NHI renews its connection with Concordia University at trinational Texas LDZ program

More than 200 students, hailing from across the United States as well as Mexico and Panama, came to Austin, Texas, to attend a very special edition of the Texas Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session from July 21-28.

The flagship program of the National Hispanic Institute followed the blueprint that the original Texas LDZ did in 1983: Using both the Texas State Capitol and Concordia University Texas as host sites, students went through an immersive, eight-day public policy exercise which allows participants to embark on a transformative personal experience while becoming part of a community of diverse yet like students.

Michelle Saenz-Rodriguez, the National Hispanic Institute’s Board of Directors Chair and a longtime Co-Educational Director of the Texas LDZ, observed, “The 2024 Texas LDZ was an incredible journey of growth, empowerment, and discovering the true potential of young leaders. With both American and international students participating, it showcased the diversity and unity that drives positive leadership narratives across borders.”

Cindy Martinez, Vice President of Student Services for Concordia University Texas, said, “At CTX, we believe in community. As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution, we know the importance of community and I welcomed the students to enjoy the campus as their home for the week. It’s a beautiful campus where they would be met with friendly faces, a peaceful environment, and surrounded by nature.”

She added, “It was our absolute pleasure to host NHI, as we have a longstanding history, and to see students from all over the U.S., Mexico, and Panama visit our campus and enjoy our space.”

That longstanding history, of course, spans more than 40 years, with the original flagship NHI program starting at Concordia’s Central Austin campus. Even with that long history, this was the first time Concordia had hosted an NHI program since moving to its Northwest Austin campus in 2008.

Addie Almanza, from Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock, Texas, who started as a Lieutenant Governor candidate and ended up as the Best Orator winner among the attorneys, was appreciative of the community she found at Texas LDZ.

“I’ve grown up mostly in a white household, and so getting to be part of that Latino community that’s very welcoming was amazing,” she said. “Getting to meet people who’ve had such unique experiences, and people who were welcoming and willing to teach me, especially because I don’t speak a lot of Spanish, and I don’t know a lot about the culture. A lot of people were willing to show me and tell me about things, and that it made me feel like a new part of me was getting to experience new things.”

Top elected officials from the program included:

• Governor: Regina Flores, Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Saltillo, Saltillo, Mexico
• Lieutenant Governor: Lorenzo Coconi Santoni, Academia Internacional Boquete, Alto Boquete, Panamá
• Speaker of the House: Anthony Chavez Ordaz, Marshalltown High School, Marshalltown, Iowa
• Supreme Court Chief Justice: Tony Ortega, Vandegrift High School, Leander, Texas

Award winners for the program include:

Best Author of a Resolution (House)

Kaylen Macedo, Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Dallas, Texas

Outstanding Legislator (House)

Paloma Aleman, Incarnate Word Academy, Houston, Texas

Best Debater (House)

Jasmine Trevino, Mathis High School, Mathis, Texas

Most Persuasive Representative

Ben Samek, Los Altos High School, Los Altos, California

Most Distinguished Representative

Allison Rosalez-Garces, Mathis High School, Mathis, Texas

Best Author of a Resolution (Senate)

José Mira, Academia Internacional Boquete, Alto Boquete, Panamá

Outstanding Legislator (Senate)

Caleb Lawhon, El Paso High School, El Paso, Texas

Best Debater (Senate)

Derek Rodriguez, Pearsall High School, Pearsall, Texas

Most Persuasive Senator

Sebi Green, Saint Joseph Academy, Brownsville, Texas

Most Distinguished Senator

Hannah Baudains, Academia Internacional Boquete, Alto Boquete, Panamá

Best Orator (Attorney)

Addie Almanza, Cedar Park High School, Round Rock, Texas

Most Outstanding Member of the Supreme Court

Alexus Hanlon, San Marcos High School, San Marcos, Texas

Top Attorney Team

Gabriel Martinez, McAllen High School, McAllen, Texas and Pedro Corelli Carrara, South Texas ISD Science Academy, Mercedes, Texas

Most Promising Leaders

Alejandro Martinez Diaz, Coronado High School, El Paso, Texas; Christine Lizardi, Young Woman’s Leadership Academy, San Antonio, Texas

Ricky Miranda Award

Evan Gaitan, Harold T. Branch Academy for Career and Technical Education, Corpus Christi, Texas

The Texas LDZ was made possible in part by support from Walmart.