NHI announces 2022 American LDZ, July 10-17, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

The National Hispanic Institute has announced its latest immersive leadership experience for high school students, the American Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session (American LDZ) will be held near the nation’s capital at St. Mary’s College of Maryland from July 10-17, 2022.

“This will be a program to remember,” said Nicole Nieto, executive vice president of NHI. “St. Mary’s College and NHI are ready to make this experience a powerful one for our LDZ delegates. We’re planning everything from a trip to Washington D.C. to a “beach day” at St. Mary’s College’s private waterfront. St. Mary’s College is the crown jewel of public institutions in Maryland, with an all-honors student curriculum and an incredible campus, and we’re excited to welcome students there for this life-changing eight-day program.”

“As the National Public Honors College, St. Mary’s College offers an honors-level experience in all of our nationally-recognized academic programs and LEAD curriculum,” said David Hautanen Jr., vice president for enrollment management at St. Mary’s College. “As a public institution, we’re proud to partner with NHI members to deliver a first-class experience for NHI youth wanting to learn more about civic participation in a democracy through the LDZ.”

This version of the LDZ — as the program is known to the more than 100,000 alumni who have developed leadership skills through NHI – will only be selecting 150 students from an international group of students, including those who participated in four digital versions of the Great Debate this summer and in 2020.

Though students who have completed the NHI program, the Great Debate, will be first in line for spots, qualified students with a minimal 3.2/4.0 GPA who are currently in 10th or 11th grade will be considered. The deadline for returning students to apply to the 2022 American LDZ and to be admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis — provided they meet the GPA requirements — is Sept. 10.

More program information is available at www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org/LDZ.

“We expect this cohort to fill up fast, as this program offers an in-person experience unique to NHI,” said Chris Nieto, NHI vice president for enrollment management. “We’re expecting a number of students based in the East Coast, as well as international NHIers, to apply.”

The NHI wants to extend a big thank you to the National Forestry Service for their partnership and support in providing funding for the American LDZ.