Truly international team wins at International CWS

A group of students coached by a mentor from Florida International University, and honoring the “International” part of the name by involving students from three different nations, won the college competition in this week’s International Collegiate World Series.

The International CWS, hosted for the first time by Saint Leo University in the Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area, has attracted more than 100 students to its campus for the five-day program. The curriculum focuses on the college application process, develops the students’ awareness of inquiry-based learning, and prepares them for civic engagement while they pursue college degrees.

The winning team included:

Eldyn Castillo, Katy, Texas, Cy Springs High School
Daniel Guerra, San Antonio, Texas, Central Catholic High School
Jasmarie Hernandez-Canuelas, San Antonio, Texas, Sandra Day O’Connor High School
Xavier Rodriguez Herrmann, Cedar Park, Texas, Vista Ridge High School
Alexia Nyiri, Valrico, Fla., Durant High School
Leslie Yareth Padilla, Center, Colo., Center High School
Alexis Ruesga, Delano, Calif., Cesar E. Chavez High School
Korbin Joel San Miguel, San Antonio, Texas, Antonian College Preparatory
Maria Blas Urrutia, St. George School, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Maria Guadalupe Ramos, Highland Park, Ill., Highland Park High School
Alec Dewar, Dallas, Texas, St. Mark’s School
Mizriam Hernandez, Waukegan, Ill, Warren Township High School
Ariana Isabel Porras, Brookfield, Ill., Riverside Brookfield High School
Juliete Leblanc, Panama, Panama, Colegio Brader
Nanci Sarmiento, Highwood, Ill., Highland Park High School

“I’m really happy with it,” said Dr. William J. Lennox, Jr., president of Saint Leo University. “The young folks I’ve talked to are pretty amazing young people. The Benedictine values that we ascribe to are more community-related. I think that ties very well with NHI.”

“We look for students that have what we call grit, that hang in there,” he added. “Your program develops that in young people, so I think it’s a good match overall.”

Students participating in the program described struggles with the college application process that the CWS was helping them address.

“If it wasn’t for NHI, I don’t think I would have much hope when applying to college,” said Robert Irizarry, Leto HS, Tampa, Fla.

“What I learned about the essay process for colleges is that even though I have known myself for my whole life, I find it very hard to write about myself,” said Melissa Vasquez, Challenge Early College HS, Houston, Texas.

“I thought I knew what I was doing for college,” said Teresa Medellin, Incarnate Word HS, San Antonio, Texas. “Now I realize that I had no clue. I feel so much more prepared.”

The International CWS continues through Sunday.

This program is made possible in part by sponsorship from DishLATINO, State Farm, and Union Pacific.