CWS students take on steep challenges at Celebracion 2018 competition

Of the three cohorts at Celebración 2018, the Collegiate World Series group had the most difficult task. Like the other students competing at the annual November gathering for future Latino leaders, the CWS cohort had to generate branding — but they also had to create a plan for activating the brand, placing it on a whole other level.

“These particular students were dealt the most difficult challenge, and stepped up to the plate,” said Marc Nieto, who served as CWS educational director for the Celebración 2018 tournament. “They really never complained, accepted the challenge, worked together collaboratively, and began producing some great concepts. I thought it was fun.” Noting that he usually sees students at programs gain confidence and ability as they progress through an NHI program, he observed, “I feel like these students already came in able to compete and perform at a high level.”

“They did a good job of being creative,” he added, “and finding different channels to market and convey their message that strengthened their brand.”

The winning team, Roots, asked the question, “What possible force can connect half a billion people?” — before discussing the importance of the Spanish language and using clothing to reinforce the importance language, even and especially for young children just beginning to master language.

The top three teams were:

3rd place, Evolve

Joel Aguirre, All Hallows HS, Bronx, NY

Amanda Berroa, Teaneck High School, Teaneck, NJ

Porsha Castillo, IDEA Pharr, Pharr, TX

Frida Garza, IDEA Pharr, Monte Alto, TX

Rudys Luciano, Teaneck HS, Teaneck, NJ

Nikole Myers, Veterans Memorial HS, Corpus Christi, TX

Rubi Rivas, Westtown School, West Chester, PA

Elijah Vega, Westtown School, West Chester, PA

2nd place, Cultivacción

Graciela Blandon, Coronado HS, El Paso, TX

Reilly Garcia, Leander HS, Leander, TX

Nicolas Gonzales, El Paso HS, El Paso, TX

Robert Gonzalez, Xavier HS, Pequannock, NJ

Sofia Hernandez, Legacy Christian Academy, San Antonio, TX

Natasha Reyes, Eastwood HS, El Paso, TX

Francisco Rios, International Leadership of Texas School, Arlington, TX

Isabella Sada Nieto, Hays HS, Kyle, TX

1st place, Roots

Juliana Chapa, IDEA Toros, Edinburg, TX

Isaiah Franco, Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School, Newtown, PA

Allison Frickel, IDEA Quest, McAllen, TX

Humberto Guerra, IDEA Quest, Edinburg, TX

Angela Munoz Torres, IDEA Donna, Mission, TX

Juan Carlos Núñez, John F. Kennedy American School of Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico

Paolina Sada Nieto, Hays HS, Kyle, TX

Mia Ybáñez, IDEA Quest, McAllen, TX

Celebracion 2018 was presented in part by State Farm.