VALPARAISO | Hispanic community leaders from Northwest Indiana gathered Thursday at Valparaiso University to discuss a Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute from July 24 to 26 at the university co-sponsored by the Hispanic Organization Promoting Excellence.

The conference would help 46 students from 23 high schools in Lake and Porter counties develop leadership abilities.

"Everything will be paid for," said Jose Arredondo, adjunct assistant professor of education and coordinator of multicultural programs for the university's department of education.

Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez also has been instrumental in the institute's organization.

"We want to make sure the next generation has more opportunities than we do," he said. "As we help improve our Hispanic community, we also help our society. It's appropriate to say we need to help our own people with drugs and gangs and to give them hope."

Students will learn about leadership styles, conflict resolution and effective life management skills. Criteria for attending the institute include having at least one Hispanic parent, holding at minimum a 2.5 grade point average, demonstrating leadership in school or community and writing a two-page essay on why the student wants to attend the institute. The program is open to high school juniors who, based on the criteria, are nominated by their schools' guidance counselors.

Arredondo said leaders decided to open the program to juniors because they hope students demonstrate the leadership skills learned at the institute in their senior year. The idea for the conference developed last year when more than 40 area Hispanic leaders gathered to discuss issues confronting the community. A fundraiser has been planned on May 2 at the Fiesta Palace in Merrillville.

For more information, call (219) 663-8200. For those who wish to sponsor a student's admission to the institute, Arredondo suggested sending a check payable to the Hispanic Leadership Institute in his care at Valparaiso University.