The Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PR/HYLI) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.  Founder Assemblyman Angelo Del Toro provided opportunities for Hispanics youth to envision themselves in the political arena.  Hispanic students from Western New York participate annually in a mock assembly session in the chambers of the New York State Assembly in Albany debating current bills.  More than 400 students from Buffalo, Dunkirk, and Jamestown have participated in this event over the past twenty years. 

Denise Góñez-Santos and Michael Capurso of the West Region BETAC at Erie 1 BOCES began the Western New York Delegation in 1990.  Since 2007, Vega Sánchez Hernández, BETAC Coordinator has lead the regional delegation.  Past trainers and chaperones include: Abigail Nieves, Ana Soto, José Martínez, Dr. John Navas Pérez, Marta Carrero, Carmen Montañez, José Rivera, Susanne Heist, Ignacio Parra, Manuel Estrada and Giovanna Claudio, to name a few.

This event coincides with the annual legislative conference “Somos El Futuro.” For more information, please click on the invitation below and register to celebrate with us at the 20th Anniversary Gala which will take place on Friday, April 30th, 2010 at Salvatore's Italian Gardens.