Our flagship initiative, Somos Carolina, selects Somos Scholars to participate in a 5-year program that spans middle and high school to foster the self-efficacy and support network necessary to flourish as scholars and civic leaders in their communities and future college campuses. Somos Carolina supports students through our three pillars: Latinidad, Learning, and Leadership.
Latinidad
Know history. Know self.
Students develop a deeper understanding, appreciation, and respect for their Latinx identity, culture, and history.
Students advocate for opportunity, representation, and justice for the Latinx community, while uplifting Blackness and Indigeneity.
Learning
Protect youth potential.
Students practice self-awareness and critical reflection to make intentional choices that mirror their core values.
Students make thoughtful, intentional choices about their future because they have the tools and resources to overcome challenges created by inequitable systems.
Leadership
Cultivate thriving communities.
Students critically examine their well-being and gifts and gain the tools necessary to maintain their authentic selves in schools and communities.
Students use their talents to serve and cultivate thriving communities that strive for positive change, with a strong focus on racial equity.
Meet
Our Team
Middle
School Phase
La cultura cura.
Start your journey in middle school!
Somos Carolina Middle School starts with Somos Summer, a 3-week summer opportunity for rising 8th graders during which they participate in workshops to establish fundamental skills, strong mindsets, and a supportive community.
Students benefit from these workshop in order to:
develop an appreciation for their cultural identity
identify their key strengths and strategize how to use them
critically examine their roles as scholars within their schools and communities.
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Partner Schools
We currently only serve the following high schools:
- Cedar Ridge High School
- Lee County High School
- Lee Early College
- Orange High School
- Southern Lee High School
Eligibility Details
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Participation Requirements
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Know history. Know self.
High School Chapters
Join a Somos Carolina high school chapter!
Interested in building a community of like-minded students ready to embrace their culture and think about their futures?
Somos Carolina helped me understand that other students have the same struggles as me and that I’m not alone. I learned that I enjoy being a leader and I would like to have a career that involves a leadership role in my community.
Somos Carolina High School Chapters focus on the three pillars of our leadership initiative: Latinidad, Learning, and Leadership.
This focus allows students to engage within a community that:
affirms their cultural identity and immigrant roots
cultivates a positive relationship with learning
prepares them for next steps after high school as leaders in their communities and college campuses.
High School Chapters
We currently only serve the following high schools:
- Cedar Ridge High School
- Lee County High School
- Lee Early College
- Orange High School
- Southern Lee High School
Eligibility Details
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Participation Requirements
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Instructors & Coaches
De aquí y de allá…
Are you interested in working with Latinx youth?
We’re on the hunt for talented and motivated people who are interested in working with Latinx middle school students. During our Somos Carolina summer program, you would be working alongside a co-instructor to facilitate a positive learning environment for a small group of 12 students.
Somos Carolina made me appreciate my personal experience and the collective experience of Latinx students in education.
Gladys Alvarez