2012 CHCI High School Latino Leaders in DC Program (HSLLDC) Participants

Forty ambitious high school students traveled to Washington, D.C. from Miami, New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego, Central California, Chicago, San Antonio and Dallas to participate in CHCI's second annual High School Latino Leaders in D.C. program held July 22-27, 2012. All of the students come from low-income communities and represente the diverse range of students who participate in the R2L program each year.

In partnership with the Close Up Foundation and founding sponsor State Farm Insurance, as well as Southwest Airlines, the official airline of CHCI Leadership Programs, and Macy’s, the official HSLLDC wardrobe sponsor, CHCI brought the students to D.C. to learn about how the Federal Government works, the importance of being civically engaged, and how they can affect positive change in their communities.

To learn more about the participants, visit the demographic profile: Download file 2012 HSLLDC - Participant Profile

Read a summary of their experiences here.

Each one of these high school students had a unique experience. Read the lasting impressions each one had from this life-changing week.

Juan Daniel Ramos Fuentes

Back To Top	Salvador Acosta Thomas Jefferson High School San Antonio, TX My CHCI experience has helped me grow in an almost unfathomable, impossible, but yet, possible, way. I see the federal government through different eyes now, understanding the complex structure of it all. Ever since I was young I had an interest in politics, and my experience in D.C has fueled my desire even further.
Back To Top	Antonio Anaya Jack E. Singley Academy Irving, TX Being a part of the HSLLDC has impacted my life for the better! I plan on sharing my knowledge with as many people as possible. I am inspired to begin looking for scholarships and colleges to apply to after I graduate from high school. These goals are going to help me become a better person with good morals and not only will it impact the Latino community, it will impact the world!
Back To Top	Kayleigh Arcos KIPP University Prep High School San Antonio, TX The HSLLDC program was an eye opening experience. I learned so much about Latino leaders in Congress and important issues that affect my community. I walked away feeling empowered and confident knowing that I have people expecting me to succeed.
Back To Top	Sandra Arteaga South Mountain High School Phoenix, AZ I believe that that the HSLLDC experience has allowed me to learn more about the history of this country. I have learned about some of the most important topics and issues like education and immigration. My perceptions about our government and political system have changed as a result of my participation in the program. Now I am more educated about the role and impact I can have on our government and the political system.
Back To Top	Karen Avila Huntington Park Senior High School Los Angeles, CA After participating with CHCI I have learned how Latinos like myself can make a difference by never forgetting where we come from and using our pride to continue our education beyond high school.
Back To Top	Jose Bahena CICS Ralph Ellison Chicago, IL My CHCI experience will help me in my future. At the HSLLDC program, I learned about the government, the process of a creating a bill and what our congressmen must to do to pass it. It was a great opportunity to meet our congressmen face-to-face. This trip had a great impact on me and I am now inspired to make a difference in my community.
Back To Top	Katherine Barahona Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial High School Miami, FL After this program, I am hopeful that my peers and I will enact the change necessary to improve our communities. CHCI has empowered me to strive for the best and I now that my future career will involve empowering the hispanic population across the country.
Back To Top	Abraham Cabrera Westhills High School San Diego, CA Every student in this program is extremely smart and to be in the same room really showed me my true potential. I realized that the things that I do at school are pointless compared to the actual knowledge that I have but I never use. So this experience really made me realize my true potential and has brought out the true Latino leader that was trapped inside of me
Back To Top	Daniela Ceja Le Grand High School Planada, CA CHCI has helped me experience a wonderful opportunity to learn what can happen if we apply ourselves in school and in our community. Meeting amazing role models helped me realize that I can also make a difference.
Back To Top	Damian Cuevas South Mountain High School Phoenix, AZ My CHCI experience changed my life completely! I now have the confidence to exude these leadership skills I acquired in one amazing, educational week. As a result of the HSLLDC program, I have more confidence in myself and I believe that I have a greater chance to graduate high school and go on to college!
Back To Top	Rocio De La Cruz San Marcos High School San Marcos, CA Before going to Washington I knew that I was going to graduate from high school and then go to college. After this trip I am more encouraged to graduate high school with a grade point average greater than a 4.0. Without CHCI I would have never changed my view of government. More people need to be informed in order to see how much we can impact this country. I am inspired to go further than most people go.
Back To Top	Breanna DeLeon Herbert Hoover High School Fresno, CA During the HSLLDC program I learned that our government is trying to help correct the problems in our nation; however they have rules and laws they have to get through before we see change. I understand that it will not happen overnight but it gives me a peace of mind knowing that there are people trying to help our local community.
Back To Top	Bryan Diaz Miami Sunset Senior High School Miami, FL During the HSLLDC program I discovered many career options. Now I am not only focused on one career path but on many, especially the ones that I learned about in DC. Now that I am a member of CHCI I will always be involved whenever needed and I will always assist CHCI no matter what my career choice. I believe that CHCI will positively impact my future in my educationtional endeavors and my career.
Back To Top	Irania Felix Betty H. Fairfax High School Phoenix, AZ The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute has truly marked my life with an unforgettable memory. With the opportunity to have my voice heard I realized that there are people out there who want other Latino leaders like me to succeed. I have comeback from D.C. with a brighter more enthusisatic outlook in my future goals. I am more sure I will attend a univeristy and am eager to share my experience with others in my community.
Back To Top	Columba Flores High School of Telecommunications, Arts and Technology Brooklyn, NY My CHCI experience has taught me that Hispanics are important, that we do matter and we can make a difference. Because of the program I feel so powerful, and I know that because of this power I will have so much more determination…I will be able to accomplish everything and I will have a great future and life.
Back To Top	Marina Garcia Fox Tech High School San Antonio, TX I recognize that I am responsible for taking what I learned back into my community. I am proud to share that I am a Latino leader! I feel very blessed and fortunate to have participated in the HSLLDC porgram and have learned so much that I am going to take back to my peers, family, and people at home in San Antonio.
Back To Top	Pedro Gomez Sunnyside High School Fresno, CA By particpating in this program I am one step closer to making a big difference. I realized that it is not okay to just sit on the couch and wait for a good movie. The nation and our respective states really need us to reform education, environmental, and health issues.
Back To Top	Leo Gonzalez Merced High School Merced, CA Participating in the HSLLDC program has helped me be more proud of my heritage. I am proud to be a bilingual Latino who will help his community become a better place for all.
Back To Top	Krystal Hernandez School For Advanced Studies South Miami, FL I had an amazing experience as a participant of the HSLLDC program. I learned the importance of being involved civically in my community and as a result, I will tell everyone to vote. My goal is to be a voice for those who do not have a voice.
Back To Top	Melina Hernandez Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders Brooklyn, NY This wonderful experience has changed my life completely. Meeting Latino congressmen and women and other influential people made me realize I could be anyone I want to be.
Back To Top	Margarita Herrera R.L. Turner High School Dallas, TX My HSLLDC experience has helped me be more confident. I feel strong and ready to make a change in my life. Now that I'm back home I am volunteering more in my community and feel a great satisfaction knowing that I am helping people. I am also going to start applying for scholarships. I know that I am going to graduate from high school with high honors.
Back To Top	Javier Lopez Santa Monica High School Los Angeles, CA The week I spent with High School Latino Leaders in DC program was a life changer. Being a part of CHCI has changed my perception about government and the political system because it showed me that the government really cares about the people. I will honor the investment CHCI made in me by pursuing my dreams and graduating from college.
Back To Top	Kaitlyn Montan Flower Mound High School Flower Mound, TX CHCI helped me bring government a little closer to home. Washington D.C. had always seemed so far away and the possibility to change something in government likewise seemed to be something to do in my future. CHCI showed me that I do not have to wait. I can be the change I wish to see in the future, right now.
Back To Top	Andres Moreno Betty H. Fairfax High School Laveen, AZ Being a part of the CHCI program has showed me that one person can make a significant difference in their community. Before this trip I wasn't aware of how interesting politics are and now I can see it in my future one way or another. I am very interested in internship opportunities through CHCI, and it is something I never considered before my involvement with this program.
Back To Top	Sabrina Moreno Monroe Academy for Visual Arts & Design Bronx, NY I always believed that I will graduate from high school and go to college. But now that I have joined this program, I believe I will work harder even after I go to college. I want to make this country proud, and show others I can succeed.
Back To Top	Natalia Mota Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy Chicago, IL I learned so many exciting new things during my trip to Washington, DC with CHCI. From the role of Congress in budget cuts in education that have affected my community, to the significance of memorials on the nation’s front yard, I will never forget this experience.
Back To Top	Janett Munoz McCollum High School San Antonio, TX CHCI has to be one of the most rewarding and unforgettable experiences of my entire life. I learned so much about politics and about myself. I had the mentality that I was only a 16 year old and that my voice was not important. HSLLDC made me look at life in a fresh way. While meeting many Congressional members and hearing inspirational speakers, I have come to the realization that I do have a voice and I can make a difference. This experience has sparked my drive in not only my education, but in life.
Back To Top	Esli Murillo San Marcos High School San Marcos, CA Knowing that there are other Latinos out there that have the same questions and concerns that I have is really a relief because it means that I am not the only young Latino concerned about our future. It made me realize that even though we are young and a minority group, we Latinos have the strength and power to make a difference, not only in this country but in the world.
Back To Top	Juan Olascoaga Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy Chicago, IL I gained a lot of knowledge during the HSLLDC program about the DREAM Act, Comprehensive Health Care Reform, and immigration issues. It gives me great pride to have met Latino leaders who care about our community in Washington, DC. I am committed to making a difference in my community and inspire other young people to also become leaders in Chicago.
Back To Top	Jasmin Palomares McCollum High School San Antonio, TX I was very inspired to have the opportunity to meet so many influential people in our government that care about the opinions of high school students. I feel that I have learned more about politics and how our government functions today than I have in my entire life. I am now more confident that I can stand up for what I believe in and make a difference.
Back To Top	Michael Pineda North High School Phoenix, AZ I have the power to enact change in my community, and I will. With my new knowledge, I will talk to my school leaders to help motivate other students so that they may further their education.
Back To Top	Efren Ramirez Jr. Albert G. Lane College Preperatory Technical High School Chicago, IL CHCI has given me a profound pride of my Latino heritage than I never had before and I will always be proud of my Hispanic side, because it is who I am and who I always will be.
Back To Top	Juan Ramos Fuentes Macarthur High School Irving, TX Now that I possess this knowledge I cannot stay quiet; I am determined to share this gift with our friends, family, and community. I know that I can and have many ideas to achieve it. This program inspired me to motivate my peers and help them discover that light shining inside, that light that can illuminate the dark trails of our lost society.
Back To Top	Stephanie Revilla The Bronx School For Law, Government, and Justice Bronx, NY The High School Latino Leaders in DC program has helped me realized how similar my upbring has been to some Senators and Congressmen. This has been a life changing experience that I will never forget.
Back To Top	Thomas Rivera Bishop Amat Memorial High School Baldwin Park, CA My experience with CHCI has boosted my pride in my heritage as a Latino leader. As a result, I will return to my community and lead by example by giving it all I got in school, at home and as I prepare for college.
Back To Top	Jennifer Salcido Rosemead High School El Monte, CA My trip to Washington D.C. with CHCI helped me realize that there are many doors open out there for me and that I should never give up no matter what. I know for a fact that there is a space for me in politics and I know that if I give it my best and continue doing what I'm doing, I will get there. After this experience, I've realized that I can do so much for my community just by having my voice heard. I am no longer afraid of expressing myself and sharing my views/ideology with my community. My perseverance to succeed in life is now stronger than ever.
Back To Top	Fernando Sigala Justin Ford Kimball High School Dallas, TX The HSLLDC program was an unforgettable experience. In the course of a week, I came to learn more about public policy issues facing our community and met amazing people who are working to pass legislation. I am a proud Latino leader because I am a role model for others and an advocate to reform my community.
Back To Top	Frank Trujillo Westland Hialeah Senior High School Hialeah, FL I was a high school student with good grades, but after this wonderful experience I realize that I am also part of the prosperous future of this nation. I learned so much with CHCI in just one week and I know that it will benifit me my entire life. I want to be one of the great leaders that the Latino community needs.
Back To Top	Jose Trujillo Carlsbad High School Carlsbad, CA I know many people who would like to be in my shoes, as a participant of the HSLLDC program. Because of this, I will take all of my knowledge and share it with my community so that together we can make it a better place to live.
Back To Top	Yoselin Vasquez Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy Wilmington, CA CHCI and its intern have given me a positive future--something I couldn't find anywhere else. Before this summer, my mind was filled with negative thoughts, worries and doubts. Now, thanks to CHCI and their intern Ms. Guerrero, I will prove that the impossible can be possible.