SPAIN SALUTES FCPS & LANGLEY — DISCOVER STUDENT DIPLOMACY IN ACTION
“As we honor their achievements, we also celebrate you—the educators, mentors, administrators, staff, and loved ones who made their journey possible. Your presence affirms the kind of partnership—across generations and nations—that makes lasting peace and progress possible.”
— Ángeles Moreno Bau, Ambassador of Spain to the United States
Invitation to the 2025 Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest Awards Ceremony
Embassy of Spain, Washington, D.C.
August 19, 2025
(Front L-R: Ryan Minton, President; Anastasiia Dudnik-Dubiniak, Student Ambassador. Back L-R: Shveta Sunkar, Co-President; Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS Superintendent; Dr. Geovanny Ponce, FCPS Chief of Schools; Kyle McDaniel, Member At-Large, FCPS School Board; Greta Coleman, Co-President)
A defining moment for student diplomacy: The Langley World Affairs Club with FCPS leadership at the 2025 Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, Spanish Cultural Center, Washington, DC (9/6/25).
👉 View the full photo album — Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, Spanish Cultural Center, Washington, DC (9/6/25)
The 2025 Awards Ceremony brought together more than 200 students, families, and officials to celebrate the legacy of Bernardo de Gálvez and how FCPS students are living the Portrait of a Graduate — going beyond the classroom and books to lead with creativity, collaboration, and global citizenship.
71 FCPS students received Pioneer Awards
6 students earned Category Awards
Woodson High School was honored with the Institutional Excellence Award
The ceremony featured keynote remarks from Ángeles Moreno Bau, Ambassador of Spain to the United States, Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Geovanny Ponce, FCPS Chief of Schools, and School Board Members Ryan McElveen and Kyle McDaniel.
👉 Dr. Reid also highlighted the event in her Weekly Reflections – September 8, 2025 (scroll down for the mention).
It was also a milestone moment for the Langley World Affairs Club. I received the inaugural Bernardo de Gálvez Leadership Award, the first ever presented by the Embassy of Spain, while club officers Greta Coleman, Shveta Sunkar, and Student Ambassador Anastasiia Dudnik-Dubiniak were recognized with Distinguished Service Awards. Seeing Principal Stroud (left) at the ceremony, alongside other FCPS principals from Thomas Jefferson and Woodson, made the ceremony even more meaningful.
Cheers,
Ryan Minton, Founder and President
Greta Coleman, Co-President
Shveta Sunkar, C0-President
Anastasiia Dudnik-Dubiniak, Student Ambassador
Langley World Affairs Club
🌍 Join the Club. Explore the World.
(L-R: Anastasiia Dudnik-Dubiniak, Club Student Ambassador; Ambassador of Spain to the United States Ángeles Moreno Bau; Ryan Minton, Club President; Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS Superintendent; Dr. Geovanny Ponce, FCPS Chief of Schools; Ryan McElveen and Kyle McDaniel, Members At-Large, FCPS School Board.)
(L: Ryan Minton leads the way, Ambassador of Spain to the United States Ángeles Moreno Bau; Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS Superintendent; Dr. Geovanny Ponce, FCPS Chief of Schools; Kyle McDaniel and Ryan McElveen and, Members At-Large, FCPS School Board.)
Ryan Minton, President, Langley World Affairs Club
🎉 2025 Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest Awards Ceremony
All students who submitted an essay are called to attend and will be formally recognized by the Ambassador of Spain to the United States. Join us for a diplomatic celebration of bold, original contributions that helped bring two nations closer together—paving a new path for diplomacy in the 21st century. We warmly welcome loved ones, educators, staff, and administrators to be part of this special occasion.
📅 Saturday, September 6, 2025
🕘 Please arrive by 9:30 AM for check-in and security
🕙 Awards Ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 AM and concludes around 11:30 AM
📍 Spanish Cultural Center
2801 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
👔 Dress Code
In keeping with U.S. State Department-style protocol for diplomatic events, guests are asked to wear Western business attire. Suggested attire includes suits or blazers with ties for young men, and professional dresses or suits for young women.
🎙️ Remarks are scheduled to be delivered by the Ambassador of Spain along with other distinguished guests. 🥐 Following the ceremony, guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments and a commemorative group photo.
👉 Please RSVP here to let us know if you’ll attend and how many guests you’ll bring—your response helps us plan a meaningful and well-organized ceremony.
The Spanish Cultural Center serves as the headquarters of the Embassy of Spain’s Cultural Office and the home of the Spain–USA Foundation. It hosts exhibitions, performances, and events that highlight Spanish creativity and foster cultural exchange.
260619_ Save the date Bernardo de Gálvez Awards Ceremony September 6.pdfEmbassy Invite e-card.pngThe Langley World Affairs Club is honored to announce the category award recipients of the inaugural Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest. These six students distinguished themselves through exceptional research, original analysis, and historical insight—bringing renewed attention to a pivotal alliance in the American Revolution and U.S.–Spain relations.
In addition to these top honors, all 71 student participants have been inducted into the Original 71 and awarded the Pioneer Award, recognizing their initiative and role in launching a model for historical inquiry and international friendship. All 71 students will be formally recognized by the Ambassador of Spain to the United States at the official awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
🥇🥈🥉 High School Awards (Grades 9–12)
🥇 First Place
Student: Isabella Nguyen
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Profound Impact of Bernardo de Gálvez
🥈 Second Place
Student: Caroline Li
Grade: 11
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: El Héroe Desconocido de Los Estados Unidos
🥉 Third Place
Student: Aryan Romero Zamani
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Unsung Hero Who United the Nation
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🥇🥈🥉 Middle School Division (Grades 7–8)
🥇 First Place
Student: Sofia Brashear
Grade: 8
School: Longfellow Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Man We Need Now
🥈 Second Place
Student: Amelia Neo
Grade: 8
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: The Neglected Savior of the American Revolutionary War
🥉 Third Place
Student: Spriha Mohanty
Grade: 7
School: Luther Jackson Middle School
Essay Title: America's Secret Weapon Behind Victory
This image of Bernardo de Gálvez writing at a desk was generated using AI (ChatGPT with DALL·E) on May 21, 2025, based on a custom prompt created by Ryan Minton. It is a modern digital interpretation inspired by 18th-century portraiture and is not a historical artifact.
Each of the 71 Fairfax County students listed below submitted an original, eligible essay for the inaugural Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest—and in doing so, earned the Pioneer Award. This honor recognizes their initiative, insight, and commitment to exploring diplomacy, alliance, and overlooked history.
These students are more than participants—they are the Original 71, the founding cohort of what is now a growing national tradition. Each played a critical role in launching this effort and is formally invited, at the request of the Ambassador of Spain to the United States, to take part in the official awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.—so that she may recognize each student in person and honor their role in helping solidify Bernardo de Gálvez’s place in American history.
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Lilly Agnew
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Galvez: A Champion of International Affairs
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Benjamin Ainsworth
Grade: 11
School: Oakton High School
Essay Title: The Silent Comrade
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Saji Alqadhi
Grade: 11
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Essay Title: The Crucial Strategic Chain
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Sameeh Asif
Grade: 10
School: Langley High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Forgotten Architect of American Independence
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Ashley Ballesteros
Grade: 11
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez, un Héroe Olvidado de la Revolución Americana
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Jazmin Barrera
Grade: 7
School: Robinson Secondary
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: America's Savior
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Aritrya Barua
Grade: 7
School: Carl Sandburg Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: An Everlasting Legacy Carved in Freedom
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Joseph Bobek
Grade: 8
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez's Help During the American Revolution
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Sophia Brashear
Grade: 8
School: Longfellow Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Man We Need Now
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Nageen Butt
Grade: 12
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: La valentía de un guerrero interestatal
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Delaney Caldwell
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Recognizing Spanish Support
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Sophia Chang
Grade: 8
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: Legendary Icon, Military Leader, and Strategic Genius in Spanish-American History: Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Kaitlin Chang
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez Brings Freedom
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Yuzhe Chen
Grade: 9
School: Langley High School
Essay Title: The Hidden Hero: Bernardo de Gálvez's Crucial Role in American Independence
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Kyra Chinoy
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: A Fight For Independence
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Nathan Cryer
Grade: 7
School: Langston Hughes Middle School
Essay Title: Yo Solo - A Biography of the Life of Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Tuan Dang
Grade: 10
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Essay Title: How One Can Tip the Scales of War
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Surafel Demeke
Grade: 11
School: Westfield High School
Essay Title: The Spanish Eagle Soars With The American Spirit
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Jai Dhawan
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Great Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Ridheema Dusange
Grade: 7
School: Luther Jackson Middle School
Essay Title: The Shot of Courage - Remebering Bernardo De Galvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Phoebe Emerick
Grade: 8
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Spanish Hero of the American Revolution
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Cindy Perez Galeas
Grade: 11
School: West Potomac High School
Essay Title: The Unsung Hero of American Independence and Spanish-American Friendship
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Camden Gilman
Grade: 10
School: Oakton High School
Essay Title: Forgotten Hero, Unbreakable bond
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Olivia Hao
Grade: 8
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: The Lasting Impacts of Bernardo de Galvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Cora Harris
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The U.S.’s Forgotten Hero
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Marissa Jimenez
Grade: 12
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Heroic Contributor to Spanish-American Friendship: Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Kristina Kharabadze
Grade: 7
School: Robinson Secondary School
Essay Title: The Story of the Spanish Hero Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Joshua Kornegay
Grade: 7
School: Robinson Secondary School
Essay Title: How Bernardo de Gálvez Helped the Colonies During the American Revolution
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: David Lee
Grade: 10
School: Chantilly High School
Essay Title: The Bridge Between Two Nations
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Juhe Arin Lee
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Forgotten: How Bernardo de Gálvez Helped Shape the United States
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Isaac Lee
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: La Historia de Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Caroline Li
Grade: 11
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: El Héroe Desconocido de Los Estados Unidos
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Riley Mack
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Underappreciated but Essential Contributions of Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Akshaya Nakshatra Madhubalan
Grade: 7
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: Yo Solo: The Courage and Strategy of Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Bianca Mata
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: An Unsung Hero of American Freedom
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Maire (Reiss) McGinley
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Louisiana, New Spain
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Sofia Messersmith
Grade: 8
School: Longfellow Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálves-The Power of Grit and Alliances
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Stella Milam
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Gálvez’s Vision: The Spanish-American Alliance That Shaped the Future
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Spriha Mohanty
Grade: 7
School: Luther Jackson Middle School
Essay Title: America's Secret Weapon Behind Victory
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Isabelle Nam
Grade: 10
School: Chantilly High School
Essay Title: Spain's Silent Sword
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Amelia Neo
Grade: 8
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: The Neglected Savior of the American Revolutionary War
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Isabella Nguyen
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Profound Impact of Bernardo de Gálvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Taylor Nyland
Grade: 7
School: Robinson Secondary School
Essay Title: The Accomplishments of Bernando De Galvez
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Adriana Palomino
Grade: 12
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez's Legacy
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Tyler Pechenik
Grade: 7
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: Unsung Hero of American Independence, and Transformer of U.S.-Spanish Relations
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Charles Price
Grade: 9
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Essay Title: Héroe Olvidado de la Revolución Americana
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Kohana Ramachandran
Grade: 10
School: Oakton High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Forgotten Hero
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Mia Ramos
Grade: 12
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: A Forgotten Hero of the American Revolution
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Sadaf Ranjber
Grade: 10
School: South County High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez, A Hero to be Remembered
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Ariana Raungtriphop
Grade: 7
School: Frost Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo De Gálvez: A Spanish Revolutionary Hero
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Khush Ravella
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Galvez: A Hero of the American Revolution
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Annalise Richardson
Grade: 11
School: West Potomac High School
Essay Title: From Here to Eternity: The Lasting Legacy of Bernardo de Gálvez in U.S.–Spain Relations
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Caroline Rivera
Grade: 9
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez - La Clave Para Luchar en La Guerra de la Libertad Americana
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Ferris Sawtari
Grade: 9
School: Langley High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Forgotten Spanish Hero Whose Torch Lit the Way to America’s Independence
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: James Scheid
Grade: 9
School: Langley High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Backbone of Spanish-American Relations
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Jordan Schulman
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: A Crucial Figure
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Madison Seyfert
Grade: 11
School: West Potomac High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Lionhearted Leader of the American Revolution
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Akule Sharma
Grade: 11
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez, The Forgotten Hero
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Jenna Sharp
Grade: 12
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez the Spanish War Hero
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Bryn Smith
Grade: 9
School: Langley High School
Essay Title: A Forgotten Hero
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Hudson Soto-Napoli
Grade: 8
School: Lake Braddock Secondary School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez: The Forgotten Ally Who Helped Win American Independence
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Anya Tong
Grade: 9
School: Langley High School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Galvez: Independence, Diplomacy, and the Importance of History
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Emily Tran
Grade: 10
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Essay Title: El Enemigo del mi Enemigo es mi Amigo
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Sebastian Uriona Vasquez
Grade: 9
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Essay Title: The Overlooked Hero of Our Independence
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Brinley Vaughan
Grade: 8
School: Robinson Secondary School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Gálvez Cadet to Viceroy of New Spain
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Evelyn Volovar
Grade: 9
School: Langley High School
Essay Title: Spain and America: A Lasting Relationship that Started with Revolution
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Madison Williams
Grade: 12
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Key to America
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Dante Wojtaszek
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: Bernando de Gálvez and His Impact on the American Revolution
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Bella Wu
Grade: 7
School: Cooper Middle School
Essay Title: Bernardo de Galvez: A Hero Who Shaped America’s Independence
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Kylie Xavier
Grade: 10
School: Oakton High School
Essay Title: Honor Our Past: How Gálvez and Spain Shaped the US-Spanish Bond
Inducted into the Original 71
Student: Aryan Romero Zamani
Grade: 10
School: Woodson High School
Essay Title: The Unsung Hero Who United the Nation
