Smithsonian Latino Center Celebrates 10th Annual Young Ambassadors Program

The Smithsonian Latino Center will welcome 22 graduating high school seniors from across the country to participate in its 10th annual Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) this summer. YAP is a unique leadership program that fosters the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences and humanities. To celebrate the program’s 10-year anniversary, the Smithsonian Latino Center has invited the more than 180 YAP alumni for an anniversary weekend in Washington, D.C., which will include networking and professional development opportunities.

The program empowers young Latinos to become community leaders and lifelong learners. Students come to Washington for a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity at the Smithsonian, where they participate in workshops with Latino scholars and leaders, such as filmmakers, journalists, curators, artists, scientists, musicians, poets and CEOs.

After their time in Washington students complete a four-week internship at a partner cultural or science museum in one of 17 cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Participating students become part of the YAP alumni network, which provides continuing professional and leadership development opportunities. By continuing to engage students, YAP helps transform teenage high school graduates into college-educated, young professionals poised for success in their early careers. The YAP alumni network boasts a 97 percent college graduation rate, and many alumni have embarked on successful careers in the arts, business, education and technology sectors, among others.

The students are selected because they demonstrate high academic achievement as well as civic responsibility and community service. They are required to work with a local library on a literacy-building project as part of their internship. Upon completion of their internships, students receive a $2,000 stipend to apply toward college and related expenses. 

YAP partners with the following organizations throughout the country:

• Arizona Science Center
• Musical Instrument Museum (Arizona)
• Museum of Latin American Art (California)
• Chabot Space and Science Center (California)
• California Science Center
• History Colorado Center
• National Portrait Gallery (Washington, D.C.)
• HistoryMiami (Florida)
• Patricia and Philip Frost Museum of Science (Florida)
• Atlanta History Center (Georgia)
• National Museum of Mexican Art Adler Planetarium (Illinois)
• Explora (New Mexico)
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (New York City)
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
• The Thinkery (Texas)
• San Antonio Museum of Art
• The Witte Museum (Texas)
• Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (Texas)
• Talento Bilingüe de Houston
• Children’s Museum of Houston (Texas) 
• The Museum of Flight (Washington)