The National Council of La Raza's (NCLR) Líderes Initiative is a national program designed to create opportunities for Latino youth that will elevate their influence as leaders in the United States.

NCLR Best Buy Emerging Latino Leaders Scholarship Program



The 2009 winners have been selected.
 Grand-prize winners Kathleen Ferraren (Sterling, VA) and Alexandra Méndez (Decatur, GA) will each receive a $10,000 scholarship, and Juan Martinez (Seattle, WA), Leslie Pinero (Mays Landing, NJ), and Colin Cortes (Flossmoor, IL) will each receive $5,000.


2009 Information
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and Best Buy Children's Foundation (Best Buy) support Latino youth who are equally committed to academic achievement and volunteerism. The NCLR – Best Buy Emerging Latino Leaders Scholarship Program provides an opportunity for Latino high school seniors to share their leadership experiences. Please submit an essay answering the following question:

How can you use your leadership experiences in high school and/or your community to help broaden opportunities for future Latino youth? Please use specific examples of your leadership skills and experiences.

Essays should include a brief description of your individual leadership work with a group or community organization and how you plan to continue your involvement in the Latino community.



How to Participate
High school seniors of Hispanic descent currently enrolled in high school (with a minimum GPA of 2.0) can participate in the NCLR- Best Buy Emerging Latino Leaders Scholarship Program. The application is a two step process. Essay submissions will be accepted through the electronic application process. Supporting documents must be mailed. Please read the http://lideres.nclr.org/section/opportunities/bestbuyscholarship/rules_and_guidelines>Rules and Guidelines page for complete instructions.
Mail to
NCLR- Best Buy Emerging Latino Leaders Scholarship Program
Attn: Denise Pernick
1126 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036.
Faxes and emails for the release forms and recommendation will not be accepted.

Please read the Rules and Guidelines page for complete instructions.

Selection Process
An independent panel of judges will select four winners. All winners will be notified by Thursday April 2, 2009. The decisions of the judges are final.

Prizes
There will be four scholarship winners. Two grand prize winners will receive a one-time payment of $10,000. Two winners will each receive a one-time payment of $5,000.

Deadline
Your entry MUST be received no later than 5 p.m. EST on Friday, March 6, 2009. Recommended postmark date: Monday, March 2, 2009. The NCLR – Best Buy Emerging Latino Leaders Scholarship Program is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, stolen, or misdirected mail. NCLR and Best Buy reserves the right to amend or stop the contest without advance notice.

Please contact Denise Pernick with any questions at 202-776-1720 or leadership@nclr.org

Register Now!

Rules and Guidelines

Release form