IN photos: hyla 2026 Nashville

In 2026, the Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy held four sessions across the United States with students from North and Latin America. In Nashville, TN, ecumenical high school students across the USA gathered around addressing issues in the church and our communities.

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.