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.
There are two main components to the Somos Carolina program:
Are you a rising 8th grader?
Then apply to take part in our Middle School Academy!
The Somos Carolina Summer Academy is a 3-week summer enrichment experience for rising 8th graders. 50 middle school students are selected every year to participate in rigorous workshops, classes and community-building at participating schools designed to establish the fundamental skills, mindsets, and community necessary to affirm their cultural identities, develop leadership skills, and ultimately, be successful in high school, college, and life.
Somos Carolina Middle School
As part of the program, students will:
Learn how to embrace their cultural identity as a Latino/a/x student in North Carolina;
Develop their leadership skills and learn more about STEM careers;
Prepare for their college journey with a community of like-minded students
Who are we looking for?
Somos Scholars must demonstrate the following criteria:
Scholars must reside in Lee County, NC and demonstrate financial need. A copy of the family’s most recent income tax return will be requested to verify your financial need at the time of your interview.
Scholars must be able to effectively collaborate with their peers and be problem-solvers. Students should display high levels of ambition and persistence inside the classroom and their community.
Scholars must be motivated when it comes to their aspirations for their future. These students are intellectually curious about the world around them and their role in their community. This can be seen through their history of academic success, extracurricular activities and individual passions.
Scholars should be first- or second-generation immigrants (immigrant or child of immigrant parents) and identify as Hispanic or Latino/a/x.
Scholars must be the first member in their family to attend a college or university and complete a formal curriculum for a degree in the United States.
Scholars must have families who will actively to participate actively in the program, provide or arrange transportation as needed, attend parent meetings, and support the student’s development into a college-going student.
Click below to apply to our program!
Somos Carolina
High School
Are you in high school?
Somos Carolina High School Chapters focus on the three pillars of our leadership initiative: Latinidad, learning, and leadership.
Interested in bringing a Somos Carolina High School Chapter to your school?
Let us know below!
This focus allows students to engage within a community that:
affirms their cultural identity and immigrant roots
cultivates a positive relationship with education
prepares them for next steps after high school as leaders in their communities and college campuses.
Somos Carolina made me appreciate my personal experience and the collective experience of Latinx students in education.
Gladys Alvarez