The Latino Leadership Institute pilot program celebrated its first annual commencement ceremony on June 8 at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon.

Sixteen students from Edmonds, Everett, and Skagit community colleges were selected to participate in the pilot program and exhibited leadership skills on campus and in their communities.

The following five students from Edmonds Community College participated in the Latino Leadership Institute and successfully completed the required training courses and a cumulative group project: Jacqueline Gonzalez, Merari Rosas, Marvin Perez, Juan Marin, and Juan Aquino.

The Latino Leadership Institute pilot program was designed to put the future of Latino youth on the public agenda and promote leadership development and higher education through formal workshops, hands-on mentoring, and service-learning projects.

Edmonds CC President Jean Hernandez fully supports the Latino Leadership Institute pilot program and addressed the participating students and their families at the graduation ceremony. She also distributed certificates.

The Latino Education and Training Institute (LETI) of Lynnwood oversees the management of the Latino Leadership Institute.