Lehigh Valley student wins Raíces contest, judged by José Andrés, Cecilia Vega, and a jury spanning journalism, diplomacy, philanthropy, media, and history.
WASHINGTON, D.C., DC, UNITED STATES, October 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, the Embassy of Spain, and Vista, the K–12 division of Vista Higher Learning, announced Kelsey McIntyre, a student at The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, as the winner of the first Raíces national essay contest. Created by Spanish journalist Guillermo Fesser, the contest invited middle and high school students nationwide to explore Hispanic history and culture in their own communities as part of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
In her winning essay, “Masa y Memoria: How Casey’s Empanadas Feed More Than Hunger,” McIntyre writes about her cousin Casey, who makes empanadas by feel, the way his mother and grandmother taught him. The essay reflects on how food carries culture, language, and memory across a scattered family, closing on sobremesa, the time spent lingering at the table after a meal.
McIntyre was recognized on Oct. 3 at an awards ceremony at the Embassy of Spain during National Hispanic Heritage Month. She and her teacher, Sophia Betancourt, will each bring a companion on a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Spain in summer 2027, visiting Madrid, Seville, Málaga, and sites linked to U.S. independence.
The contest received just shy of 400 submissions nationwide in English, Spanish, or both. Judges included World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés, 60 Minutes correspondent Cecilia Vega, Telemundo Chairman Luis Fernández, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain Julissa Reynoso, and Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Ada Ferrer.
“What makes the finalists’ essays so powerful is their specificity. Hispanic heritage isn’t something distant or abstract; it is present here and now,” said Ángeles Moreno Bau, Ambassador of Spain to the United States. “These students didn’t have to search in history books. They simply looked around their communities and families and told their stories.”
Each finalist, along with their teacher and school, received a certificate and commemorative silver coin from the Spanish Royal Mint. Each finalist’s essay will be included in Fesser’s upcoming publication, “Hispanic Roots of the USA.”
Fesser, author of “Conoce a Bernardo de Gálvez / Get to Know Bernardo de Gálvez,” organized Raíces to encourage young people to think critically about the often overlooked contributions of Hispanic communities to the nation’s founding.
“This year’s Raíces finalists show what happens when students see themselves reflected in our shared American story,” said Estuardo Rodríguez, President and CEO of Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino. “When young people document the history and culture around them, they’re not just learning from the past; they’re helping carry it forward, ensuring these stories are seen, valued, and preserved for future generations.”
“The finalists’ essays are a cultural exploration and understanding brought to life through language and literacy,” added Arturo Castillon, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Vista. “We’re proud to have partnered on Raíces to give students the opportunity to showcase their personal experiences that bring our country’s rich Hispanic American history to life.”
The finalists, including McIntyre, were invited to the awards ceremony to celebrate their essays and the stories they uncovered in their own communities.
The other 14 finalists were:
Mary Boakye-Yiadom, Westford Academy, Westford, Massachusetts
Alondra Villalobos Sanchez, Harry D. Jacobs High School, Algonquin, Illinois
Ana Monteiro, Kent Place School, Summit, New Jersey
Maria Vallejo Aquino, East Forsyth High School, Gainesville, Georgia
Ziqi Yang, The Calverton School, Huntingtown, Maryland
Julissa Perez Baeza, Xavier College Preparatory, Phoenix, Arizona
Audrée Alexis Nieves Corrales, Centennial Academy Charter School, Atlanta, Georgia
Manuel Torres Mendez, Port Richmond High School, Staten Island, New York
Oula Ghani, Gateway High School, Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Isabella Urgilez, Kent Place School, Summit, New Jersey
Renata Kindle, North Rockland High School, Thiells, New York
Gabriel Ardila, Jackson-Reed High School, Washington, D.C.
Emma Onyenwere, Mansfield Lake Ridge High School, Mansfield, Texas
Mia Boan, Cooper City High School, Cooper City, Florida
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Sponsors
Raíces was made possible thanks to the support of the Embassy of Spain in the United States, Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, and Vista, with corporate sponsorship from companies committed to the Hispanic community, including Goya Foods, Hisdesat, Iberia, Repsol, Banco Santander, Real Casa de la Moneda (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre), Telemundo, Fundación Gomaespuma, and Fundación Consejo España-Estados Unidos.
About Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino
The Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino strives to create a museum in our nation’s capital to educate, inspire, and encourage respect and understanding of the richness and diversity of the American Latino experience within the U.S. and its territories by highlighting the contributions made by Latino leaders, pioneers, and communities to the American way of life. The FRIENDS organization is not affiliated in any way with the Smithsonian Institution.
www.americanlatinomuseum.org
About the Embassy of Spain, Washington, D.C.
The Embassy of Spain in the United States plays a central role in strengthening the deep and historic bonds between our two nations, rooted in more than five centuries of shared history and democratic values. It fosters broad bilateral cooperation across key areas such as defense, trade, science, education, and culture. Equally important, the Embassy promotes meaningful people-to-people connections—supporting the Spanish-speaking community, encouraging academic exchange, and advancing cultural engagement that brings our societies closer together. For more information, visit https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/washington/
About Vista
Vista, the K–12 division of Vista Higher Learning, is a leading publisher and edtech provider solely dedicated to language learning. For more than 25 years, the company has partnered with educators to create and deliver innovative print and digital solutions that empower diverse learners, develop language and literacy, and promote intercultural understanding. Vista remains committed to its mission of transforming lives through language and literacy. For more information, visit www.VistaHigherLearning.com.
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