From Ojo Caliente to Princeton and Yale universities, Dani Manzanares, a senior at Mesa Vista High School, carried the pride of New Mexico as the only student from the state selected for the Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America Scholars Program this summer.
The Program, founded 21 years ago in New York City, aims to create pathways to success for first-generation, low-income students through college access and leadership development.
Each year, 100 students are chosen from across the nation for the program, which begins with a five-week summer institute at Princeton and Yale.
The program’s executive director, David Garza, emphasized LEDA’s mission to transform lives and communities.
“The idea behind LEDA is really: if we make these pathways available, the students who become LEDA Scholars have a greater chance of success of getting into some of the best colleges in the country, and then after that, the work that they do will improve the communities that they’re part of.”
LEDA’s support extends far beyond the initial summer course, offering ongoing assistance with college applications, success once on-campus, and eventually career preparation. Scholars are selected from a pool of around 1,100-1,500 applicants based on exceptional academic promise, financial need and leadership potential — qualities Manzanares embodies.
“Manzanares is a model of what type of student that we can produce,” Mesa Vista Superintendent Fred Trujillo said. “She’s a natural … very confident, very outgoing and very easy to talk to, which is going to serve her very well in the future, in whatever career she chooses.”
Manzanares’ journey to LEDA began with a three-step application process, including two essays where she articulated her passions and goals with help from her teachers — particularly her social studies teacher, Mr. Victor Coronado.
Trujillo sees Manzanares’ achievement as a testament to the quality of education and support at Mesa Vista.
“Manzanares’ selection and her application process show our community that they’re receiving a very quality education here at Mesa Vista,” he said. “Her teachers gave her the confidence to do this, and we’re very appreciative of the staff’s dedication to our students.”
Manzanares’ tenacity mixed with her educators provided a winning formula that saw her accepted into LEDA earlier this year.
“Honestly, it was one of the most surreal moments in my entire life,” Manzanares said, recalling her acceptance. “It was April 1, so there was a large part of me that low-key thought it was an April Fool’s prank. It was definitely one of the best moments of my life. I was totally ecstatic.”
For Manzanares, a student from a small graduating class at a small school, the Summer Institute was transformative. A typical day included large group meetings, three-hour classes on college guidance, test preparation and writing instruction, plus community-building activities.
The program featured visits to colleges, including Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Haverford College and Trinity College.
Beyond academics, LEDA emphasizes leadership and community impact. Each scholar designs a community impact project, and Manzanares’ was focused on improving academic success at Mesa Vista. The project, presented by Manzanares through slides to LEDA peers and staff, was one of several public speaking exercises that she found most impactful. Moreover, being in a new state away from home encouraged growth and inspired possibilities, she said.
“Being away for five weeks in a totally different state all the way across the country, helps you feel more comfortable with the idea of attending such a large university,” Manzanares said.
With her summer travel completed, Manzanares is now back at Mesa Vista striving to inspire her peers.
“I really love the idea of helping other people know that they have this opportunity, especially in our state, and letting them know, ‘hey, this is possible, even if you think it’s not,’” Manzanares said.
Trujillo hopes her success will motivate others in the district and across the state.
“She brings back the message of possibility, that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, put the effort into it, and follow through,” Trujillo said.