The Smithsonian Latino Center kicked off its ninth annual Young Ambassadors Program last month with the arrival of 22 graduating high school seniors from throughout the country to Washington, D.C. This flagship program has served more than 150 students since its launch in 2006.

The Young Ambassadors Program is an interdisciplinary leadership program that fosters the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities. The program strives to empower young Latinos to become community leaders and life-long learners. Students are offered seminars and skill-building workshops by Latino scholars and leaders in the fields of art, culture and science and visit Smithsonian museums and area cultural centers. At the conclusion of the week in Washington, students return to their communities to participate in a four-week paid internship at a museum or cultural center. Part of the each internship requires students to work with a local library on a literacy building project. Upon completion of the internships, students receive a $2,000 stipend to apply toward college.

The Young Ambassadors Program receives support from the Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services and partners with the following organizations throughout the country, including National Museum of Mexican Art and Adler Planetarium in Chicago. For information on the Young Ambassadors Program, visit www.latino.si.edu.