Huntington Students Training for State Leadership Institute

Huntington High School juniors Nataly Posada Lopez and Marilyn Mendoza Virula and senior Heileen Torres are remarkable young women. The three scholars recently completed prep sessions, training them for participation in the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, which will be held in April in Albany.

“The girls were fully engaged and actively participated in all of the legislative exercises throughout the day,” said Judy Goris-Moroff, district director of world languages, English as a new language and bilingual programs. “I am incredibly proud of them and the work they will continue to do as they prepare for the Institute. We have four more sessions before the culminating assembly in Albany and I am excited to see the growth and leadership they will undoubtedly demonstrate throughout the school year.”

Prospective participants in the Institute are required to complete an application packet and submit a typed resume along with two letters of recommendation and a “meaningful and responsive essay” of at least 250 words that described their interest in “leadership, government policy making, the issues facing youth and the Hispanic community and the qualities/experiences that make them an outstanding candidate.”

The three Huntington High School scholars continue to grow academically, socially and in every other possible way. Each of them wants to make a difference in their community and in the world. They understand that serving in government is an excellent way of seeing their goals through to fruition.

“The Institute affords Hispanic youth greater insight into the dynamic nature of state government, provides a forum for students to share ideas and concerns impacting the Hispanic community and offers participants the opportunity to develop leadership skills,” according to a program profile.