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You need to meet these young heroes.

Here they are: the incredible young people who make up the class of the 2019 Institute

In a few short weeks, these remarkable students will be arriving for a summer full of learning, discovery, boldness, and adventure.

And you can encourage them right now. 

Read about all 20 of these rockstar young leaders, then ignite their futures by making a gift to support this summer’s Institute. 

Abner describes himself as an optimist. When he struggled in school, he kept pushing forward. And as he told us in his interview, "I always believe that I can do it." He loves drawing and dreams of becoming a graphic designer. 

Abner describes himself as an optimist. When he struggled in school, he kept pushing forward. And as he told us in his interview, “I always believe that I can do it.” He loves drawing and dreams of becoming a graphic designer.

Angel's big goal for the Institute is to get out of his comfort zone and learn. He dreams of studying auto mechanics so that he can work on cars, and above all, he cares deeply about all of the people around him. 

Angel’s big goal for the Institute is to get out of his comfort zone and learn. He dreams of studying auto mechanics so that he can work on cars, and above all, he cares deeply about all of the people around him.

During her interview, Darina told us, "I have perseverance. I've faced a lot of challenges, but I am here and I am smiling." And that she is. She dreams of becoming a math teacher, and we are so excited to welcome her this summer. 

During her interview, Darina told us, “I have perseverance. I’ve faced a lot of challenges, but I am here and I am smiling.” And that she is. She dreams of becoming a math teacher, and we are so excited to welcome her this summer.

Milka's big goals for the summer are to build confidence and to overcome any nerves and insecurity she feels as she pursues her dreams. She loves food, so she is interested in learning more about gastronomy. 

Milka’s big goals for the summer are to build confidence and to overcome any nerves and insecurity she feels as she pursues her dreams. She loves food, so she is interested in learning more about gastronomy.

Álvaro joined us at the Winter Conference and decided he wanted to apply for the Institute. Already charismatic and welcoming, he wants to learn to better express himself this summer. And he dreams of becoming a pilot! 

Álvaro joined us at the Winter Conference and decided he wanted to apply for the Institute. Already charismatic and welcoming, he wants to learn to better express himself this summer. And he dreams of becoming a pilot!

Soft-spoken and creative, Abel loves to draw and dreams of studying graphic design. He knows his community struggles with economic poverty, and he is excited to learn more about how serve those around him. 

Soft-spoken and creative, Abel loves to draw and dreams of studying graphic design. He knows his community struggles with economic poverty, and he is excited to learn more about how serve those around him.

After joining us at the Winter Conference in January, Edgar decided to apply for the Institute this summer. He loves music and told us, "I see a lot of problems in my community, so I try to support people. I support people by listening to them." 

After joining us at the Winter Conference in January, Edgar decided to apply for the Institute this summer. He loves music and told us, “I see a lot of problems in my community, so I try to support people. I support people by listening to them.”

Veronica has participated in the Leadership Club at her school all year—which motivated her to apply for the Institute this summer. She plans on joining the military after she graduates, and she also loves to draw. 

Veronica has participated in the Leadership Club at her school all year—which motivated her to apply for the Institute this summer. She plans on joining the military after she graduates, and she also loves to draw.

Ariana Amelia is confident and bold, and she has big dreams for her future. Her two big goals? To become an accountant and pursue Mexican culture and folklore. We love her passion for numbers AND art—because why choose?! 

Ariana Amelia is confident and bold, and she has big dreams for her future. Her two big goals? To become an accountant and pursue Mexican culture and folklore. We love her passion for numbers AND art—because why choose?!

She dreams of studying medicine and wants to learn to play guitar. She looks up to her dad—a lifelong learner who speaks 4 languages!—and she decided to apply to the Institute after coming to the first-ever Winter Conference in January. 

She dreams of studying medicine and wants to learn to play guitar. She looks up to her dad—a lifelong learner who speaks 4 languages!—and she decided to apply to the Institute after coming to the first-ever Winter Conference in January.

Growing up, Ingrid's younger brother struggled with a physical disability. She watched him work hard to master various skills—and she decided she wanted to serve other people like him. Now she dreams of studying physical therapy! 

Growing up, Ingrid’s younger brother struggled with a physical disability. She watched him work hard to master various skills—and she decided she wanted to serve other people like him. Now she dreams of studying physical therapy!

Evelyn is an artist who wants to learn more about photography and painting. She loves animals, and she likes helping other people. She spends a lot of time caring for her three younger siblings, and best of all, she loves to laugh! 

Evelyn is an artist who wants to learn more about photography and painting. She loves animals, and she likes helping other people. She spends a lot of time caring for her three younger siblings, and best of all, she loves to laugh!

Perla blew us away with her creativity, poise, and enthusiastic spirit. She is an amazing artist and dreams of becoming an architect or an engineer. She is well-spoken and bold, and we can't wait to welcome her to the Institute! 

Perla blew us away with her creativity, poise, and enthusiastic spirit. She is an amazing artist and dreams of becoming an architect or an engineer. She is well-spoken and bold, and we can’t wait to welcome her to the Institute!

Llirio told us about her love of photography and being creative. She dreams of studying communications or public relations, and one day, she would like to lead campaigns that help protect the environment.

Llirio told us about her love of photography and being creative. She dreams of studying communications or public relations, and one day, she would like to lead campaigns that help protect the environment.

Jezer's big goals for the summer are to learn English and to learn more about his community. He likes studying Mexican history, and while he doesn't yet know what he wants to pursue as an adult, he loves learning! 

Jezer’s big goals for the summer are to learn English and to learn more about his community. He likes studying Mexican history, and while he doesn’t yet know what he wants to pursue as an adult, he loves learning!

She is an artist who dreams of becoming an architect or an engineer, and she is most excited to learn English this summer. One day, she wants to open a Casa de Cultura—a cultural center where her community can learn together. 

She is an artist who dreams of becoming an architect or an engineer, and she is most excited to learn English this summer. One day, she wants to open a Casa de Cultura—a cultural center where her community can learn together.

Braulio wants to learn to express himself this summer, and he's excited to be part of the 2019 Institute. Longer term, he has two dreams: to be a professional soccer player and to become a motorcycle mechanic. 

Braulio wants to learn to express himself this summer, and he’s excited to be part of the 2019 Institute. Longer term, he has two dreams: to be a professional soccer player and to become a motorcycle mechanic.

Jesus has a kind, friendly disposition and a soft smile. He loves food and wants to study gastronomy. And he also dreams of learning English—he said that building his language skills is one of his biggest goals of the summer. 

Jesus has a kind, friendly disposition and a soft smile. He loves food and wants to study gastronomy. And he also dreams of learning English—he said that building his language skills is one of his biggest goals of the summer.

When her big brother, Javier, participated in the Institute, Alejandra watched how he grew and changed—and she knew she wanted to be a part of the program, too. She likes art and sports, and more than anything, she wants to learn English! 

When her big brother, Javier, participated in the Institute, Alejandra watched how he grew and changed—and she knew she wanted to be a part of the program, too. She likes art and sports, and more than anything, she wants to learn English!

When he was at the Winter Conference, Emmanuel decided that he wanted to apply for the Institute. He dreams of becoming a pilot and is especially excited to learn English. Most of all, he wants to help young people in his community. 

When he was at the Winter Conference, Emmanuel decided that he wanted to apply for the Institute. He dreams of becoming a pilot and is especially excited to learn English. Most of all, he wants to help young people in his community.

Wow. What an absolutely INCREDIBLE group. We can’t wait to welcome them in just a few short weeks.

You can ignite their future right now by making a gift to support the Institute. The countdown is on—there is only ONE MONTH to go!

Seguimos Adelante!