Recognized by the Ambassador of Spain to the United States
Impacting 86,540 FCPS Students:Ā GĆ”lvezās Legacy Goes GlobalĀ Ā Ā
Ryan Minton, President of the Langley World Affairs Club, at the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C., leading the Bernardo de GĆ”lvez Essay Contestāhailed by the Embassy for strengthening Spain-U.S. ties and inspiring deeper historical understanding.Ā
"Iāve been entrusted with my first mission by the Ambassador of Spain. Iām still finding my place, but this moment has set something in motionāmy path as a diplomat has begun."
ā Ryan Minton, President, Langley World Affairs Club
A Newly Knighted High School Diplomat Dispatched on the Authority of the Ambassador of SpainĀ
Journal Entry ā March 14, 2025Ā
It began with a visit to the Embassy of Spain. Surrounded by history, I was drawn to a bronze statue of Bernardo de GƔlvez. His steady gaze spoke to me, sparking a curiosity that led to a revelation: despite years of studying history, I had never heard of him. GƔlvez, a hero of the American Revolution, provided vital support to the colonies, and yet his story remained largely untold.
That moment of realization hit me hard. If I, a student at a top high school, was unaware of GĆ”lvez, how many others were too? It wasnāt just a gap in my knowledgeāit was a gap in the education of thousands of students. This was the pivotal moment that drove me to act.
During the visit, two embassy officialsāMs. Carla Cabrera Cuadrado and Mr. Antonio Garcia Rogerāadvanced my education quickly, sharing insights that ignited my desire to make GĆ”lvezās story known. I rallied the Langley World Affairs Club, and together, we are reaching out to educate 86,540 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students about GĆ”lvezās impact on American independence and the enduring U.S.-Spain relationship through the 2025 Bernardo de GĆ”lvez Essay Contest.
The contest isnāt just about learning history; itās about discovering how untold stories shape our world. As Ambassador Ćngeles Moreno wrote in her letter of support, āBernardo de GĆ”lvez was a key figure in the American Revolutionary War, whose leadership, bravery, and strategic brilliance helped secure victory for the American Patriots. His contributions forged an enduring bond between Spain and the United States.ā The contest will āspark curiosity and engagement with both American and Spanish history.ā
The contest targets 86,540 FCPS students, representing:
A global community, including students from nearly every country.
Diverse perspectives, including economically disadvantaged, special education, and multilingual learners.
Inquisitive minds eager to learn and explore.
Looking back on that visit, the statue of Bernardo de GĆ”lvez now serves as a reminder: historyās untold stories shape our world, and itās up to us to discover them.
Iāve been entrusted with my first mission by the Ambassador of Spain. Iām still learning, still searching for my place in this process. The answers arenāt clear yet, but this moment has set something in motion. My path as a diplomat has begun.
250311_Letter to Mr. Ryan Minton_Langley World Affairs Club_President.pdf
Don't miss out! Start your journey now. Learn more and submit your entry at:
Ā 2025 Bernardo de GĆ”lvez Essay Contest
FCPS middle and high school students, this is your chance to dive into history, sharpen your writing skills, and compete for exciting prizes. GĆ”lvez was a hero of the American Revolutionāwill you be the one to tell his story?
šļø March 15, 2025: Essay Competition begins.
šļø May 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EST: Essay submission deadline.
šļø Early June 2025: Winners will be notified. Awards Ceremony at the Embassy of Spain, Washington, D.C. (schedule permitting, date TBD)
Write. Win. Be Celebrated at the Embassy of Spain.
Don't miss out! Start your journey now. Head to the link in bio to learn more and submit your entry!
#GalvezEssayContest #WriteYourLegacy #HistoryMatters #StudentWriters #LangleyWorldAffairs #SpainInTheUSA
Designing the GĆ”lvez Essay: Social Media GraphicsĀ
