More than 150 students ‘lit up and engaged’ for NHI’s capstone program in Houston

The Collegiate World Series (CWS) is more than just a leadership program; NHI’s capstone program is a transformative experience that empowers participants to envision their futures through purpose and inquiry.

This summer, the 2025 Texas CWS brought together more than 150 participants from across the U.S. and Latin America at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, a longtime partner and host of NHI events. Across five days, students faced new challenges, engaged in a new way of learning, and left with confidence in their roles as values-driven leaders in their communities.

Angela Masciale, the program’s co-educational director, reflected on how the shifting social landscape shaped this year’s experience. “Each class joins in a different context. The 2025 participants entered high school during the pandemic, so their understanding of the world is deeply shaped by recent uncertainties,” she said.

She also observed a growing openness among participants. “Vulnerability has increased over time. NHI has always been a vulnerable space, but this year, the students asked thoughtful, complex questions, especially during sessions like the financial aid presentation. They didn’t back down from the hard parts.”

She noted how this vulnerability was a testament to their maturity and investment in their futures.

“They were lit up and engaged, not only in NHI-led sessions, but also those led by partner organizations like St. Thomas,” she added.

Adam Brennan, Texas CWS’s other co-educational director, spoke passionately about the program’s signature Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) method, which encourages students to think critically and solve real-world problems.

“IBL is not just a classroom exercise, it’s a way of life,” he explained. “It teaches participants to ask questions, analyze, and take ownership of their learning.”

He shared how even staff learn and grow through this method. “IBL gives students tools to navigate complex situations beyond NHI, empowering them as lifelong leaders.”

For many participants, the program was a powerful first step into a wider community. Patricio Sierra, from Eagle Pass High School in Eagle Pass, Texas, described his initial nerves turning into belonging.

“I was worried I wouldn’t make friends, but I found a nurturing community that helped me understand NHI’s mission,” he said.

He also appreciated the college prep opportunities with the NHI College Register universities who sent representatives to work with the students.

“Consulting with a Rice University admissions officer helped me tackle essays, résumés, and interviews,” he said. “The chant we created—‘Hoo! Hoo! It’s RICE UNIVERSITY!’—is a memory I’ll always cherish.”

Sofia Zuñiga from Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California, shared the challenges and growth her team experienced with IBL.

“At first, our group struggled with brainstorming and communication, but by the end, we worked efficiently and developed a solid plan. CWS felt more laid-back than other programs, but the process really made us think.”

Diego Garcia, from Great Hearts Academy in San Antonio, Texas, highlighted how the League Series helped him with college applications.

“I’m a perfectionist, so having structured guidance to strengthen my résumé and personal essay was invaluable,” he shared. “Plus, reconnecting with peers and meeting new people made the program amazing.”

Masciale emphasized the importance of staff continuity and community growth.

“Seeing returning staff who began as participants just a few years ago is a dream come true,” she said We want to create more roles to involve alumni and older staff, so the program keeps evolving. I love returning to NHI because the primary goal is to create our community’s future leaders, which are these kids, but also continue to inspire the leaders that went through the program itself. Being part of NHI is an honor. It’s a multifaceted community where staff and participants alike are inspired, challenged, and transformed. We’re building the future, one leader at a time.”

She also expressed hopes for expanding the program’s reach. “The Midwest could definitely have its own CWS soon. The relationships with college coaches and partners are strong and growing.”

The 2025 CWS wasn’t just a five-day experience; it was a multiplier effect. Participants return to their schools and communities empowered to lead and inspire others. As Brennan put it, “The impact is exponential; it’s about equipping leaders for life.”

Top Honors

Valedictorians

• Christine Lizardi, Young Women’s Leadership Academy, San Antonio, Texas
• Francisco Romero, Argo Community High School, Summit, Illinois

League Series Winner

Team Claremont McKenna College

• Danna Becerra, Southeast Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Maya Bouhddadi, East Central High School, San Antonio, Texas
• Fernanda Castillo, YES Prep East End, Houston, Texas
• Samara Estrada, International School of the Americas, San Antonio, Texas
• Carlos Espinoza, YES Prep East End, Houston, Texas
• Michelle García, Central Bucks High School South, Warrington, Pennsylvania
• Lyra Jancachagua, Washington Latin PCS, Washington, D.C.
• Christine Lizardi, Young Women’s Leadership Academy, San Antonio, Texas 
• Ava Olivarez, Weslaco High School, Weslaco, Texas
• Bree Rodriguez, Veterans Memorial Early College High School, Brownsville, Texas
• Lucas Rodriguez, Coppell High School, Coppell, Texas
• Sabrina Ramirez, La Salle College Preparatory High School, Pasadena, California
• Alondra Rivera-Diaz, Alcuin School, Dallas, Texas
• Sofia Zuñiga, Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, California

First Draft Picks

• Baylor University: Odette Dominguez, El Paso High School, El Paso, Texas
• Bucknell University: Lizzie (Sarah) Frost, Advanced Learning Academy, San Antonio, Texas
• Case Western Reserve University: Anacarlota Lopez, Science Academy at South Texas ISD, Pharr, Texas
• Claremont McKenna College: Christine Lizardi, Young Women’s Leadership Academy, San Antonio, Texas
• Colorado State University: Jaidyn Ray, Mary Carroll High School, Corpus Christi
• Rice University: Belén Vasquez, Jack C. Hays High School, Buda, Texas
• Schreiner University: Valeria Rodriguez, Highland Park High School, Highwood, Illinois
• Trinity University: Hanna Bergmann, Jack C. Hays High School, Kyle, Texas
• University of Redlands: Ana Lucia Nieto, Jack C. Hays High School, Kyle, Texas
• University of St. Thomas: Madi Garcia, John Marshall High School, San Antonio, Texas
• Vanderbilt University: Mackenzie Sada-Nieto, Jack C. Hays High School, Kyle, Texas

MVPs

• Baylor University: Aadan Arellano, Marshalltown High School, Marshalltown, Iowa
• Bucknell University: Yalixa Martinez-Diaz, Muhlenberg High School, Laureldale, Pennsylvania
• Case Western Reserve University: José Montenegro, Colegio El Valle, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
• Claremont McKenna College: Christina Lizardi, Young Women’s Leadership Academy, San Antonio, Texas
• Colorado State University: Bella Garza, Stacey Junior/Senior High School, San Antonio, Texas
• Rice University: Elyssa Ortega, Wardlaw-Hartridge School, Perth Amboy, New Jersey
• Schreiner University: Regina Flores, Prepa TEC Saltillo, Saltillo, Coahuila, México
• Trinity University: Pablo Mezquita-Medina, Salesianum, Wilmington, Delaware
• University of Redlands: Rocket King, Young Men’s Leadership Academy, San Antonio, Texas
• University of St. Thomas: Christian Gamboa, YES Prep East End, Houston, Texas
• Vanderbilt University: Francisco Romero, Argo Community High School, Summit, Illinois

Thought Series Winners

Team Plataneros

Senior Mentor: Fernanda Cabrera

• Gabriella Balderas, Talkington School for Young Women Leaders, Lubbock, Texas
• Arely Cosino, IDEA Alamo College Preparatory, Alamo, Texas
• Viel Cruz, Reading High School, Reading, Pennsylvania
• Ana Deynes, Centennial High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Odette Dominguez, El Paso High School, El Paso, Texas
• Ameyali Erebia, Austin High School, Austin, Texas
• Nolan Gors, South Texas ISD Science Academy, Mercedes, Texas
• Daniel Huicochea, Highland Park High School, Highwood, Illinois
• Antonio Jurado, Coronado High School, El Paso, Texas
• Anacarlota Lopez, South Texas ISD Science Academy, Mercedes, Texas
• Elyssa Ortega, Wardlaw-Hartridge School, Perth Amboy, New Jersey
• Stevie Reza, El Paso Leadership Academy, El Paso, Texas
• Angela Tafolla, Weslaco High School, Weslaco, Texas
• Faith Vasquez, Weslaco High School, Donna, Texas
• Belen Vasquez, Jack C. Hays High School, Buda, Texas
• Mackias Ysaac, The Wardlaw+Hartridge School, Edison, New Jersey

Thought Series Major Leaguers

• Addie Almanza, Cedar Ridge High School, Round Rock, Texas
• Anthony Chavez, Marshalltown High School, Marshalltown, Iowa
• Viel Cruz, Reading High School, Reading, Pennsylvania
• Samara Estrada, International School of the Americas, San Antonio, Texas
• Evan Gaitan, Harold T. Branch Academy, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Caro Ruíz, International Baccalaureate Lamar Academy, McAllen, Texas
• Patricio Sierra, Eagle Pass High School, Eagle Pass, Texas
• Estela Vatterott, Venice High School, Venice, California

The Texas CWS was made possible in part by support from the Bezos Family Foundation and State Farm.

This story was written by Piper Davidson.