Recognizing the importance of emergent leaders among high school students, Division Avenue High School's teacher of Spanish, Ms. Dana Giangrasso, assisted by fellow teacher Ms. Kristina Morgan and Chairperson of World Languages, Ms. Michele Ortiz, spearheaded a trip for six Division Avenue High School Students on October 1 to Washington, D.C. There the students attended the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's Emergent LeadersSeries. The conference, which focused on empowering students of Hispanic descent, encouraged them to play a positive role in their communities. Activities at the conference included attending various workshops and meeting influential leaders in the Hispanic community, including members of Congress, Lieutenant General Ricardo Sánchez, and celebrities such as Wilmer Valdarrama and Esai Morales. Student attendees included: Alex Escamilla, Christina Flores, Alex Santiago, Al Soto, Brandon Torre, and Kris Torre, chaperoned by Ms. Giangrasso and Ms. Morgan. Students returned energized by the experience and eager to initiate activities that honor Hispanic culture.