In 1983, the National Hispanic Institute launched its first-ever youth leadership project. The Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session, now better known by its LDZ nickname, debuted in Austin, Texas. It was created for Latino families to invest in high-quality leadership development for their high school age children to serve in key leadership roles in their families, communities, and to pursue higher education.

At the time LDZ started, it seemed unimaginable that it would grow from a city-based program to other states and even other nations. The Colorado program, launched in 1990 at Colorado State University, is now one of our longest-running programs. From Chicago to New York to the West Coast, and then to Mexico and Panama, six independent LDZs annually inspire hundreds of students to collaborate, innovate, and lead their communities.

JOIN STUDENTS LIKE YOU FOR EIGHT

DAYS OF COLLABORATION, LEADERSHIP,

AND TRANSFORMATION.

APPLY BY OCTOBER 18, 2019

After October 18, call 512-357-6137 or write to

admissions@nhimail.com to inquire about space availability.

Some people view the LDZ as a “mock legislative session.” It’s true that students hold a delegate convention, elect leaders, and participate in a legislative session to consider their proposals and ideas. Although winning an election is exciting, the responsibility that comes with leadership is more important. Few experiences put students in command positions to propose new ideas and materialize them into policies. The week-long quest covers a broad array of skills, competencies, personal growth opportunities, social relevance., and topics of national and international scope.

The LDZ has a deep and enduring impact on the hearts and minds of young people. LDZ students soon realize that “if it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.” Their dedication to excellence is apparent to everyone around them, and they especially prove to themselves that they can achieve great things when they put their mind to it.

The LDZ delivers its curriculum in an unexpected way. Many students describe it as “magical.” Over eight days, students make life-long friends and work through challenges around managing people, time, and complex social questions. They learn about their capacities and strengths, with the potential to emerge as more confident leaders in their schools and communities.

The LDZ Experience

Why Choose the LDZ?

DEADLINE

LDZ 20202020 LDZ Program Locations CALIFORNIA LDZ, UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO San Diego, California | Late June | sandiego.edu

Held at the University of San Diego, an academically impressive private university and one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses, the California LDZ draws significant participation from Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Washington, and (of course) California. This program captures a positive approach to innovation and imagination, due to its location at one of this nation’s major centers of creativity.

COLORADO LDZ, COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY Ft. Collins, Colorado | June 21-28 | colostate.edu

The Colorado LDZ is held in the Rocky Mountains, at Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins. It attracts young leaders from across the American Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Texas. CSU, NHI’s oldest LDZ partner institution, fills the experience with rich traditions and history. The debates and proposals at this LDZ seek to forge synergies among Western states and communities.

NATIONAL LDZ Chicago, Illinois | Late June/early July

Held in the Chicago metro area for over 25 years, and representing NHI’s first major expansion out of Texas, “The National” is the largest and most popular LDZ program. It is also the only LDZ that models itself on a federal rather than a state system. Fierce competition is a staple of this program, where top award recipients from NHI Great Debates across the U.S. and Latin America participate.

NEW YORK LDZ, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTERRochester, New York | July | rochester.edu

NHI’s most diverse LDZ is held in historic upstate New York, bordered by the Great Lakes and Canada. The New York LDZ draws participation from the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and major East Coast cities. However, the University of Rochester program also attracts delegates from Arizona, California, Texas, Florida, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Panama. With its international delegation, the New York LDZ is one of two bilingual LDZ experiences that NHI offers.

LDZ LAS AMERICAS, CIUDAD DEL SABER (CITY OF KNOWLEDGE)Panamá, Panamá | July 12-19 | ciudaddelsaber.org/en

A diplomatic center, global learning and research hub, Ciudad del Saber/City of Knowledge in Panama provides a perfect setting for dialogue and debate over the future trajectory of communities throughout the Americas. Located near the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal, a former home to the U.S. Military, the LALDZ features participation from as many as seven nations, and operates in both English and Spanish.

TEXAS LDZ, ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITYSan Antonio, Texas | July 26 - August 2 | stmarytx.edu

As NHI’s oldest program, the Texas LDZ has deep roots, legacy participation, a strong alumni presence, and celebrates a history dating back to 1983. In 2019, over 200 Texans will converge in San Antonio for an intellectual showdown that will pay close attention to the future of Texas, carving out proposals and discussions that frame this state as a hemispheric power center. The Texas LDZ experience, featuring alumni legislators and leaders, is a true classic.

A B R I E F H I S T O R Y

W W W. N AT I O N A L H I S PA N I C I N S T I T U T E . O R G

NHI P.O. Box 220, Maxwell, Texas 78656 USA, 512-357-6137 M-F, Call 9am-12pm; 1:30pm-5pm CDT.

LDZ Program ScheduleLDZers enjoy the first day checking into their dorm rooms, meeting their roommates and counselors, and team-building. Early the next morning, the two-day convention of student delegates begins, followed by youth government elections and a three-day legislative session. There’s typically a fun outing the second night of the legislative session, and after the students wrap up their legislative meetings, they celebrate by showcasing their talents at a cultural show. All LDZs host a college fair and college readiness discussions during the week, allowing students meet and interact with university recruiters. On the final evening of the program, parents are invited to view the emotionally-charged LDZ awards ceremony and take pictures of their children. Afterward, students enjoy music, dancing, and socializing. On the final Sunday, students get together one last time to say their final goodbyes (until they reconnect at Celebración and at the next summer’s CWS).

Parent Perspective “It was a difficult decision to allow my daughter to travel so far away from me to attend the NHI LDZ. As most Latino parents, we hold on very tightly to our children. Being the ‘modern’ mom I portray myself to be, I thought it would be terrible if I did not allow her to experience something that could potentially transform her thinking… During that week, I witnessed through phone calls and text messages that my baby was absorbing so much about the world outside her own and learning so much more than we all anticipated. She came home with a newfound freedom and independence that was so inspiring.” - Angelica L. Vidro, Philadelphia, PA

DAY 1Arrival/Check InTeam-building with peersMeet your counselor

DAY 2Introduction to legislative proceduresOrganize groups by interestsIntroduction to proposal-writing

DAY 3Elections and announcementsFinalization of proposals

DAY 4Opening ceremony of the chambers of governmentFirst reading of proposalsSupreme Court hears cases

DAY 5Review of proposals in chambersSupreme Court hears casesEvening outing and social activities

DAY 6Proposals signed into lawFinal supreme court trial“Noche cultural”

DAY 7College planning and college fairAwards CeremonyGovernor’s/President’s Ball

DAY 8Closing reflections and goodbyesDepartures

Arkansas State University - Campus Querétaro (‘19 GD Host)Augustana College (‘19 GD Host)Austin College (‘19 GD Host)Bates CollegeBaylor UniversityBenedictine CollegeCabrini University (‘19 GD Host)Case Western Reserve UniversityCity of Knowledge (‘19 LDZ Host)Colorado State University-Fort Collins (‘19 LDZ Host)Colorado State University-Pueblo (‘19 GD Host)Concordia University TexasCornell UniversityEarlham CollegeElizabethtown College (‘19 CWS Host)Florida International UniversityIncarnate Word UniversityIowa State UniversityMake SchoolNew York UniversityNorth Central CollegeNorthwestern University Purdue University

Rhodes CollegeSchreiner University (‘19 GD Host)Southwestern UniversitySt. Mary’s University (‘19 LDZ Host)Texas A&M University-Corpus ChristiTexas A&M University-San AntonioTexas Tech UniversityThe George Washington University The University of IowaTrinity CollegeUniversity of FindlayUniversity of HoustonUniversity of North Texas (‘19 CWS Host)University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PittsburghUniversity of Rochester (‘19 LDZ Host)University of St. Francis (‘19 LDZ Host)University of San Diego (‘19 LDZ Host)University of South Florida (‘19 CWS Host)University of Texas at Austin (‘19 GD Host)Vanderbilt UniversityVirginia TechWashington University in St. Louis

Student Schedule*Schedules may vary by program

6:00am-11:00pm Daily

LDZ Candidates For Admission LDZers aspire to develop their potential, become valued leaders in their communities, and be people who inspire and innovate! We find these individuals through a national and international search for high potential students through schools, alumni, and community organizations.

“We look for bright, spirited young people who definitely plan to enroll in college, want to be around peers like them, and see themselves in leadership roles in the emerging Latino community,” states Gloria de Leon, NHI’s principal architect of the program. “If they have fundamental habits of leadership such as timeliness, good study habits, a positive outlook, and solution-driven attitudes, they have skills that will help them get the most out of the LDZ.”

The Application ProcessSubmitting an online application at NHI’s website, www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org, along with a $20 non-refundable application fee, is the first step. Visit the site, create a username and login, and select “Apply to a Program.” Students, parents, and counselors can contact NHI at 512-357-6137 to ask questions not answered on the website or to gather additional information. The LDZ program requires each participant to have a 3.2/4.0 GPA or better, plan to enroll in college, and maintain a good record of conduct. While NHI maintains a priority deadline for applicants who commit during the fall semester, students can apply to a program until all spots are filled.

Tuition Tuition for the LDZ covers eight days at a college with on-site dorm quarters, a full meal plan, private access to training areas, a college fair exclusively for program participants, a staff:student ratio of one adult to every fifteen students, supplies and materials, a commemorative program T-shirt, and a highly-motivating curriculum. The registration amount is $925.

LDZ AlumniNHI invites its LDZ alumni to return each year as volunteer leaders, guiding the next generation of leaders through their growth experiences. coming back each time to relive and share in the magical experience. The mentors and counselors at LDZ include a range of adult professionals who form a diverse international network, including business leaders, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, higher education officials, clergy members, researchers, and public servants. NHI attracts young people from all perspectives, backgrounds and walks of life who want to start shaping their realities while in high school, and our alumni reflect that ambition. Visit www.nhimagazine.com to see some of our alumni in action.

Student OpinionsLDZ Students ’ Top Five Take-aways

• OVERCOMING FEAR • SPEAKING IN PUBLIC• LEARNING PROTOCOL • MANAGING TIME • BEING PERSUASIVE

96% of LDZers felt the LDZ would help them perform better in school84% of LDZers felt they could apply the LDZ learning principles to their lives86% of LDZers felt it is very or extremely valuable to talk with peers about community issues86% of LDZers felt very or extremely more knowledgeable about how policy ideas become laws92% of LDZers recommend the LDZ to peers

NHI Fundamental #17: I f i t ’s Meant to Be, I t ’s up to Me

We have the capacity to design and initiate plans that give us advantages in life. Invest time in learning, reflecting, improving and sharing best practices. Feeling uncomfortable at times means you’re in a growth mode. A new mindset means new results. Find ways to get things done better, faster, and more crea-tively. There are more opportunities than problems if you believe in yourself!

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