A select group of students at Jimmy Carter Early College High School participated in the start of the next cohort of The United Way’s Youth Leadership Mentorship Program, an initiative focused on leadership development, communication skills and community engagement.
The program, sponsored by United Way of South Texas, continues its work across multiple school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. Jimmy Carter Early College High School is among the campuses participating in the 2025–26 cohort.
The cohort includes 26 students, with 13 juniors selected to serve as mentors and 13 freshmen who will be guided through the program. The mentorship model pairs upperclassmen with underclassmen to foster peer leadership, accountability and positive relationships across grade levels.
Lily Lopez, president and CEO of United Way of South Texas, addressed students during the cohort kickoff and emphasized that leadership is developed through responsibility, humility and everyday actions.
“This program is about leadership, responsibility and relationships,” Lopez said. “You’re learning how to support one another, communicate and grow together, and those are skills that will matter far beyond high school.”
Lopez also encouraged students to approach mentor-mentee relationships with an open mind, noting that learning flows in both directions.
“One of the things we consistently hear from students is that they form connections they never expected,” Lopez said. “Mentors learn from mentees just as much as mentees learn from mentors.”
Students who complete all required sessions are eligible to receive a $100 stipend at the conclusion of the program in April.
Velma Garcia, United Way of South Texas program coordinator, outlined the curriculum students will complete throughout the year, which includes sessions on leadership, communication, career exploration, mental health, financial literacy, digital literacy and a culminating community service project.
“These sessions are designed to help students grow as leaders and understand their role in the community,” Garcia said. “At the end of the program, students will work together to complete a service project that gives back and makes a real impact.”
Sonia Hernandez, who is coordinating the program at the campus level, reviewed expectations for student participants, emphasizing attendance, positive behavior, respect and active engagement. Hernandez said the program supports students academically and socially while reinforcing positive leadership habits.
Junior mentor Hayden Gonzalez said the kickoff set a positive tone for the year.
“It was a positive experience,” Gonzalez said. “I’m excited to build a connection with my mentee and grow as a leader alongside them."