The University of New Mexico (UNM), in partnership with the National Hispanic Institute (NHI), will host the 2023 Dionisio “Denis” Chavez New Mexico Lorenzo de Zavala (LDZ) Youth Legislative Assembly for high school students statewide .
The event will highlight the legacy of the late Dionisio “Denis” Chavez, with a week of leadership experiences for 150 outstanding students from June 11-18, 2023 at the UNM Main Campus. The program was made possible with the help of special funding from the New Mexico Legislature introduced by State Senator Michael Padilla.
Chavez, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1931 to 1935 and U.S. Senator from 1935 to 1962, was the first Hispanic elected to full term in the Senate and the first person born in New Mexico. was a senator.
“Since 1982, the NHI has hosted more than 160 LDZ Youth Legislative Councils in the United States, Mexico and Latin America,” said Lawrence Roybal, Vice Chancellor for Community Initiatives at UNM Health Science Center.
“NHI is a respected non-profit organization with a 43-year history in national and international youth leadership development and was selected through a statewide competitive process,” said UNM President on Latina/o Issues. said Rosa Isela Cervantes, Director and Special Advisor of , UNM El Centro de la Rasa.
The National Hispanic Institute’s LDZ Experience offers an eight-day creative learning program for 10th and 11th grade college students. Engage participants in active learning by engaging them in key leadership roles using community engagement and legislative focus.
Through NHI’s Signature Community Equity Building approach, students create strategies for shaping communities, developing constituents, and leveraging their strengths and capabilities. “The LDZ experience is an individual experience where students feel competent, in control of their own life direction, valued by others, and engaged in adding equity and value to their community. It encourages transformational change,” said Gloria de Leon.
Co-Founder of NHI and Architect of the LDZ Experience. “Educate young minds to engage with positive solutions as a lifelong process.”
“Thank you to the NHI for once again bringing to the students of New Mexico such an innovative and life-changing experience. Throughout this week, I have witnessed strong leadership, personal growth and genuine grit. These will help students for the rest of their lives,” said Senator Michael Padilla.
New Mexico high school sophomores and juniors with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher are encouraged to apply. The selected student will be named the Denise Chavez Scholar and will attend for free, except for transportation to and from her UNM in Albuquerque and her $25 application fee.
Students are encouraged to promptly submit their online application to the National Hispanic Institute Dionisio “Dennis” Chavez New Mexico LDZ at https://www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org/event-4955183. Enrollment he will begin on October 7, 2022 and will end when the program reaches capacity.
For more information, please contact Gloria de Leon (gdl@nhimail.com, 512-587-3465) or the National Hispanic Institute (512-357-6137).