Youth Participation Survey – Post Conference
Students from across the state agree that PR/HYLI is life changing. Many have shared their thoughts on the program and curriculum. According to an independent evaluation survey:
- 98% of PR/HYLI students reported being better able to understand issues affecting Hispanic communities
- 95% report feeling more prepared to become leaders in their communities
- 94% of students report being better able to think critically about important issues
Take a look at the full results here:
In Their Own Words – Student Voice:
- “PR/HYLI has helped me improve my leadership abilities and my abilities to express my opinion. PR/HYLI has helped me improve my leadership abilities and my abilities to express my opinion.”
- “I’m excited to bring back public speaking skills & advocacy skills.”
- “I want to change my community in a positive way.”
- “My biggest takeaway was that the Latino community is always helping each other.”
- “I see myself defending my points more clearly while also truly listening to the opposing side. I also see myself feeling confident no matter if I am the only latina in the room.”
- “I liked the ability to improve my public speaking, meet new people, and learn about our government.”
- “I have never felt more comfortable in my own skin in my entire life and it’s because of this program.”
- “I loved it very much – it was an incredible experience, very fun & educational/informative”
- “I used my voice to advocate for my community to ask the representatives questions that affect my community”
- “Being a Latino student and interested in politics, I love bringing up assemblyman Angelo del Toro. PR/HYLI definitely enhanced my understanding regarding the importance of having Latino representation in politics.”
- “During my junior year, I participated in the Angelo Del Toro Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute Program. This leadership program truly helped me become closer to my roots. As a seventeen year old minority, I represent a small percentage of Latino young adults who consider college education. Being one of the two Hispanics of my graduating class, I will admit it is unfortunate that the statistics reveal that Hispanics are not pursuing higher education. However, this motivates me to pursue a career in journalism because I strongly believe that I have the responsibility to document and share with the world the stories of other minorities that otherwise would not be told. I will be a voice for those that have been silenced by society and consider themselves mute by their own life struggles.”
- “It gave me pride to see who I truly am and where I come from.”
- “Helped me improve my public speaking skills.”