“Podemos hablar en espanol?” — which translates to, “Can we speak in Spanish?”

Rosa, the state’s first Latina education commissioner, smiled and agreed. In her native language, Santizo Soto — a student of Guatemalan descent — spoke confidently about what she loves most about JHS: participating in the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PR/HYLI).

“It meant a lot to me because I don’t usually get the chance to speak Spanish with people in positions like that,” Santizo Soto remembered recently. “Being able to talk with her in Spanish made me feel like the Latino community has someone who represents us and understands us in our own language.”

The institute is helping students like Santizo Soto not only discover the power of their voices, but also their power as leaders. Advised by ENL teacher Korrin Mundo and supported by ENL teacher Dr. Faith Graham, the program connects students with peers from across New York State to explore civic engagement, leadership, and public service.

Jamestown High School students involved in the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute visited Albany last school year for a mock legislative session and will do so later this spring. Pictured are Bianca Rojas, Angela Santizo Soto, Jenilisse Cordero Colon, Alejandro Lopez Velazquez, and Geovany Brown Ordonez.

The program, founded by late NYS Assemblymember Angelo Del Toro is designed to engage Hispanic students in civic leadership, mentorship, and community involvement. Through workshops, leadership training, and discussions centered on identity and advocacy, students develop skills in public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking — all while building connections with other student leaders across the state.

Most importantly, Mundo said, the program creates a space where students feel supported and challenged.

“PR/HYLI creates a space where students feel supported, encouraged, and challenged to grow as leaders,” she said.

Jamestown High School has participated in PR/HYLI since the mid-1990s. While participation has fluctuated, the program has experienced a renaissance over the past several school years.

That opportunity is already making a meaningful impact on students like senior Bianca Rojas.

JHS students Geovany Brown Ordonez and Alejandro Lopez Velazquez smile during last April’s mock legislative session in Albany.

“PR/HYLI is an opportunity for the Hispanic community to get together and learn about civic engagement — like how to be involved in where we live,” Rojas said.

Through monthly training sessions and regional collaboration with students from across Western New York, participants learn how to research legislation, build arguments, and work as a team.

“PR/HYLI is a program that teaches you how to become a leader, how to advocate for others, and how to communicate properly with others,” said senior Geovany Brown Ordonez . “For me it’s kind of like a class rather than just a program.”

Students say those experiences push them outside their comfort zones — and help them grow.

“Being put on the spot to debate in front of everybody — especially in Albany — helped me create public speaking skills,” Rojas said. “Before, I wasn’t very good with public speaking, but now if there’s a group setting and no one’s speaking, I’ll step up and start the conversation.”

Santizo Soto said the growth is visible not only in herself, but in her peers.

“Leadership skills include speaking more and participating more,” she said. “Before, we didn’t participate much in class, but now we take more initiative and are often the first to speak.”

For senior Alejandro López Velázquez, one of the program’s biggest lessons is realizing leadership is something that can be developed.

“Even if you don’t think you’re a leader, you can always become a leader. You just need to find places and people who can teach you how,” López Velásquez said.

A key component of PR/HYLI is the opportunity to travel to Albany, where students participate in a mock legislative session at the State Capitol.

Students spend months preparing — researching bills, writing arguments, and developing their positions — before debating in front of peers and state leaders.

“This trip is important because it gives students a chance to step into real leadership spaces and experience government firsthand,” Mundo said. “Many of our students have never imagined themselves debating legislation or standing in a State Capitol chamber, and PR/HYLI shows them that their voices matter.”

For Brown, the Albany experience was transformative.

“The most meaningful lesson for me is that you can actually advocate for yourself and others. I have a voice, and I can use it to say what I think and advocate for my beliefs,” he said.

Rosa’s visit to JHS also presented the students with a memorable experience. While they had encountered her briefly during their trip to Albaby last April, the opportunity to share the power of the program with her directly was everlasting.

“The fact that she was willing to speak Spanish with me was pretty impressive,” Brown said. “I never thought I would meet someone from New York who would actually speak Spanish with me in such a high position.”

Beyond Albany, students in PR/HYLI gain real-world experience that extends into scholarship opportunities, interviews with elected officials, and civic engagement projects.

“Programs like PR/HYLI transform lives because they open doors and show students what is possible,” Mundo said.

Mundo said the dedication of JHS students in the program continues to stand out.

“Our PR/HYLI students are dedicated, resilient, and committed to growth and community,” she said. “Many juggle school, jobs, and family responsibilities, yet they show up fully engaged and willing to put in the work.”

“This program is not just an activity — it provides a space for students to develop leadership skills, confidence, and a sense of civic responsibility,” Mundo added. “It gives them tools and experiences to explore their potential and see what they are capable of accomplishing.”