National Hispanic Institute to offer students scholarships, leadership skills through unique opportunity
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The National Hispanic Institute has worked with more than 1,000 students since the nonprofit started in 1979.
With the help of Las Vegas Sands, it will be able to offer scholarships to students across the Valley for its Great Debate Program.
The organization provides opportunities for young people to develop their leadership skills while having a strong support system.
Its Executive Vice President Nicole Nieto says the nonprofit is expanding their work in local-based student clubs.
Nieto said the organization started with its mission to serve a growing Latino community, but it caters to all students.
She said at the end of the program, students feel confident to work together.
Scholarships for freshman students range from $250 to $500 a person to attend its Great Debate Program this summer in San Diego for six days.
The scholarships go towards the program.
Sophomores and junior spots have been finalized, says Nieto. There are still spots available for high school freshmen.
Current member and student Madi Messner has been with the nonprofit for three years. She said it changed her life, and now she helps find members for the Great Debate Program.
Messner currently attends West Career & Technical Academy in Summerlin.
She told 8 News Now she was very shy when she started with no experience in speech or debate.
Messner was one of the founding members of the Las Vegas chapter. It started with just three students, and now there are 80.
“It’s really about growing yourself and having the confidence and your ability to speak and share your ideas with others,” Messner said. “It really teaches you the basis of communication skills, you are kind of thrown into this new environment, you’re on this college campus.”
She added that the best thing about the program is how it teaches students to think outside the box, make change in the community, focus on the positive, and become a leader.
“It’s a labor a love,” she said.
Messner added that students meet people from all over the world including Mexico, Puerto Rico, and even Dominican Republic.
“You learn to immerse yourself in different cultures,” she said
Nieto said 98% of the group’s student members attend college right after high school.
“These students get involved in student life in college,” she added.
She said if freshmen are interested in applying for the scholarships, they must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and be a first-time NIH participant
There is a $25 application fee.
All scholarship amounts depend on each student’s circumstances, says Nieto.
The final date to apply is April 15.
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