‘The only real limit is ourselves’: NHI volunteers, inspiring others while gaining inspiration

During National Volunteer Month, the National Hispanic Institute honors a select group of its phenomenal volunteers who help run summer programs and train students for Great Debate competitions.

Earlier this month, we featured a group of eight students based in Mexico, Texas, and the Midwest, preparing students for crucial steps in their NHI journeys. In this installment, we feature eight additional students who have contributed to NHI’s legacy of leadership education.

Isabella Cruz

Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Austin, Texas

After experiencing her first NHI program, the 2025 Texas Great Debate as part of the Austin team, Isabella wanted to come back as soon as possible. 

“I had learned so much about myself such as finding my voice, building confidence in myself, and realizing the impact I can have when I speak up,” she said. “I had built such a strong community at the Great Debate and had never had anything like this.” 

When Austin wanted to take a team the Texas Ambassador Great Debate at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio later that summer, she says she was instantly on board to recruit and train students. 

“I learned it was a lot harder than it seemed sometimes, but that pushed me a little more,” she said. “It helped me learn about the other side of NHI and gave me a deeper understanding of the effort, teamwork and leadership that goes into making the programs possible.” 

She also drew inspiration from those who led her through her first experience. 

“When I was training for my Great Debate, my extemp coach and head coach were always so supportive and really wanted me to succeed and I really want to help keep that sense of family and encouragement going in the NHI community,” she said. “I believe that having someone believe in you can push you to become the best version of yourself, especially when speaking up, feels difficult. I’ve experienced that myself, being able to volunteer and help coach the next generation and create that same supportive and empowering environment for others is something that really matters to me.” 

Cesar Franco

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico

“One of the most important stops in my NHI journey was my LDZ election day at the California LDZ in 2021,” Cesar recalls. “I had just finished my freshman year, and I was one of the youngest people there, so I was already pretty nervous because of that. On top of that, I wasn’t very confident in my English at the time, so the language barrier made it even more intimidating for me. When I decided to run for Senate, my opponent went first and gave a super well prepared speech, full of stats and data.” 

He thought he’d already lost the election in that moment, so gave an off-the-cuff speech. 

“I talked about perseverance, being tercos, especially as Latinxs, and about not staying stuck in comfort or conformism,” he recalled. “I honestly don’t remember exactly what I said, but I remember it being real and everything came out of my heart. Afterward, a lot of people came up to me saying that they related to what I said, and that’s when it hit me. I realized that I do have a voice, I do have ideas, and I have the right to speak them out, no matter my language or my background.” 

From this experience, he learned something valuable that’s stuck with him throughout his time at NHI

“At the end of the day, the only real limit is ourselves,” he said. “If we believe in it, si nos la creemos, we’re capable of doing great things and creating our own opportunities.” 

Now in college, Cesar remains an engaged NHI volunteer, aiming to create the best possible experience for his students. 

“My experience volunteering has been honestly really meaningful, both for what I can give and what I get back from it,” he said. “Beyond the communication skills, public speaking, and all those technical tools, I think the most important thing I to give students is self-awareness. I try to help them realize where they are as individuals, understand their value, and recognize their talents and capabilities. A lot of them already have so much potential; they just need someone to help them see it.” 

Brianna Morales Lam

Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada

When thinking back on an NHI moment that helped steer her toward volunteering, she thinks back to the second day of her California Sol Great Debate experience this past summer. 

“I was nervous because I was always the quiet kid who could never get more than a 0 in a presentation because of her fear of public speaking,” she said, before noting that she drew confidence from a mentor at the program as well as her fellow students, and was able to speak up and participate where she hadn’t before. 

“I could come up to her with doubts or fears about messing up my words or confusing both languages,” she recalls of the mentor at California Sol. “She would say encouraging words such as, ‘You just have to try your best,’ ‘You got this, and ‘You can do this.’ I was scared to even share ideas, and with her helping me and supporting me into getting comfortable with speaking up, I turned out to do better than I would’ve imagined.” 

Now inspired to volunteer, to help other students finding it challenging to speak up, Brianna is able to take some of the initial lessons she’s learned from those who worked with her to newer students in the Las Vegas region — which, though relatively young compared to other more established regions, is doing well in developing young leaders. 

“So far, I’ve been able to talk personally to the kids interested in starting their NHI journey and speaking at some meeting, giving speeches about my experience and why I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to go the Great Debate and now continue my NHI journey,” she said regarding recruiting. 

“I have noticed their enthusiasm when it comes to help the new people coming in to NHI,” she said of Las Vegas leadership, “and the warmth they have when they speak.” 

Emma Moreno

Mary Carroll High School, Corpus Christi, Texas

Emma was used to doing things on her own, but then came the 2025 Texas Ambassador Great Debate, and her Cross Examination category required her to work with a partner. 

“Throughout my time in NHI, I realized the importance of having others around you to help,” she said, noting that despite the experience taking her out of her comfort zone, “it made me realize how truly important it is to step out of what you’re used to and comfortable with, as it opens the door to many opportunities.” 

Working with Corpus Christi students, Emma has been able to draw from her own recent experiences with the Great Debate to help students preparing for that stage of their journey. 

“The way I was able to see growth within my self and even see those around me grow is a big part of what made me want to volunteer,” she said. “All the practices and bonding moments with those around me where what truly made me want to volunteer. Going to the Great Debate truly solidified being a volunteer for me as it showed everything I worked for truly had such an important purpose and impact, and I wanted to give that experience and feeling to someone else which is why I became a volunteer.

“My experience volunteering has honestly been a challenge, but while it may be a challenge, it has been very rewarding,” she added. “It’s very rewarding to see these kids go through exactly what I’ve already been through and I especially hope they are the best of the best. Through what I’m doing, I’ve been able to see the kids slowly grow within themselves. I feel as if I’m going to get the satisfaction of knowing all of my effort and work is truly for the best and is a big impact in shaping the next generation.” 

Mariel Orozco Nuño

Instituto de Ciencias, Zapopan, Mexico

“When I was recruited for the 2023 Midwest Great Debate, I was far from considering myself a leader,” Mariel recalled, noting that starting with those who recruited her, many believed in her ability to lead. “I have met a lot of people in my NHI journey, people who I admire and respect, people who believed in me. Now it’s my turn to believe in myself, in my capacities, talents, and abilities that I must keep improving in order to behave like a stakeholder.”

Specifically crediting Rodrigo Rosales, Margil Sanchez, and Andrea Morales, she notes that they were responsible for fostering a nurturing atmosphere and providing students with “the safe space to believe in ourselves while we created a family.” 

In tracking her growth through all three NHI summer leadership programs, she determined that she had what it took to lead and to inspire others. 

“After my Great Debate, I wanted to come back right away. After my first program, something woke up in me, and even though I didn´t know what it was that called me to volunteer, I followed that call, and I am so glad I did,” she recalled. “As a volunteer, I have the responsibility to share a little of what NHI has given me to a room full of strangers, and to make them realize the opportunity to participate in a program is an open door that they might choose to take, or not. Even though it certainly is challenging and frightening, it is one of my favorite parts of the process: seeing the curiosity wake up.” 

She cites another phrase she learned through NHI, “Be comfortable with the uncomfortable,” in guiding her leadership role of bringing a Guadalajara team to the 2025 Texas Ambassador Great Debate, and leading them to a third-place finish. 

“That prize meant so little next to the real win: Being able to watch every single of our participants and staff grow … I am so proud and grateful I got to be part of that process. Now that I see them as volunteers or as friends, it is evident that a flame has risen within them, and they are making great things.” 

Sophia Tabuenca

Vista Ridge High School, Cedar Park, Texas

Sophia had visions of doing well at the 2025 Texas Great Debate representing Austin, but then didn’t make the Sweet Sixteen round as she’d hoped. 

“This experience of failure immediately made me think that I somehow had to do better and try again,” she said. “Since I couldn’t do the program again, I figured I would try to help make the next group of participants be super successful and really enjoy their program.” 

After her first NHI experience – and even during it – Sophia knew just how she wanted to make a difference for other students in the Austin region. 

“All throughout my Great Debate, I knew I really wanted to be a coach,” she said, seeking volunteer opportunities toward that goal, before landing a spot as a Mock Trial coach. “When I heard back that I got the exact role that I applied for, I was really excited. Getting this role helped me realize that when I put in the work, I can achieve my goals! Now I am so excited to keep putting in that same level of hard work to be the best assistant coach that I cam, and I really aspire to help all the people going into the Great Debate this year to have the same experience as I did.” 

Sophia describes the environment of being part of the Austin region as “great and encouraging.” 

“Even during hard times, like the recruitment process and all the different challenges that come with volunteering, it has been a great learning experience. I think that I have been able to give students a feeling of belonging, and I have been very encouraging throughout the work that I have done.” 

Miyu Tomita

Coronado High School, El Paso, Texas

“Through NHI, I was able to come out of my shell and I had a lot more leadership than I ever thought I would have, and NHI helped me the most with that,” Miyu said. “During LDZ, the most inspiring part was being in a room full of people who want to succeed, pulling you up with them. There is not a lot that build character like NHI does.” 

Having been a participant in both the Great Debate and the LDZ, Miyu knows that the people guiding the curriculum are critical to what students get out of it. 

“I think trainers that we get can either make or break the experience,” she said. “As a trainee, I always looked up to my trainers and really admired them. The trainers was a massive part of what prompted me to come back and share my advice and what I learned at my Great Debate and make the next group of NHIers even better than the previous group. From my experience, my trainers were amazing and really supportive; they were my biggest part of what made the experience so memorable and what I loved so much about NHI.” 

That inspired Miyu to volunteer with El Paso students, and she has an eye toward staffing two different 2026 summer programs. 

“Most people come into NHI knowing little to nothing about it,” she said. “The trainees have to work hard, but the trainers have to work even harder and honor the commitment they made … They make leaders of our generation. “The standard that the trainers set is high, and it’s lots of long hours of training and hard work for the trainees, but once you feel yourself on that stage … there is no other feeling that can replicate that.”

Audrina Valdez

Westchester Academy for International Studies, Houston, Texas

In progressing through her high school journey, and now being committed to Texas A&M University in the fall, Audrina has found volunteering an important component of her NHI journey. 

“I progressed from participating in NHI programs to volunteering because I saw how welcoming and supportive the NHI community was,” she said. “It became a safe space for me to grow as a leader, and I wanted to give back by helping others do the same. As I continued volunteering, I developed a passion for mentoring students and guiding them in discovering their leadership potential.” 

While she’s enjoyed seeing the students she worked with grow in confidence and public speaking skills — skills directly developed in Great Debate preparations — she’s also been impressed with the critical thinking skills they’ve achieved, noting that the students she’s working with are now “leading with purpose.” 

“I love helping them develop leadership skills that extend beyond NHI programs, and encouraging them to apply these abilities in their extracurriculars and academic pursuits,” she observed. “It’s inspiring to watch them become high-achieving students who use their leadership to create meaningful change in their communities.” 

She’s also already thinking beyond her upcoming college journey to the lifelong impact she expects NHI to have on her career path. 

“Through NHI, I’ve realized that I have a passion for recognizing and cultivating others’ potential,” she said. “This mindset has shaped my career aspirations and has led me toward a future in law, where I can continue advocating for and empowering others. Volunteering has also helped me become a more confident leader who can facilitate discussions and bring groups together toward a common goal.”