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National
Hispanic Youth Leadership Conference: Challenging the Latino community and
the American dream
By Kathleen Lamb ‘04
Last July 13 to 19, Villanova hosted the National Hispanic Youth Leadership
Conference (sponsored by The National Hispanic Institute) an annual event
held at four different sites each year. The conference gives Hispanic youth
opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership abilities on their
journey towards college and beyond. Selected freshman Hispanic high school
students participated in the weeklong program ranging from lectures and
gala dinners to discussions and debates. Students improved their rhetorical
capability, critical analysis dexterity and quick thinking skills by partaking
in extemporaneous speaking, cross examination and oratory. These ninth graders
focused upon serious questions including Latino heritage in a mainstream
American culture and political schema, very topical in today’s global
community.
Students were selected to attend the tournament on decidedly competitive
standards. Attendees had to have at least a 3.288 GPA, rank in the top 25
percent of their high school class and provide evidence of academic excellence
through participation in advanced classes. To be considered as applicants,
students must have been entered in a college-bound program and displayed
an interest in becoming a leader in the Latino community.
Weeks before the tournament, these dedicated students trained long and hard.
As the conference drew near, thoughts of making it into the “Sweet
Sixteen,” and winning the tournament tiptoed into their minds. When
the students arrived at Villanova, their knowledge of the Latino community
was tested. Many wondered which team would triumph amid the probing intellectual
questions and win the trophy. During the week, some students progressed
on to more difficult rounds, as the competition became more challenging,
while others had to move on from their defeat and learn from it. In the
course of the ups and downs of stress, these students excelled because they
went out and conquered their fears and inhibitions, discovering what it
means to be a leader. On the final day of the conference, the outstanding
competitors received awards in recognition of their rhetorical accomplishments,
symbolic of all the attendee’s personal achievements throughout the
week.
Before the National Hispanic Institute’s program, many of the students
were hesitant about applying to the top colleges. Next year, the students
will attend the Institute’s Lorenzo de Zavala Legislative Session,
then the collegiate World Series, followed by the Mexico Language Program,
and ultimately college. Aware of their potential, with great expectations,
the students look forward to competing for grades, slots for the best universities,
and later on careers goals and opportunities.
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