Alvaro Alberto Alvarado
Guatemala
Universidad Rafael Landívar
Field: Economics
Interests:
Volunteer with the national project “Un Techo para mi pais”. Help teaching the youngest students at the orphanage he lives at. He plays the Marimba.

Policarpio Chay
Guatemala
Universidad del Valle - Altiplano
Field: Tourism
Interests:
Currently studying a certificate in tourism. He is a member of SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise). He promoted among his fellow students the creation of several newspapers.

Sulmy Chox
Guatemala
San Carlos University
Field: Education
Interests:
Sharing her knowledge and culture. She helped facilitate the project “Niños y niñas por la paz” (Boy and Girls for peace) which is now being used in other countries.

Aura Flores
Guatemala
Field: Math and Physics
Interests:
She aspires to be an excellent teacher. She excelled as a participant in the National Mathematics Contest and also received several awards as a distinguished student. She has worked with children from a public school to teach them about recycling and environmental preservation.

Astrid Giron
Guatemala
Francisco Marroquín University
Field: Business Administration
Interests:
Member of “Alumnos Anfitriones UFM” (Hosting Alumni UFM) where she actively participates in the organization, and has developed a variety of forums, dialogues, conferences and projects. She participated in several community organizations and volunteers in asylums and hospitals for children, adults and the elderly.

Jenniffer Lopez
Guatemala
Rafael Landívar University
Field: Political and Social Sciences
Interests:
Volunteerism. She has developed workshops for young students on topics such as self-esteem, sexual education, and gender.

Erick Montufar
Guatemala
Francisco Marroquín University
Field: Business
Interests:
Committed to giving back to his community. He is involved in the national project “Un techo para mi país” (A roof for my country). He is also an active member of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

Pablo Nix Chan
Guatemala
Mariano Galvez University
Field: Computer Sciences
Interests:
Actively involved in his community, teaching others to read and use computers. He believes education and perseverance are the keys to success.

Evelyn Ordonez
Guatemala
Mariano Galvez University
Field: Business Administration
Interests:
Keep learning and to actively participate in cultural and social activities. She is currently working with the “Project Agro Industrial de Vivienda Popular” (Agro-industrial project for Popular housing) in which people recycle glass, paper, plastic and metal to build coffee seedbed, greenhouses and other structures to benefit communities.

Ana Lucía Tucux
Guatemala
San Carlos University
Field: Economics
Interests:
She has a high level of commitment to public service. She interested in preserving the indigenous traditions and culture of Guatemala and is a member of the Mayan Dance Group “Wajshaquib Bat'z”.

Germán Ake
México
Universidad de Oriente
Field: Linguistics and Mayan Culture
Interests:
Playing soccer in his community's team. He would like to focus on programs for his community that encourages education and sports.  He participated in the translation of the Mayan Constitution. He is about to publish a book that collects his hometown's traditions and practices and is also currently involved in translating the “Mozilla” web browser.

José Carlos Franco
México
Universidad Veracruzana Intercultural
Field: Intercultural Management for the Development
Interests:
A Master's Degree in Sustainable Development and a Ph.D. in Community organization and development with a focus on global warming and its effect in the Gulf of Mexico's flora and fauna. He enjoys helping others and playing volleyball in his university's team.

Irvin Gómez
México
Instituto Superior de San Miguel
Field: Forestry
Interests:
Environmental preservation. Concerned with the little interest that younger generations show for folk art, he is seeking ways to attract them to preserve their traditional music and customs.  He has volunteered to give presentations on conservation and restoration and has participated in reforestation campaigns.

Crystian Leal
México
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos
Field: Engineering in Rural Development
Interests:
Pursuing an engineering degree in Rural Development that has provided access to her State's indigenous communities and the benefit of reaching out to adults and children alike.  Her future plans include the possibility of occupying a public position in her community.

Oliva Ponce
México
Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado
Field: Adminstration
Interests:
Open someday her own company to create job opportunities and improve the living conditions in her community. Among the extra-curricular projects she has been involved with are: a forum on values, serving as an intern in a consulting firm advising farmers, and in the organization of a conflict resolution program.

Hilario Poot
México
Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo
Field: Linguistics and Culture
Interests:
Teaching Mayan and also playing the guitar in a group that uses rock and modern music creatively to reach out to young audiences in their native language. He is eager to visit the U.S. to become more familiar with its education system and to observe organizational aspects that have made it a great nation.

Isael Salazar
México
Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo
Field: Engineering in Agriculture
Interests:
Participating in an innovative project called “Photovoices” that involves the people in his community taking photographs of their day-to-day living followed by group discussions.  He plans to pursue graduate studies in Agro-forestry combined with negotiation skills aiming to seek a sustainable focus to improve his community's quality of life.

Luis Angel Santiz
México
Universidad Pedagógica Nacional
Field: Indigenous Education
Interests:
He is interested in political processes and supported political campaigns in his community.  He has served as his class representative to the Student Body. He has also participated in reforestation campaigns planting 3,300 trees in his community and giving workshops on environmental care.

Beatriz Santiz
México
Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas
Field: Management and Indigenous Development
Interests:
Pursuing a degree in Indigenous management and development. She believes that “leaders must help others to jointly pursue common development”.  She is also interested in sharing her experience with others and therefore enriches her knowledge.

Maricela Zurita
México
Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca
Field:  Educational Sciences
Interests:
Assisting other women, particularly as it relates to reproductive and human rights issues. She has played an active role as a fundraiser to build resources to enable indigenous women to pursue high school studies. She received the prestigious National Youth Prize in 2008 from the president of Mexico, Felipe Calderón.