Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session (LDZ)

# Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session (LDZ) The Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session is the National Hispanic Institute's mid-level leadership program, sitting between its Great Debate program for 9th graders and its Collegiate World Series for 11th graders. Over roughly eight days on a university campus, students build a functioning mock government from scratch - electing officers, forming parties, drafting bills, and negotiating them through committee and floor debate - under the guidance of NHI alumni and college-student staff. ## What You'll Do - Live on a university campus for about a week with a delegation of Latino student leaders - Run for and hold office in a student-built legislature, judiciary, or executive branch - Draft, sponsor, amend, and debate original legislation in committee and on the floor - Take part in caucusing, coalition-building, and negotiation across student parties - Receive evaluation and feedback from NHI staff on your leadership performance ## Who Should Apply The LDZ is designed for college-bound 10th and 11th graders. Students and families register directly with NHI rather than being nominated by a school. 2027 sites include the American LDZ at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey (July 11-18), the Colorado LDZ at Colorado State University in Fort Collins (June 20-27), and the Texas LDZ in Central Texas (July 18-25). ## Outcomes Participants leave with practical experience in parliamentary process, coalition-building, and public negotiation, plus eligibility to advance within NHI's program ladder, where alumni return as senior student leadership and program staff.