‘A domino effect’: How NHI’s new generation of mentors are making an impact

Once again, NHI is celebrating National Volunteer Month by gathering stories from a number of volunteers who are giving their time, energy, and knowledge to help advance the organization and mentor younger students.

Here’s our first round of 2026 stories from this impressive generation of young leaders.

Mia Aguinaga

Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois

“In my high school, Marshalltown High School, NHI was not just a ‘once-a-year experience,’” Mia said. “The spirit persisted year-round.” 

She notes that from her first experience as a 2022 Midwest Great Debate participant, she recognized what NHI had to offer her.” 

“I entered the program feeling self‑conscious and unsure of how I measured up to my peers,” she recalls. “Even so, I was motivated to learn because NHI offered an experience unlike anything I had encountered before high school. Stepping out of my comfort zone meant asking for feedback, and it was the service of my JFLs that made this possible. 

“Instead of giving me direct answers, they challenged me with thoughtful questions that pushed me to trust my own thinking and grow as a young leader. Their patience, professionalism, and genuine investment in my development shaped the start of my NHI journey. Seeing how their service empowered me to build confidence and expand my perspective made me realize how meaningful it is to support others in that same way. It was their example that inspired me to volunteer and give back.” 

And that has translated to the mentorship she’s been able to provide to Midwest NHIers. 

“I’ve found that I’m able to give students encouragement, curiosity, and a sense of value by building relationships through small commonalities and intentional conversations that help them see their potential as thinkers and leaders,” she said. “At the same time, I gain so much from the experience. Young people, like the students and participants, constantly remind me how impactful simple presence can be, and every year I watch individuals transform into a community through their conversations, support for one another, and the spaces we share. Seeing their personalities and perspectives grow together motivates me to keep showing up for the causes I believe in and gives me hope for the long-term impact that young thinkers, leaders, and volunteers will make.” 

You can learn more about Mia’s NHI journey on the most recent NHI Podcasts episode. 

Michelle Castro

YES Prep East End, Houston, Texas

“As a student who entered NHI with zero confidence or belief that I would ever step out of my comfort zone, one of the most important stops I had to make in my own personal NHI journey was to realize just because I was shy, it didn’t mean I couldn’t have a voice,” said Michelle, reflecting on the 2024 Texas Great Debate where she made the Elite Eight as a Mock Trial competitor. 

“It was a bumpy road, but I had to stop and reflect on how far I had come and how hard I worked,” she added. “Even though I believed this journey was just about getting the job done, I had to stop and think about my purpose. I was chosen to join for a reason and someone saw my potential, and I had to stop and decide what kind of legacy, impact, and memories I would leave behind and how I wanted to step into the next phase of my life and career.” 

She notes that her approach going into that first program — far different from the embrace of NHI she’d eventually arrive at — is what’s inspired her to volunteer as Mock Trial director for the Houston region and staff summer programs.  

“After completing my first NHI program, I knew I didn’t want anyone to stay with the same mindset I entered NHI with,” she recalls. “I entered with the mindset that I was just going to work and be done with the program, and I would never make friends or find my voice, until I found my transformational moment where I found my voice. That was a mindset I did not want to return to, and I realized I could do something about it by helping more people find their voices, and they could help others too — a domino effect.” 

She’s found the experience to be rewarding for her. 

“I have been able to form long-lasting bonds and be able to reach people’s hearts,” she shared. “My experiences have been completely unforgettable and enjoyable, seeing the participants grow every single meeting. Every Sunday, through workshops, mentorship, and exercises, no matter how challenging it was, I feel that I have been able to help people unlock their potential and passions. This commitment has been extremely emotionally rewarding and has contributed to my personal growth knowing I was able to help people find their voice, even after believing at first that I would never find my own.”

Elanna Dominguez

Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Austin, Texas

Within weeks of participating in the 2025 Texas Great Debate, Elanna took a crucial step in her NHI journey by volunteering at the 2025 Texas Ambassador Great Debate. 

“After just the first two weeks of trainings, I knew I wanted to come back and be a part of NHI in whatever way I posssibly could,” she recalled. “And after my Great Debate, and seeing how the volunteers worked so hard to create these amazing experiences for us, I wanted to go back immediately. When my head coach messaged asking for people to help train a new team of Ambassador students on the fly, I jumped at that opportunity. I wanted to be to new participants what my coaches were to me.” 

Describing that episode as life-altering, she noted, “Watching participants grow in just a few short weeks, and watching myself and my fellow coaches grow with them, was an unbelievable experience. It made me realize just how much I was capable of, and how much anyone who walks into NHI is capable of too.” 

Now, as the director of Extemporaneous Speaking for NHI@Austin, Elanna is one of a growing group of LASA students serving as mentors for a region becoming more impressive year by year. 

“I adapted to different learning styles and encouraged each participant to see themselves and their work in a way that would help them grow, even within a short time frame,” she said of her past mentoring experiences. “Seeing their confidence build and their excitement for NHI grow reminded me of my own experience and reinforced why being able to volunteer matters so much to me. I got to grow with them, share their excitement, and enjoy myself throughout the entire experience.

“At the same time, volunteering has strengthened my leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while pushing me to take on new challenges,” she added. “Ultimately, this experience has given me a strong sense of purpose by allowing me to help others while grow while continuing to grow myself, and I couldn’t be more grateful for all of the experiences that I’ve gotten to participate in.” 

Lorena Faz

Tecnologico de Monterrey Campus Saltillo, Saltillo, Mexico

While still relatively early in her NHI journey, Lorena volunteered at the 2022 California Sol Great Debate, and found it transformative. 

“It was an experience that truly impacted me because I arrived with certain expectations, but I left feeling surprised and inspired by the passion, commitment, and love that everyone puts into everything they do within the program,” she recalled. “From the very beginning, I felt a unique energy where everyone worked with a shared purpose and genuine dedication toward the students.

“I also found a sense of family within that program, connecting with people in a very meaningful and authentic way,” she added. “I learned so much from the participants, as each of them brought different perspectives that helped me grow. I really enjoyed meeting new people and being part of that environment. This role helped me develop important skills such as leadership and communication, which have been essential for my personal growth.” 

As with many NHI volunteers, her experience as a program participant inspired her to connect with students as a mentor. 

“The staff members had a very strong impact on me because they not only guided me throughout the program, but also made me feel capable, heard, and valued,” she said. “Thanks to them, I had a very positive experience that left me with meaningful lessons and memories that I still carry with me today. That support and connection inspired me to come back and give the same to other students. I was especially motivated by seeing how volunteers dedicate their time and energy to help others grow and I wanted to become that kind of person who inspires, supports, and makes a positive difference. I also felt that my journey with NHI did not end as a participant, but that I could continue growing and contributing from a different role within a community that means so much to me.” 

Mateo Frausto

Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, Texas

“After my experience at the 2024 Texas Great Debate, I felt a sadness that most NHIers would call Post-Program Depression,” Mateo reflected. “I was sad that it was over because it was nothing like I had experienced before … On the bus ride home, I heard about an opportunity to staff and train debaters, just like how I was trained, and I instantly knew that I was going to do it because I wanted others to be able to share in this amazing experience, too. 

“I also wanted to volunteer because I’m a very helpful person and I love to help people so volunteering gave me an opportunity to help and participate and continue to be involved in NHI,” he added. “I know NHI isn’t all about competition, but NHI@SA has been trying to win the Silver Cup at the Great Debate for a long time and since we haven’t won it yet, I also wanted to come back and help train hopefully a team that would win the Cup.” 

Involvement in NHI@SA has allowed Mateo what he characterizes as a “safe space” where he gets to interact with friends while teaching and leading.

“I can decompress after a long week of school and know that I am doing good and helping better this world by helping mentor the next generation,” he noted. “I have been able to give students a friend and mentor. I have met so many different people from everywhere around my city just through volunteering through NHI, and I have made so many new acquaintances and friends. I think I get a lot out of volunteering, whether that be networking, meeting new people, making new friends, and just knowing that after all this there are people that genuinely want to see you succeed and that they care for you.” 

Amelia Garza Garza

Prepa Tec Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Mexico

As a competitor in the 2025 Texas Great Debate, making history as a member of the first team from Monterrey to compete in the annual event, Amelia made the Final Four in Extemporaneous Speaking, but found the ultimate prize elusive. 

“I made it to the Final Four but didn’t take home a trophy,” she recalled. “ At first, I felt terrible, and I thought I had wasted my parents’ money on a trip that didn’t “pay off.” But once I got home to Monterrey, I realized I had changed. I was more confident and tougher. I learned that the real “prize” wasn’t the award; it was the person I became during the competition. That loss taught me that even if you don’t win, the growth you get is worth every cent.” 

The experience also inspired her to volunteer with NHI even though she’s just starting her journey in the program, seeing the phrase, “Give back to your community” as a responsibility rather than a slogan, and seeing herself as part of a global Latino community crossing borders. 

“When I volunteer, my goal isn’t just to coach winners; it’s to foster a space for radical change,” she said. “I want students to feel safe enough to take risks. If they don’t get the result they

wanted, I want to help them use that experience to grow. We focus too much on the trophy and not enough on the transformation. I strive to provide them with a new vision for their own potential, helping them see themselves as capable leaders before they even believe it. It’s about creating an environment where the priority is the student’s personal evolution, ensuring they leave better than they arrived.” 

Audrey Nguyen-Carlisle

Westchester Academy for International Studies, Houston, Texas

Audrey attended the 2025 Texas Great Debate with expectations about what it would be that were then transformed days later. 

“When I first joined NHI, I viewed it simply as a summer program, something that would strengthen my resume and prepare me for the future,” she said. “However, one of the most important turning points in my journey was realizing that NHI was shaping far more than just my resume, it was shaping an entirely new me. My place in the program allowed myself to reflect  on the privilege I had been given not just to attend, but to grow, to lead, and to find my voice. 

“With the support of my Houston region family, I learned to step into spaces with confidence and purpose. They helped me understand that my voice carries power and that I have the ability to belong in any room I walk into. With that I shifted my perspective, moving myself to commit to creating the sense of belonging and opportunity to other future youth leaders, regardless of their background, financial situational, or personal doubts.” 

That included a commitment to volunteering. 

“After the Great Debate, I left with a feeling I couldn’t ignore which was that I had to come back and give to the next generation of changemakers,” she said. “Watching my coaches and what they poured into us opened my eyes to what a true support system looks like. Their belief in me created a ripple effect that I wanted to pass on to others. During my time in Extemporaneous Speaking, I didn’t fully grasp the depth of those small, intense rounds until I achieved a perfect score of 45. That moment wasn’t just about achievement, it was about realization of the growth I had from the first time I ever wrote a speech, my purpose, and my why.” 

Valeria Sánchez Montes

ITESO (Instituto Tecnológico y Estudios Superiores del Occidente), Tlaquepaque, Mexico

Valeria became part of NHI history last summer, coaching the team from Guadalajara that debuted at the Texas Ambassador Great Debate at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio — one of two teams from Mexico that competed in four-day Great Debates against Texas teams for the first time. 

“After four years as an NHIer, I consider the most important part of my journey to be the opportunity to serve as a head coach for my region, Guadalajara,” she said. “Bringing NHI to my country and to people who care about our community has been incredibly meaningful to me. I want to continue creating opportunities for Mexico’s youth to access these leadership spaces that have shaped the way I see the world.” 

As a longtime and decorated NHIer — making All-State in Oratory at the 2022 Midwest Great Debate, Best Debater in the Senate at the 2023 American LDZ, and an MVP at the 2024 Texas CWS — Valeria knows what success in a program looks like, but also knows the value goes beyond accolades. 

“I had never thought of myself as a leader, much less a good debater,” she said upon arriving at the Great Debate. “I came into the program thinking I had no chance of making it far, but the staff’s energy sparked a motivation I had never felt before. When the program ended, I felt like a new person. I felt like I could lead my community and that my voice was capable of making change around me. I realized this inspiration had been passed on to me through the staff, which made me want to become that kind of beacon for others too.” 

That work has also shown Valeria a different dimension of NHI involvement that she’s found educational. 

“I think the best part of volunteering is being able to share your knowledge with different generations and to witness the growth that members of your community are capable of achieving in a single program,” she said.