Two NHI graduating seniors featured in Austin podcast focused on nonprofits

Two NHI graduating seniors who have been involved in preparing the Austin team for the 2025 Texas Great Debate — commencing next Thursday at Austin College in Sherman — were featured on a podcast highlighting nonprofit organizations with ties to the capital of Texas.

Isabella Matamoros and Lucas Castillo-West, who completed their final day of high school at Liberal Arts and Science Academy on Thursday and officially graduate next Tuesday — are both preparing for college life as Bulldogs, with Matamoros going to the University of Georgia to major in International Affairs, and Castillo-West going to Yale University to major in Ethics, Politics, and Economics.

They were featured on Escape Into a Cause, a podcast hosted by Stephanie Dyer that highlights a different nonprofit from the Austin area each week, and also includes a conversation Dyer has with a co-host. In this episode, they discussed first-generation college students before explaining NHI’s leadership education programs for high-achieving high school students.

The conversation with these two NHIers includes their stories about developing as young leaders through NHI programs, how they’ve helped grow the Austin region through their volunteer work, the networks they’ve developed. They also talk about the programs’ impact on them as well as the leadership they’re exhibiting within their school via special projects putting their NHI-honed skill sets to use.

In her show description, Dyer wrote, “NHI is all about building Latino leaders—early. With a 98% college enrollment rate and 67% going on to grad school, it’s making a huge impact across the U.S. and the Americas. Through programs like the Great Debate, NHI empowers youth with skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership. Many alumni return to mentor the next generation, fostering a cycle of empowerment and service. NHI isn’t just preparing students for college—it’s cultivating the next generation of changemakers.”

We encourage you to listen to the conversation!