Young Ambassadors Program

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The Smithsonian Latino Center’s Young Ambassadors Program is a national, interdisciplinary leadership program for high school students gifted in the arts, sciences, or humanities. The mission of the program is to foster the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities via the Smithsonian Institution and its resources.

Up to 24 graduating high school seniors with an interest and commitment to disciplines in the arts, sciences, or humanities as it pertains to Latino communities and cultures will be selected. The students will travel to Washington, D.C. for a week-long all expensed paid training and leadership seminar at the Smithsonian Institution. The training seminar encourages youth to explore and understand Latino identity and embrace their own cultural heritage. Following the training seminar, students participate in a four-week interdisciplinary education internship in museums and other cultural institutions in their local communities, including Smithsonian-affiliated organizations. A program stipend will be given at the completion of the 5-week program. Through the program, we empower Latino youth to develop leadership and academic skills. Please download the application guidelines for more details. This program is made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.

“At Ford we are proud to partner on a project that celebrates Latino culture and helps shape the new generation of Latino leaders,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.

ELIGIBILITY
Admission is competitive. To be eligible for the program, you must:
o Be a high school senior graduating in 2010.
o Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States with a valid Social Security Number at the time of application.
o Have a minimum weighted cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
o Be fluent in English.
o Commit to participate in the one-week training seminar at the Smithsonian Institution and complete a four-week paid summer internship.
o Be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program at a four-year accredited college or university (enrollment will be verified in the fall 2010).

DEADLINE
All application materials are due in the Smithsonian Latino Center office no later than 5 pm ET on April 7, 2010.

Source: http://www.latino.si.edu/programs/youngambassadors.htm