Washington Youth Leadership Seminar
The Washington Youth Leadership Seminar is an annual event that hosts 50 + high school juniors and seniors from across the United States and Puerto Rico. The seminar's goal is to nurture emerging Latino leaders and encourage participants to reflect upon and deploy the skills and lessons learned within their own communities.
During the Washington Youth Leadership Seminar, participants are not only immersed in cultivating their personal leadership skills, but are also empowered to translate these learnings into actions within their respective communities. This unparalleled opportunity paves the way for attendees to engage directly with influential figures, which include members of the presidential administration, esteemed Congressional leaders, leaders from Corporate America, and influential voices from both public and private sectors.
Participants are challenged to graduate from high school and enroll in a postsecondary educational program. The experiences inspire students across their professonal and academic journeys.
Throughout the seminar, participants focus on their own leadership and how to apply what they have learned back in their communities.
Program Design
1. Tailored Workshops: Cultivate leadership attributes, understand the essence of advocacy, explore diverse career paths, and advance professional skills.
2. Exclusive Forum: Engage in dialogues with esteemed leaders in government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors.
Additionally, we track academic trajectories through the National Student Clearinghouse to monitor college retention and completion rates.
The Washington Youth Leadership Seminar is completely free of charge to selected students.
Students who successfully completed the 2025 seminar by attending ALL workshops were eligible to receive a $300 Visa gift card or a laptop valued at $350.
The Washington Youth Leadership Seminar is completely free of charge to selected students.
Students who successfully completed the 2025 seminar by attending ALL workshops were eligible to receive a $300 Visa gift card or a laptop valued at $350.
How to Apply
This year’s seminar was held virtually from October 1 to October 3, 2025.
You can check out the agenda, lookbook, and more below!Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a high school junior or senior
- Must be sponsored by an LNESC Center or a LULAC Council
- Must demonstrate leadership and be actively involved in extracurricular activities
- Must submit a copy of a high school transcript
Program Impact
- One hundred percent (100%) of students reported they would likely get involved in their local communities after attending WYLS.
- Ninety-six percent (96%) of students reported they would likely get involved in their local communities after attending WYLS.
- One hundred percent (100%) of participants agreed with the statement: “I gained valuable skills by participating in the Washington Youth Leadership Seminar.”
- Ninety-six percent (96%) of students reported feeling more connected to the policy-making process following the workshops.
