After walking into the Latinitas event and signing in, I received my shirt and name tag and was assigned to Team 1. While waiting for my group to arrive, I explored the venue and soon met another team lead, a junior like me, who was part of Soy Latina. This mentorship program pairs Latina high school students with professional Latina mentors across San Antonio. My own Soy Latina mentor, Silvana, was also at the event and had encouraged me to seize this opportunity to grow as a leader. My role at the event was to guide a group of middle school students through the process of creating a business, from brainstorming ideas to pitching their final product before a jury. At first, it seemed simple. But as the day unfolded, I realized that leadership is about listening, adapting, and ensuring every voice is heard.
Building Connections
As students began to arrive, I met Serena, an outgoing, bubbly 11-year-old, and Arlo, the only boy in the program. Soon, more girls joined, each bringing unique personalities to the group. To break the ice, I organized a game of tic-tac-toe, which sparked laughter and helped us bond.
Step 1: How to Start a Business
The event kicked off with an introduction and a video explaining the basics of starting a business. Our group began by listing things we loved, and a common theme emerged: animals. Every idea counted, and my job was to make sure no one felt left out. After much discussion and compromise, we created “Pawsitive Pals,” a service that connects people struggling with mental health to uplifting animal activities.
Step 2: Money Matters
The hardest part came during the budgeting phase. With only 5,000 “Chica Bucks” to spend, the students had to make financial decisions. This was a challenge for kids unfamiliar with handling money. I guided them through math, writing, and technology, helping them create a Canva presentation and calculate expenses.
Step 3: Branding
Later, during the design phase, they each created a logo, and we voted on the winner, learning teamwork and compromise along the way.
Step 4: The Pitch
Finally, it was time for the pitch. Some students were nervous, others wanted to take over, but we worked together to ensure equal participation. I coached the kids to use memorized notes instead of reading slides to create a less rigid presentation. When they presented, even though we didn’t win, I felt proud because they had grown more confident and collaborative in just one day.
What I Learned
This experience taught me that leadership is about patience, empathy, and adaptability. It’s about creating space for others to shine while guiding them toward a shared goal. I left the event grateful to Soy Latina and Latinitas for empowering young women like me to lead and inspire. More importantly, I came away with a deeper understanding of the kind of leader I want to be: one who listens, encourages, and lifts others.
Alexia Maure is a top 1% student at Louis D. Brandeis High School and a recognized Gifted and Talented scholar. She is a varsity soccer athlete, community leader, and co-founder of Colorful Minds. Alexia is trilingual in English, Spanish, and French and is a proud member of the Soy Latina organization.
