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SPAIN SALUTES FCPS & LANGLEY — DISCOVER STUDENT DIPLOMACY IN ACTION
From Gálvez to America250
"Two centuries apart, still united in keeping her flame alive."
— Ryan Minton, President, Langley World Affairs Club
In February 2025, Ryan Minton, founder and president of the Langley World Affairs Club at Langley High School, visited the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. During that visit, he was introduced to Bernardo de Gálvez—a key ally of the American Revolution whose contributions he had never encountered in his study of American history.
A simple discovery soon evolved into a student-led educational initiative reaching students across Fairfax County. Under Ryan's leadership, the Langley World Affairs Club partnered with the Embassy of Spain to launch the inaugural Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest, helping students explore Spain's role in American independence, the enduring friendship between Spain and the United States, and the broader Hispanic contributions that helped shape the American story.
Over time, the focus expanded beyond the story of a single ally during the American Revolution to a broader examination of the international partnerships that have shaped—and continue to shape—the American story.
As America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, this page traces how a single discovery at the Embassy of Spain evolved into an educational effort connecting students, educators, diplomats, and institutions through the shared study of history, citizenship, and international partnership.
Ryan Minton with the statue of Bernardo de Gálvez at the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C.—the place where the initiative's story began.
Key Milestones
ES | February 14, 2025
Discovery of Bernardo de Gálvez at the Embassy of Spain
🏆 | September 6, 2025
Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest Awards Ceremony
EU | March 20, 2026
America250 concept approved by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States
✍️ | September 8, 2026
Planned launch of Alliances That Sustain America
Discovering Bernardo de Gálvez
One Question Led to Another
“My hope is that other students will come to know this important patriot, just as readily as they know figures like Paul Revere.”
— Ryan Minton, March 2025
On February 14, 2025, Ryan Minton, founder and president of the Langley World Affairs Club, visited the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. As he entered the Embassy, Ryan passed a bronze statue of Bernardo de Gálvez. Though the figure briefly caught his attention, it remained little more than a passing curiosity as he hurried into the building.
During the visit, Embassy officials spoke about Spain's role in the American Revolution and the extraordinary contributions of Gálvez—a military leader whose support helped advance the cause of American independence. Ryan learned that Gálvez had provided critical military, financial, and strategic support to the American cause and was later recognized as one of the few honorary citizens of the United States.
The discovery was striking. Here was a figure who had helped shape the outcome of the American Revolution and whose contributions had been recognized by Congress, yet his name had never entered Ryan's understanding of the period.
The realization raised an unexpected question. If Bernardo de Gálvez had played such an important role in the American Revolution and had later been recognized as an honorary citizen of the United States, why had Ryan never encountered him before?
As Ryan searched for answers, one question led to another. The more he learned about Gálvez, the more he appreciated that even familiar historical events can reveal new insights when examined from a different angle.
The question that emerged was simple: if a student actively engaged in history, world affairs, and diplomacy had never encountered Bernardo de Gálvez, how many other students might benefit from learning about Spain's contribution to American independence?
That question soon evolved into action. Rather than simply learning the story for himself, Ryan set out to share it with others. What began as a single visit to the Embassy of Spain ultimately led to the creation of the Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest—an initiative designed to encourage students to explore the international dimensions of American history and the enduring partnerships that helped shape the United States.
The statue of Bernardo de Gálvez at the Embassy of Spain became the starting point for a student-led effort to broaden historical understanding through curiosity, scholarship, and public engagement.
The statue of Bernardo de Gálvez at the Embassy of Spain inspired a student-led effort to encourage students to look beyond familiar narratives and explore the international dimensions of American history.
Turning Discovery into Action
The Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest
The question that emerged at the Embassy of Spain did not end with research.
As Ryan learned more about Bernardo de Gálvez and Spain's contributions to American independence, he began thinking about how other students might encounter the same discovery. Rather than simply sharing what he had learned, he wanted students to investigate the subject for themselves, ask their own questions, and develop their own conclusions through research and writing.
As founder and president of the Langley World Affairs Club, Ryan saw an opportunity to transform that idea into action. Working alongside fellow student leaders and club members, he mobilized the Langley World Affairs Club around a new educational initiative centered on Bernardo de Gálvez and the international dimensions of the American Revolution.
In partnership with the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C., the Langley World Affairs Club launched the inaugural Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest, inviting students across Fairfax County to explore a story that had sparked Ryan's own curiosity just months earlier.
What began as a single question soon evolved into a collaborative effort involving diplomats, educators, students, librarians, and community partners across Fairfax County.
The goal was not simply to organize a contest. It was to create opportunities for discovery.
Official Launch
In March 2025, Ambassador Ángeles Moreno provided her official endorsement of the inaugural Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest, recognizing the initiative's educational value and its effort to introduce students to Spain's role in the American Revolution.
March 11, 2025 — The Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest was officially launched at the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. Pictured are Antonio García Roger, Political Counselor; Ryan Minton, President of the Langley World Affairs Club; and Carla Cabrera Cuadrado, Public Diplomacy Officer.
Copy of 250311_Letter to Mr. Ryan Minton_Langley World Affairs Club_President.pdfThe Langley World Affairs Club
Under Ryan's leadership, members of the Langley World Affairs Club helped transform a single discovery into a countywide educational initiative, supporting outreach efforts designed to introduce students across Fairfax County to the story of Bernardo de Gálvez.
Sharing the Discovery
To introduce students to Bernardo de Gálvez and encourage participation, Ryan led the development of a countywide outreach campaign through the Langley World Affairs Club. The initiative combined educational content, promotional materials, school-based outreach, and partnerships with educators, libraries, and community organizations throughout Fairfax County.
The graphics below represent a portion of the campaign used to introduce students to Bernardo de Gálvez, communicate the contest's educational mission, and encourage participation through curiosity, research, and discovery.
Measuring the Impact
What Happened When Students Began Asking the Question
What began as a single question at the Embassy of Spain ultimately grew into a countywide educational initiative reaching students, educators, and libraries throughout Fairfax County.
During the contest's inaugural year, outreach efforts extended across Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax County Public Library system. Teachers, librarians, school administrators, and community leaders helped introduce students to the story of Bernardo de Gálvez and Spain's contribution to American independence.
The response exceeded expectations. Students from across Fairfax County chose to research, reflect, and write about a historical figure many had never encountered before. Educators incorporated contest materials into classrooms, shared resources with colleagues, and encouraged participation through school announcements, student organizations, and library displays.
Most importantly, students chose to engage with a story that many had never encountered before, demonstrating how curiosity can lead to new learning and deeper historical understanding.
71
Student Essays Submitted
1,600+
Educators and Community Contacts Reached
67%
FCPS High Schools Represented by Participating Educators
42%
FCPS Middle Schools Represented by Participating Educators
Grades 7–12
Participation Across Every Eligible Grade Level
70%
Fairfax County Libraries Displayed Contest Materials
The Discovery Spreads
The Response Across Fairfax County, VA
Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS Superintendent at the 2025 Essay Contest "Bernardo de Gálvez" Awards Ceremony, Spanish Cultural Center, Washington, DC 9/6/25
"You might say almost I wonder if our revolution would have been successful those many years ago had we not had the support and partnership of Bernardo de Galvez."
Dr. Geovanny Ponce, FCPS Chief of Schools at the 2025 Essay Contest "Bernardo de Gálvez" Awards Ceremony, Spanish Cultural Center, Washington, DC 9/6/25
"...Someone that was from another country, culture and coming to the United States to fight for independence. I think that this is extremely important, how the world actually was shaping."
Woodson High School Awardees Principal Kevin Greata and Spanish Teacher Katrina Cohen at the 2025 Essay Contest "Bernardo de Gálvez" Awards Ceremony, Spanish Cultural Center, Washington, DC 9/6/25
"...Ryan, I wanted to personally thank you for reaching out to share this amazing opportunity with the students at Woodson. I have advertised this opportunity with the members of the Spanish Honor Society and I’m sure you will get some essay submissions from our school ...Thanks again for your meaningful work with the World Affairs Club! Keep at it!" - Katrina Cohen
From Spain to Europe
From One Ally to Twenty-Seven
The Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest began as a partnership between the Langley World Affairs Club and the Embassy of Spain. As the initiative gained momentum, its impact attracted interest beyond the original project.
Following the success of the 2025 Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest, officials at the Embassy of Spain introduced Ryan to the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. In recommending the initiative, Embassy officials highlighted the contest's success in engaging students, educators, libraries, and community partners across Fairfax County.
What began as an effort to explore Spain's contribution to American independence was now evolving into a broader conversation about the international partnerships that have shaped the American story.
Over the following months, Ryan met with officials from the European Union and developed a new America250 concept designed to expand the educational model pioneered through the Gálvez initiative.
On March 20, 2026, the Delegation of the European Union to the United States approved the concept for Alliances That Sustain America, marking the expansion of the initiative beyond its original focus. Scheduled to launch on September 8, 2026, the initiative will invite students to explore how international partnerships continue to contribute to peace, prosperity, security, and democratic cooperation in the modern era.
Alliances That Sustain America
The Next Chapter Begins September 8, 2026
What began with a question at the Embassy of Spain grew into a countywide educational initiative reaching students, educators, libraries, and community leaders across Fairfax County.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the Langley World Affairs Club remains committed to connecting students with history, diplomacy, and the international partnerships that help shape our world.
The Langley World Affairs Club will launch the Alliances That Sustain America Essay Contest in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, continuing the educational mission that began with Bernardo de Gálvez and expanding it from the story of one ally to the partnerships that continue to shape the American story today.
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