives from those professions.  
 
The program will include a panel discussion with Sheriff Greg Hamilton, Police Chief Art Acevedo and District Judge Orlinda Naranjo moderated by State Representative Eddie Rodriguez.  
 
The other participants include:  
 
Travis County District Clerk Amalia Rodriguez Mendoza  
Judge Raul Gonzalez, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4  
Austin Community College Trustee Veronica Rivera  
Paul Saldana, Public Relations-Local/State Government  
Veronica Lara, Assistant Director, Small & Minority Business Resources Department  
Rossana Barrios, Council Aide to City Council Member Brewster McCracken  
Randy Moreno, Firefighter  
Commander Ernie Pedraza, Austin Police Department  
Norvert Morales, Attorney, Morales & Navarette Law Firm  
Amelia Lopez Phelps - Public Relations - Local/State Government  
Gloria Leal - Public Relations - Local/State Government  
 
For more information, please contact Raul Alvarez, AISD Office of Redesign, (512) 293-8767 or Courtney Bensch, Travis High School, 414-6355