The Latino community in the area where I reside is weak. This is evident in the fact that fewer Hispanics are involved in community affairs than members of other ethnicities. It would be quite interesting to be able to know what goes into defining government policies. The enthusiasm I would bring to this topic would be exemplary. The experience that qualifies me to participate in this institute is my involvement in SALSA (Spanish and Latino Students Association), as well as the fact that I am a young, aware Hispanic male who sees what really happens in the Latino community. It would be very informative to learn what happens during the process of making government policies that greatly impact our community. Perhaps if more teenagers were given the opportunity to be educated on these topics, the community could improve. This would improve the community by enriching the lives of young people and pointing them in the direction of working for the people, not against them. The work and effort put in by me should be exemplary. This is because one of my goals in life is to improve myself so that I can in turn improve my community, especially the Hispanic community. This is an opportunity I've been waiting for to present itself. This is my chance to make a difference. The experiences that qualify me to take part in the affairs of this institute are the fact that I am an active member of the SALSA group, as well as the fact that I am a young Hispanic male who sees how the Hispanic community works. My involvement in the SALSA club has given me the opportunity to reach out to Hispanic students at my school in hopes that if I can inform these young people on how to improve the community, as well as teach them a sense of personal pride themselves. Then it is hoped that they too, when they go to their cities, will try to make a difference.