IN photos: hyla 2026 chicago & austin

In 2026, the Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy held four sessions across the United States with students from North and Latin America. In Chicago, IL, and Austin, TX ecumenical college-aged students gathered to discuss faith based approaches to current social issues and discern calls to ministry across fields of study.

HYLA youth and facilitators pose for a photo around a tiered fountain in a sunny university courtyard, surrounded by green trees, shrubs, and campus buildings.

HYLA youth and facilitators pose for a photo around a tiered fountain in a sunny university courtyard, surrounded by green trees, shrubs, and campus buildings.

HYLA youth and staff stand in a circle on a grassy campus lawn, leaning inward and joining their hands together, with trees and a stone university building in the background.

HYLA youth and staff stand in a circle on a grassy campus lawn, leaning inward and joining their hands together, with trees and a stone university building in the background.

HYLA youth and staff pose for a photo on wooden steps inside the Upperroom Chapel in Nashville, TN, beneath a large cross-shaped artwork and tall windows in a high, wood-paneled ceiling.

HYLA youth and staff pose for a photo on wooden steps inside the Upperroom Chapel in Nashville, TN, beneath a large cross-shaped artwork and tall windows in a high, wood-paneled ceiling.

HYLA youth listen to a guided tour of Vanderbilt Divinity School, surrounded by religious artwork, informational displays, and wooden wall panels.

HYLA youth listen to a guided tour of Vanderbilt Divinity School, surrounded by religious artwork, informational displays, and wooden wall panels.

HYLA youth work together to plant and care for young plants in a sunny community garden.

HYLA youth work together to plant and care for young plants in a sunny community garden.

HYLA youth sit around a picnic table outdoors, painting pictures with watercolors and art supplies in front of a stone building.

HYLA youth sit around a picnic table outdoors, painting pictures with watercolors and art supplies in front of a stone building.

HYLA youth and facilitators pose together in front of a Vanderbilt University sign, with colorful flower beds, trees, and a brick building in the background.

HYLA youth and facilitators pose together in front of a Vanderbilt University sign, with colorful flower beds, trees, and a brick building in the background.

HYLA youth gather outside a red-brick university building with an arched stone entrance, listening to a guide speak near the open doorway.

HYLA youth gather outside a red-brick university building with an arched stone entrance, listening to a guide speak near the open doorway.

HYLA youth and facilitators sit in a circle in a campus lounge with yellow couches and chairs, in a group discussion with Dr. Jesus Ruiz of Vanderbilt University.

HYLA youth and facilitators sit in a circle in a campus lounge with yellow couches and chairs, in a group discussion with Dr. Jesus Ruiz of Vanderbilt University.