Shaping thoughtful leaders: 2025 Rocky Mountain CWS inspires new ways of thinking

“You’ve done hard work, meaningful work, and fun work,” said JT Smith, the Dean of Admissions at Regis University.

That message resonated with more than 175 rising seniors who had just completed the 2025 edition of the Rocky Mountain Collegiate World Series, held June 29 to July 2 and hosted by Denver’s Jesuit university.

As the culminating experience of NHI’s three-part high school leadership series, the CWS brings together students from across the U.S. and Latin America for a journey through the college admissions process. Utilizing a baseball theme to bring an element of sport and fun, the capstone program features umpires, drafts, team chants, and friendly competition, framing college prep as a dynamic challenge where students bring essays, résumés, and interviews to the field. 

The program is divided into two core components: the League Series and the Thought Series. In the League Series, students are drafted by representatives from participating colleges and universities, including members of the NHI College Register, to form teams and tackle admissions-related challenges.

This year, those coaches hailed from the following College Register member institutions:

• Adams State University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Colorado State University
• George Washington University
• Metro State University
• Occidental College
• Purdue University
• Regis University
• Vanderbilt University

The Thought Series then shifts the focus to inquiry-based learning (IBL). The program featured a college fair, allowing participants to engage directly with admissions officers and college representatives. 

“I really enjoyed the college fair part because I’ve been struggling with essay writing, and that was the break I needed,” said Sami Hanbali, a participant from Coronado High School in El Paso, Texas.

Many students at the program participated in one or both of the preceding NHI programs, the Great Debate and LDZ, but for some CWS was their first experience. 

One first-time student, Ryland Tamayo from Winter Springs High School in Winter Springs, Fla., said, “The community was really inclusive. When I got here, I was alone, but people saw me and took me in. I learned to take initiative; sometimes when people are quiet, you have to stand up and lead a little bit. I feel like I really don’t do that often,
 so it was a new thing I learned, to stick up with other people and help.”

Hanbali, attending his third NHI program, described the IBL process as “thought-provoking” and making him reason “in a way I’ve never had to do before.” He added, “I actually thought it was fun. It was definitely stressful, especially the IBL, but in the end, I enjoyed it and think it was worth it.”

Isis Rodrigo, a first-time NHIer and a student from Tecnológico de Monterrey, originally from Cuautitlán Izcalli, México, added, “I learned that if you want to be a good leader and to grow, you must meet a lot of people and listen to them, and actually hear what they have to say. This was a wonderful experience, and I’m glad I got to come to NHI.”

During the closing ceremony, Co-Education Director Dr. Julie Leos emphasized the developmental arc of NHI’s programs: “At the Great Debate, you learn to navigate complex ideas; at LDZ, to work with your peers; and at CWS, through the IBL process, you gain a mental model that will help you look into the future and guide your life decisions for years to come.” 

Omar Yanar, the program’s other Co-Education Director, encouraged students to turn inward: “At CWS, you are challenged to look within yourself, to think about your story, and to share that story with others. You’re introduced to IBL to help navigate the next few years of your life.”

In his opening remarks, John F. Lopez, former District Attorney for Austin and longtime NHI leader, described the Thought Series as “intellectually challenging,” helping students to think “in a way [they] hadn’t had the chance to do before” compared to earlier programs like the Great Debate or LDZ. 

“This is a chance for us to all work together, and an opportunity for you to test your skills in different ways,” he said, adding that students became more confident using the IBL process to navigate complex scenarios and make thoughtful, values-based decisions. “What they are really learning is community leadership.” 

After the program concluded, Lopez praised the new host site, describing Regis as welcoming and well-equipped to support the 176 students in attendance, making it one of the largest CWS programs to date. Lopez pointed to the graduation ceremony as a highlight. 

“It’s always great to see students cheering each other on. Newcomers were welcomed by returning participants, creating a real sense of belonging,” he said. “One thing about this particular group is they really seemed to build relationships as they went. You had groups coming in–a large number of students from New Mexico who had done the LDZ together–and we had students coming from Colorado and from Texas who had done programs together. To see these different cohorts come in and start to mesh well with each other was really cool.” 

He emphasized that students from different regions and prior programs found common ground and formed new bonds during the program. 

In his closing address, Smith, who has been with Regis University for nine years, commended the students, saying, “You have set the bar impossibly high for all student leaders who walk through these doors. This is an experience that will stick with you long after you’ve gone home.” He reminded students that leadership isn’t about always having the answers, but about listening with purpose and acting with integrity.

In a memorable close to the program, he announced a generous $35,000 per year renewable scholarship for any student from this year’s CWS cohort who chooses to attend Regis University.

Award Winners and Champions

Valedictorian

Julio Galvan, Crawford High School, San Diego, California

The winning 2025 Rocky Mountain CWS League Series team:

Case Western Reserve University

Coach – Dominica Rollins

Senior Mentor – Madi Messner

Members:

• Bella Elder, Coronado High School, El Paso, Texas
• Samantha Ferguson, Veterans Memorial, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Ilia Flores Toto, Highland High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Mateo Garay, Centennial High School, Las Cruces, New Mexico
• Kai Hawley, Explore Academy, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Kate Johnson, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Jose Martinez-Milland, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, Texas
• Reed Collin Moore, Round Rock High School, Round Rock, Texas
• Ethan Plaza, Mandela International Magnet School, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Isabella Rodriguez, Bishop Gorman High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Calista Sakellakos, El Paso High School, El Paso, Texas
• Caroleena Sanchez, Providence Catholic School, San Antonio, Texas
• Selaya Shannon, Mayfield High School, Las Cruces, New Mexico
• Colette Tracht, West Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Mimi Urzua, South Texas ISD Medical Professions, Olmito, Texas

The winning 2025 Rocky Mountain CWS Thought Series team:

Los Gallos

Senior Mentor – Ramon Enriquez

Members:

• Carlos Aguirre, Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Austin, Texas
• Julliana Summer Brodehl, Palo Verde High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Madeline Mia Cortez, Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Stephanie Echeverría, Centennial High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Daniel Hinojosa, Sharyland High School, Mission, Texas
• Abelardo Larios Hernández, Cristo Rey St. Viator, Las Vegas
• Ava Leigh Leyba, Explore Academy Charter School, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Alexa Loren Martínez, Cornerstone Christian Schools, San Antonio, Texas
• Alejandro Martínez Díaz, Coronado High School, El Paso, Texas
• Rafael Alejandro Monterrosa, CAST Med High School, San Antonio, Texas
• Reed Collin Moore, Round Rock High School, Round Rock, Texas
• Alondra Navarro Martínez, Uplift Summit International Preparatory, Arlington, Texas
• Brayan Agustín Tineo Trujillo, Palo Verde High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Gabriela Sofía Vancil, Valley High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The 2025 Rocky Mountain CWS was made possible in part by support from the Bezos Family Foundation, State Farm, and Sands Cares.

This story was written by Piper Davidson.