2015 YOUTH AMBASSADORS
Youth Ambassadors is a program in which Partners brings together youth, ages 15–17, of limited means and
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. The following Youth Ambassadors participants are from
Venezuela and Colombia. After a week of activities in Washington, D.C., they will head to Arkansas and
Tennessee for three weeks. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of State.
Juan Pablo Gil Arcila, 24 (Mentor)
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Juan Pablo is from Armenia, Colombia and is a passionate bilingual educator and
volunteer. He is currently an English teacher and by the end of this year plans to
start a master’s program in education and social development. Through the
YMCA, Juan Pablo has been involved in several volunteer projects that include
providing a cultural exchange for youth from the United States and leading English
classes for children. Motivated by his optimism for the future and desire to help
youth, he is enthusiastic about guiding this group of Youth Ambassadors on an
unforgettable experience.
Mirian Veronica Hurtado Beltran, 31 (Mentor)
Mirian Veronica is from Barquisimeto, Venezuela. She is a systems analyst,
computer science teacher, and English teacher. Inspired by helping students
achieve their goals, she tutors students and helps graduate students develop
projects. Her previous experience working for the Ministry of Education and
participating in U.S. Embassy programs will be very useful during her time as a
mentor. She aims to create an enriching experience for the students and herself.
After her time as a mentor her goal is to obtain a master’s degree related to
education and continue to help students succeed.
José Luis Gonzalez, 45 (Mentor)
José Luis is from Caracas, Venezuela and works as a translator and English
and theater teacher. Inspired by a desire to help others, José Luis sees the
Youth Ambassadors program as a terrific opportunity to help youth better
themselves. He has previously participated as a mentor in the program and has
continued to aid Partners of the Americas in Venezuela. After the program he
hopes that he can pursue a master’s degree in theater translation in England or
Spain and continue studying languages.
Carlos Daniel Gonzalez Cuervo, 15
Carlos Daniel is from Santa Rosa de Cabal, Colombia and enjoys singing,
dancing, and playing the guitar. His favorite school subjects are English,
biology, and philosophy. He currently volunteers by giving guitar and singing
lessons. He is a strong advocate of helping people in need. As a Youth
Ambassador he wants to promote the importance of not only aiding less
fortunate people, but also to encourage people in his community learn a foreign
language. Carlos Daniel’s goal is to go to college after high school and continue
to improve his English skills.
José Ricardo Quintero González, 15
José Ricardo is from Medellín, Colombia and is an aspiring design engineer. Last
year working with a local university he developed a recycling project called Smart
Bin. He hopes that through this project and future projects that he can help
increase awareness about the benefits of recycling. He is excited about the
possibilities of helping his city through more engineering projects in the future.
Through the Youth Ambassadors program José Ricardo wants to learn about other
countries and cultures. He hopes that this experience leads to opportunities to
make changes in communities outside his own.
Valentina Alvarez Villa, 15
Valentina is from Colombia. Her favorite subjects in school include math,
physics, and chemistry. She is very active in her school where she helps out with
a school club and talks to students about taking care of the environment. She is
keen on traveling and learning more about other cultures. As a Youth Ambassador
she aspires to not only learn about American culture, but to also teach others
about Colombian culture. In the future, she plans to draw on experiences like this
to serve her community and country.
Jonier Alvarez Orozco, 15
Jonier is from Santa Rosa de Cabal, Colombia and enjoys dancing and taking part
in theater classes. Currently, he is involved in a variety of different volunteer
activities. In addition to helping his math and English teacher, he works with a
foundation that helps low income people and teaches dance at an academy.
Excited by the possibilities of this program, Jonier believes that this experience
will be a key part of his personal development and wants to use this experience to
promote Colombian culture.
María Cecilia Castilla Díaz, 15
María Cecilia is from Ciénaga de Oro, Colombia. Already working towards her
goal of building a better world, María Cecilia’s volunteer activities include
leading a literacy project for low income children, teaching English, and raising
environmental awareness. She also plays a role in a TV program that sheds light
on her community’s issues and discusses solutions. In the future she hopes to
expand upon her current activities and establish a foundation for underprivileged
children. As a Youth Ambassador she aims to maximize her leadership skills,
learn about other cultures, and share her own.
Carmen Elena Lopez Mendez, 17
Carmen Elena is from Carora, Venezuela. She is currently a volunteer for a local
organization that works to improve the lives of orphaned children. In addition,
she has led talks with teenagers about the consequences of bullying and steps to
prevent bullying. She is interested in different cultures and is eager to use this
experience to learn more about American culture and history. After her time as a
Youth Ambassador, Carmen Elena plans on contributing to the development of
her community and country by working with children, so one day they too can
help make an impact in their community.
Eucarys Andrea Fuentes Cumare, 17
Eucarys Andrea is from Cumaná, Venezuela. She is an avid reader who enjoys
singing, meeting new people, and learning new things. Among her volunteer
activities, she assists her parents who travel around her state and give talks about
human rights. In the future Eucarys Andrea hopes to graduate from college and
travel around the world as much as possible. As a Youth Ambassador she hopes
to improve her English, so that she can use her English skills to help other
students take advantage of this program.
Christian Javier Gutiérrez Da Silva, 16
Christian Javier is from Valencia, Venezuela and enjoys reading, playing
sports, listening to music, and working on his photography. In December he
will begin studying chemical engineering at Simon Bolivar University. In the
past few years, he has been volunteering at a nursing home. In the future
Christian Javier plans to help educate children in his community; a goal he
feels will create a better future for his country. As a Youth Ambassador he is
excited to represent his country and break down any misconceptions between
Venezuela and the U.S.
Joshwa Manuel Payajo Rodriguez, 17
Joshwa Manuel is from Caracas, Venezuela and is very interested in learning
foreign languages and using graphic design programs. He will attend Simon
Bolivar University to study mathematics and the University of Central
Venezuela to study modern languages. His volunteer activities include feeding
homeless people in his community, teaching English and math at an orphanage,
and also helping translate for American volunteers at the orphanage. Inspired
by a former Youth Ambassador, Joshwa Manuel is excited to grow as a person
and continue to work in his community when he returns home.
Renzo Jose Rodríguez Domínguez, 17
Renzo Jose is from Mérida, Venezuela and he enjoys reading, writing stories, and
watching movies. He dreams of one day producing a movie. With a group of
friends he runs a center where he teaches children about how to take care of the
environment. Building upon his environmental work, he hopes to learn more about
psychology, so he can better serve his community and solve family problems.
Renzo Jose is eager to make the most of his time as a Youth Ambassador and
learn more about American culture.
Javier Fernando Pino Manquillo, 17
Javier Fernando is from Popoyan, Colombia. His favorite school subjects include
English, biology, and physical education. Outside of school he is involved in an
array of volunteer activities. In addition to helping teach English to children in
rural areas, he assists organizations that focus on the conservation of water,
farming, and post-conflict recovery. An ambitious student, he dreams of traveling
the world and using his skills as a leader to help improve the world. Javier
Fernando believes his exposure to other cultures as a Youth Ambassador will be a
key moment in his life.
Tanya Alejandra Ariza Acosta, 15
Tanya Alejandra is from Bogota, Colombia. Her favorite school subjects are
English, philosophy, art, and Spanish. She has experience helping low-income
children improve and strengthen their reading and writing skills. Although she
isn’t sure what she wants to do in the future, she plans on continuing to help youth
in her community. As a Youth Ambassador Tanya Alejandra is looking forward to
sharing her culture and learning about others, which she believes is very important
for her personal development and helping others in the future.
Laura Valentina Rodriguez Oliveros, 16
Laura Valentina is from Bogota, Colombia and is fascinated by animals, as she
especially enjoys reading about insects, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. Her
interest in these animals has led her to volunteer for environmental groups that
help protect wetlands and clean up pollution. She wants to be a Youth
Ambassador to get out of her comfort zone and learn more. In the future, Laura
Valentina plans on working to save animals by fighting for their conservation
and the environment.
David Tabares Gonzales, 17
David is from Medellín, Colombia. His interest in different cultures, languages,
and traveling has influenced his goals and dreams. Next year he will begin
studying international business at university, where he also hopes he can study
translation. His previous experiences helping children in need have inspired him
to continue working with youth after his participation with the Youth
Ambassadors Program. David is very keen on reaping the full benefits of being in
America, where he hopes to engage in cultural exchanges, expand his leadership
skills, and grow as a person.
Patricia Carolina Salazar Castañeda, 16
Patricia Carolina is from Cumaná, Venezuela and she likes to play music and
make bracelets. An active volunteer at a public school, she helps make sure that
the children are safe and have a place to play. Patricia Carolina plans to continue
her work with children and hopes that one day she can teach art, a subject she is
very passionate about. During her time as a Youth Ambassador, she hopes to
improve her English and learn about new ways to help her community. Improving
her English is important, as she would like to create an English school in her
community.
Zaida Carmela Grilli Guevara, 15
Zaida Carmela is from San Diego, Venezuela and loves to play sports and keep
active. She has experience volunteering for a political party, Primero Justicia,
where she has activities that range from acting as a medical assistant to
collecting data for lawyers. From her time at Primero Justicia, Zaida Carmela
heard about the Youth Ambassadors Program and instantly knew that she
wanted to take advantage of the chance to represent her country and gain skills
that will help her make Venezuela a better place. After the program, she hopes
to study medicine and specialize in traumatology.
Javier Alejandro Larreal Chirinos, 15
Javier Alejandro is from Maracaibo, Venezuela. A member of the scout
organization of Venezuela, he has had the opportunity to take part in many
volunteer activities that include planting trees donating food and toys, and
cleaning up his community. Javier Alejandro aspires to make a change in his
community and as a Youth Ambassador he is excited to learn more about how
and what he can do to make his country a better place.
Johnatan Deivy Duran Cespedes, 14
Johnatan Deivy is from Mérida, Venezuela and his favorite school subjects
include physics, art, and universal history. He currently volunteers at an
environmental organization where he gives talks about recycling, develops
environmental awareness campaigns, and works to create new projects.
Johnatan Deivy is interested in learning more about the U.S. and as a Youth
Ambassador he wants to improve his leadership skills. In the future he hopes
to use what he learns from his time in the U.S. to leave a positive mark in his
community and country.
Gabriel Ernesto Gomez Soto, 17
Gabriel Ernesto is from Caracas, Venezuela and dreams of being a systems
engineer. He has previously volunteered at summer camps and took part in
the Model United Nations at his school. Motivated by his desire to improve
the situation in his country, Gabriel Ernesto believes his time as a Youth
Ambassador will be a great opportunity to learn about the customs and
culture of the United States.
Marisol Aranzazu Goez, 15
Marisol is from Medellín, Colombia and she is a cheerleader who likes to
dance and draw. She has experience volunteering in her community with
low-income families. Marisol has found helping others to be very rewarding
and in the future she plans on continuing to help people in need. As a Youth
Ambassador she hopes that she can share her culture with others and
improve her English. Her dream is to travel the world and believes that
improving her English will be a crucial step to help her achieve her goals.