WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) welcomed Laredo Area Border Patrol Youth of the Year recipient Camila Sanmiguel and her mother Maria de Rosario Sanmiguel during their visit to Washington, D.C., on a trip sponsored by Congressman Cuellar and the Laredo Chamber of Commerce.

The Border Patrol Youth of the Month program recognizes eleven students from all Laredo area high schools each month. At the end of the academic year, Border Patrol selects one of these students as the Youth of the Year recipient. The students are selected based on their academic achievement, their extracurricular activities and community involvement.

The Youth of the Year program was first introduced by Congressman Cuellar while serving in the Texas State Legislature. This collaborative effort between Congressman Cuellar and the U.S. Border Patrol was established to recognize the local youth for their outstanding accomplishments. This year, Congressman Cuellar, the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, and local donors partnered to sponsor Camila’s visit to Washington D.C. Congressman Cuellar sponsored the flights for Camila and her mother. The Laredo Chamber of Commerce partnered with local donors including Tony Arce from AEP, Mr. Julian Luna, and Mr. Javier Santos, to provide funds for the hotel and additional travel expenses.

Camila, the daughter of Eusebio Gerardo and Maria de Rosario Sanmiguel, a recent graduate from Alexander High School, and was selected and recognized as the Laredo Sector Border Patrol Youth of the Year for 2018. Camila is a member of the National Honor Society, was a member the Class of 2017 National Student Poets as selected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers in cooperation with the Library of Congress. She will be attending Harvard University in the fall where she will pursue a degree in History and Literature. After she completes her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend law school and continue her efforts in literary advocacy.

Today, Congressman Cuellar welcomed Camila Sanmiguel and her mother at the U.S. Capitol. Congressman Cuellar facilitated a series of visits and tours for Camila and her mother including a White House tour, guided visits to the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress, and a Supreme Court Lecture. He also hosted a lunch for them, where they had the opportunity to discuss Camila’s achievements and goals as she starts her undergraduate studies this September at Harvard University.

“It has been a pleasure to welcome Camila and her mother during their visit to our nation’s capital,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Every month, Border Patrol recognizes 11 students through their Youth of the Month Program. Now, through collaborative efforts with local donors and organizations, the Border Patrol Youth of the Year Program gives special recognition to one outstanding student from the community every year. I congratulate Camila in all her accomplishments. She is an excellent student with a bright future ahead of her. I am confident that she will proudly represent her family, our community and Laredo wherever she goes.”

Congressman Cuellar added, “I want to thank U.S. Border Patrol for continuing to recognize Laredo’s top high school students. The Border Patrol Youth of the Month and Youth of the Year programs will continue to impact the community by supporting education amongst the young men and women of Laredo.”

"I am so grateful to have felt the support of such a strong, formative community from my hometown in all my endeavors as a literary ambassador, as a National Student Poet, as a college student, and as Youth of the Year,” said Camila Sanmiguel. “I'm proud to join Congressman Cuellar in representing Laredo, and I want to thank my family, my educators, my supervisors, and my friends for being such an essential part of my trajectory."

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