Partners brings together youth, ages 15–18, of limited means and/or limited international experience to build understanding among countries, increase leadership skills and develop a commitment to service. Youth engage with local government and civic organizations, build relationships with host families and their peers, and participate in skills-based training that enables and empowers them to mobilize their communities toward positive change.

Kirsten Mary Hope, 30 Kirsten is currently a High School Spanish Teacher in Fairfax Country, Virginia with 8 years of teaching experience. She has a Master’s degree in Hispanic Linguistics and has lived abroad for two years in Spain. Kirsten has also travelled to Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and briefly to Colombia. Her international volunteer experience includes participation in activities like building stoves in Guatemala and the Panama Teacher Match Program. Domestically, she teaches Salsa classes in her school, has started a Spanish class at her church and is in the Spanish Honor Society. Kirsten dreams of spreading bilingualism throughout the world because she believes that through a language her students learn understanding and compassion. Kirsten greatly enjoys seeing her students open their minds to new experiences and seeing beyond their own lives and communities.

Mentor Profile

A lifetime of service begins with a three-week exchange

YOUTH AMBASSADORS

The Youth Ambassadors program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Partners of the Americas.

Youth Profiles Surya Krishna Gudivada, 17 Surya is from Bentonville, Arkansas and his favorite subjects in school are Spanish, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology. He dreams of becoming a doctor, which combines his two passions - helping people and science. Surya supports an organization that tutors children in orphanages in India, volunteers in political campaigns, tutors local children through Care a Child and assists the local Indian and Hindu community with organizing events and festivals. He believes society can be improved from the ground up by teaching children about harmful substances, encouraging them to pursue higher levels of education, and instilling good moral values. As a Youth Ambassador, he hopes to learn about a new culture and immerse himself in a foreign language.

Youth Ambassadors

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Youth Ambassadors

Argelis Minaya Bravo, 15 Argelis is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a student at the U school. She is really interested in Biology for its potential to resolve mysteries and is passionate about English because it provides an opportunity for self-expression. Argelis` personal academic goal is to be her class Valedictorian and attend college after high-school. As a Youth Ambassador, she hopes to pursue her passion of making a difference, improve her cultural understanding and further explore her strengths. In the future, she wants to start a cleaning movement to beautify her community and help young people embrace their origins.

Zabdiel Aaron Rothschild , 16 Zabdiel is from La Feria, Texas and enjoys reading and playing chess. He envisions himself working in public service, helping the development of his community. Zabdiel has been actively engaged in different volunteer opportunities like Trash Bash, Church Choir, CEE UIL Volunteer Food and clothing for the natives of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. In the future he wants to raise awareness of the importance of education, morals and values. As a Youth Ambassador, he hopes to further explore and learn more about foreign ideologies, culture, civic processes and connect with likeminded young people.

Kaury Ysabella Thome, 16 Kaury is from Columbia, South Carolina and she enjoys writing, drawing and playing soccer. She volunteers with organizations like Key Club, Partners of the Americas and the Hunger Project through which she provides food for those in need. Kaury aspires to major in Biology with minor in Spanish, become a chiropractor and go to a mission trip in South America. She wants to improve her community by starting a program at her high school that raises awareness for teenagers about substance abuse. As a Youth Ambassador, she wants to experience firsthand another culture, improve her leadership and Spanish skills.

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Youth Ambassadors

Shristi Bhandari Bashista, 17 Shristi is from Columbia, Missouri and her interests vary from singing, drawing and dancing to interning at Biophysics Lab. She dreams of becoming an open-minded, kind, well-informed, and an analytical world citizen that has a positive impact on the world through her actions. She is currently her school’s National Honor Society Secretary and supports fundraising activities for Be the Change Volunteers. In the future she wants to improve access to books and educational aid in areas of need in her community. This, she believes would spread awareness about compassion, tolerance and social inclusion. As a Youth Ambassador, she hopes to become part of a network of likeminded active young people, to learn more about the culture and history of Colombia and South America, and enhance her cultural awareness.

Rebekah Salome Trinidad-Apac , 17 Rebekah is from San Antonio, Texas and enjoys babysitting, baking and solving mysteries. Her volunteer activities include assisting the elderly, engaging with children from an adoption center as well as volunteering in programs and organizations like Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity. Her dream is to become an OB/GYN doctor for high risk pregnancies and to open her own practice. Rebekah wants develop and implement programs that improve youth engagement in her community. As a Youth Ambassador, she hopes to make a difference in her community and improve her leadership skills.

Riley Noelle Meese , 16 Riley is from Pinehurst, North Carolina and is a very active young woman. She enjoys playing soccer, babysitting, camping and other open air activities. One of her dreams is pursuing a career as a Midwife in the program Doctors Without Borders which combines her passion for helping others and her wanderlust. Riley dedicates a lot of time to serving her community. Her volunteering experience includes supporting numerous organizations like the Key Club, O'Neal Volunteers Organization, Red Cross, Student Life, Grace Church Kids Ministry and others. As a Youth Ambassador, she hopes to experience a different culture, practice her Spanish, and expand her understanding about the world. In the future, she wants to create and promote more opportunities for young people from her community to experience selflessness through acts of service.

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Youth Ambassadors

Katerina Ford Lamm, 15 Katerina is from Durham, North Carolina. Her interests vary from tennis and yoga to baking and science. She has volunteered with organizations like the American Red Cross, Blood and Platelet Center, Durham Parks and Recreation as a donation station and special events volunteer. She dreams of pursuing a career in the field of International Relations and Health. Katerina wants to promote health preventative strategies in her community, help people attain a healthy lifestyle and access nutritious foods. As a Youth Ambassador, she hopes to learn more about the culture, history and politics of Colombia, and broaden her understanding regarding Latin America and practice her Spanish.

Jennah Aminah Haque , 16 Jennah is from Washington D.C. and her interests and hobbies include field hockey, running, baking and writing. She enjoys giving back to her community. Currently she is the secretary of her school's Spanish Community service club, a member of Capital Area Interfaith Friends (CAIF) and part of Walt Whitman Girl Up. Jennah aspires to become a Journalist, play hockey in college and become a good photographer. She wants to engage and organize her community to fight hunger in the Montgomery County. She believes that with joint efforts of local restaurants, grocery stores, and community members hunger in the area could be minimized by tenfold.

Hastings Marks Scriber, 15 Hastings is from Bentonville, Arkansas and enjoys playing basketball, baseball and video games. He plans on attending college, majoring in History with a minor in Spanish and becoming a sports analyst for ESPN. Hastings in involved in various volunteering activities such as taking dinner to people at the local nursing home, cleaning up local parks, and creating care packages for homeless people through the local Helping Hands network and his youth group. He aspires to improve his community by providing services to homeless children in need of assistance and reducing crime through skills development programs for adults. He was inspired to become a Youth Ambassador by hosting a young man from Venezuela and wishes to have a similar experience while exploring the Colombia.