Articles

The Líderes de Hoy essay contest was an opportunity for young Hispanic leaders to share their perspective on what it means to be a leader in their community. Essays answered the question: As a young leader, how have you been a catalyst for positive change and contributed to inspiring your community?

Christian Contreras
“I have a dream: to maintain our heritage through the propagation of Latin Jazz with rhythms that evoke our ways of enjoying life and our culture,” writes 15-year-old Christian Contreras in his Líderes de Hoy essay. Christian demonstrates his extraordinary musical talent and passion as a tenth grader at Briarcliff High School in his community in Elmsford, New York.

Christian was born in Panama, but he and his family moved to Europe when he was two. After living in Switzerland and Spain, his family moved to the United Sates when Christian was seven. While he was struggling to adapt and learn English, Christian turned to music to ease his anxieties. Every day during recess, Christian went to the music room to listen to the school band rehearse. One day, someone asked him if he wanted to join the band. At the age of seven, under the guidance of Mr. Milton Williams, Christian began to participate in the New York State Music Association Festival where he has performed every year.

For Christian, music is a way to lead and reach out to his community. “Being a leader and catalyst for change is not an easy task – especially as an Hispanic descendent – because we try to integrate until we forget sometimes who we are, or who we have become.”

His greatest pleasure comes from working with other musicians and helping them excel. In 2003, Christian was introduced to Ianthia Calhoun and her young musicians at Woodlands High School. Ms. Calhoun asked Christian to work with these students to enhance their music skills. Christian spent more than ninety hours at Woodlands High School playing with the band and helping convince administrators to keep the arts program at the school. Christian and the Woodlands High School band have played at many festivals, senior home facilities, and community centers.

At Briarcliff High School, Christian is a leading participant in school concerts and the jazz band. Fellow students come to his house for jam sessions and to improve their solo abilities. He plays with the Westchester Music Conservatory of Latin Jazz and Honors Orchestra. He has played first chair clarinet twice, first chair tenor sax once at the New York State Music Association Festival, and first chair in the All County Orchestra.

Most recently, Christian was selected as an official member of the New York Youth Symphony "Jazz Band Classic" for 2005 - 2006. He will be auditioning next summer to enter a pre-college program at Julliard for Jazz on Tenor Sax and classical clarinet.
He is currently trying to contact Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Paquito D'Rivera, and Ruben Blades to create a Foundation for the Hispanic Music Education to play throughout the United States and Latin America.

Christian has met Patrick Forero, a leader in Latin Jazz, who introduced him to the music of other Latin Jazz/pop musicians. When Christian performs, he is often approached by parents who ask him where their children can learn to play Latin music. “They are mostly Hispanic descendants, and my heart is touched because even though we are from different paths in a different country, something deep inside us still keeps us united.”


Arthur "Danny" Daniel Hernandez
When Arthur "Danny" Daniel Hernandez was four years old, his parents were killed in a car accident. Danny and his siblings would have been wards of the state of Texas if his Aunt Virginia, then 21 years old, had not adopted Danny and his bother and sister. This was one of the many obstacles Danny has had to overcome.

Danny lives in Paradise, Texas, a small town of 453 with very little diversity. His school, Paradise High School, had 303 students, 11 of which were Latino. Danny described himself as “one of those eleven … a descendant of elites who have been stripped of their culture … and way of life.” Despite the discrimination Danny faced, he decided that it was not going to stop him from living his dream. During his freshman year, he ran for student government president. Danny was the student body president for two years, the debate club president for two years, the honor society president for one year, and class president for four years. He was ranked third in his graduating class. His proudest achievement was founding a community service organization called S.W.A.T., or Students With A Task. Through this organization, Danny encouraged his small town to hold blood drives and canned food drives, create an after school tutoring program, raise money for tsunami victims, hold a toy drive, and many more activities that benefit the community. Danny’s experience taught him that anyone can make a change. “I only pray that I have inspired at least one person to be a catalyst for more change, for more diversity, and more success.”

Danny is now a freshman at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He is majoring in Sociology, but is considering changing to a double major in Spanish and Education. After undergraduate school, he plans to attend law school to become an immigration attorney. He is developing a Hispanic scholarship program for Wise County, Texas. At Texas A&M, he is associated with two Latino organizations. The first one is the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) where Danny volunteers as a mentor helping high school and middle school students. He is helping them develop an interest in attending college and understanding the college application process. The second organization is Community Awareness of the Mexican American Culture (CAMAC). He is part of the Cultural Sub Committee, and is working on hosting a quinceañera for Hispanic Heritage Month for the local community.

Danny’s commitment has driven him to great accomplishments, and he is an inspiration to others. “Dedication has been key to defining the success that has come to me throughout my life, whether it be dedication to exceeding obstacles or dedication to extinguishing stereotypes.”

To read about all of the essay winners go to http://lideres.nclr.org/opportunities/2006_essay_contest_/2005_essay_contest_winners/