NHI Decision Day Showcases Next Steps for Future Leaders

National Hispanic Institute students from across the United States and beyond made their college intentions known for the first-ever NHI Decision Day today. Graduating seniors, whose high school journeys included NHI programs, let the world know where they were going to continue their leadership journeys. It’s not surprising that this group of NHI students choose college. After all, 98 percent of NHI students choose to attend college after high school. But the choices revealed today showed a geographic and academic diversity that speaks well to the breadth of NHI leadership.

Students committed to Boston College and Boston University, DePaul and DePauw, Harvard and Georgetown, Cornell and Dartmouth, and a great number of universities throughout Texas. A trio of students from Winn High School in Eagle Pass will all attend Texas Tech University together. Sisters Micaela and Annika Uriegas from Carrizo Springs, Texas decided to become rivals — Micaela will attend Texas Tech University while Annika will attend the University of Texas at Austin. Kiki Carretero, an NHIer from Panama City, Panama, announced his intention to go to UCLA.

A number of students also chose NHI host schools, including Augustana College, home of the Midwest Great Debate, Our Lady of the Lake University, which hosts the Texas Star Great Debate, and the University of San Diego, which brings students to Southern California each year for the California LDZ.

Some of the announcements included news of scholarships. Emilio Balderas, an NHIer from Palatine, Illinois, will attend the University of Chicago in the fall with a full scholarship, including a $10,000 stipend for his history of academic involvement and leadership. Skylar Valdez, an NHIer from Albuquerque, New Mexico, will be attending Benedictine College on a full merit scholarship.

To see all the students who took to social media today, check out the #NHIDecisionDay hashtag on Facebook and Twitter.