Smithsonian Latino Center Accepting Applications for 2018 Young Ambassadors Program

The Smithsonian Latino Center is now accepting applications for the 2018 Young Ambassadors Program June 24 through Aug. 2. The application deadline April 9. The Young Ambassadors Program is a national program for graduating high school seniors that fosters the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences and humanities through an intensive training and internship program at the Smithsonian. The program receives major and continued support from Ford Motor Company Fund.

Students with interest in the arts, sciences and humanities, with a focus on Latino communities and cultures, are selected to travel to Washington, D.C., for a weeklong seminar at the Smithsonian. The week includes visits to the Smithsonian’s Latino collections to see behind the scenes and benefit from one-on-one engagement with curators, collections managers, archivists and experts from various fields. Following the week in Washington, students participate in a four-week interdisciplinary internship in museums and cultural institutions in 17 cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Smithsonian-affiliated organizations.

Students are selected based on their demonstrated interest in and commitment to excellence in the arts, sciences and humanities as well as their academic record, leadership experience and dedication to education and community service. The program includes meals and accommodations for the duration of the one-week training seminar, round-trip travel to Washington, D.C., and a program stipend following the four-week internship. For more information and to apply, visit www.latino.si.edu/education.

“This is the 13th year of the Young Ambassadors Program, and we couldn’t feel more fulfilled by continuing the tradition of taking promising young minds and giving them access to the tools we have at the Smithsonian,” said Latino Center Director Eduardo Diaz. “We hope their experience here unlocks even more of their potential as they explore more of the Latino story and use what they learn to enhance their communities across the country.”

“Helping to make people’s lives better depends in great part on providing students with the tools and resources to help them succeed,” said Joe Avila, manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “At Ford Fund we are proud to continue our partnership with the Smithsonian Latino Center to ensure a bright future for our future generations.”

For more information and to apply, visit www.latino.si.edu/education.

About the Smithsonian Latino Center

The Smithsonian Latino Center ensures that Latino contributions to art, science and the humanities are highlighted, understood and advanced through the development and support of public programs, scholarly research, museum collections and educational opportunities at the Smithsonian and its affiliated organization across the U.S. and internationally.

About Ford Motor Company Fund

Ford Motor Company Fund is the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. Established in 1949, Ford Fund invests in transformational programs that advance innovation, empower people, promote social mobility and improve community prosperity. Ford Fund works with local and global partners to create opportunities in education, encourage safe driving, enlist employee volunteers and enrich community life. Ford Fund’s signature programs include Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford College Community Challenge, Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Driving Skills for Life, Ford Next Generation Learning and the Ford Volunteer Corps. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com, or join us on Facebook @FordFund and Twitter @FordFund.

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SI-120-2018