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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.
The discovery prompted a simple question: 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 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 initiative 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
📜 | March 11, 2025
Embassy of Spain Endorses the Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest
🏆 | 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
Launch of Alliances That Sustain America
From One Ally to Twenty-Seven. The European Union flag symbolizes the next chapter of an educational initiative that began with the study of Bernardo de Gálvez and Spain's contribution to American independence and expanded into a broader exploration of the international partnerships that continue to shape the American story.
2026
Alliances That Sustain America
From One Ally to Twenty-Seven
The rediscovery of Bernardo de Gálvez and Spain's contribution to American independence sparked an examination of the international partnerships that have helped shape the American story.
Building on the success of the Bernardo de Gálvez initiative, the Langley World Affairs Club developed Alliances That Sustain America in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, creating a new America250 educational initiative scheduled to launch in 2026.
Ryan Minton and fellow Langley High School students at European Union Open House Day in Washington, D.C., May 10, 2025. Consistent with the Langley World Affairs Club's mission, experiences such as these encouraged students to engage directly with international institutions, cultures, and partnerships.
Discovering Bernardo de Gálvez
The Question That Started It All
“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, he came to appreciate that even familiar historical events can reveal new insights when examined from a different angle.
The deeper question soon emerged: 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?
Rather than simply learning the story for himself, Ryan set out to share it with others. The search for answers 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.
The initiative 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 students to make discoveries of their own.
Members of the Langley World Affairs Club participate in a live virtual program with the United Nations, November 24, 2024. The Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest emerged from the same educational philosophy that guided the club's programming: encouraging students to explore unfamiliar subjects, ask thoughtful questions, and discover new perspectives.
Official Endorsement and 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.
(Below) In the heart of McLean, the Dolley Madison Library proudly features the Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest poster in its main lobby—inviting all FCPS students to discover a hidden hero of the American Revolution.
(Below) Through a coordinated social media campaign, the Langley World Affairs Club introduced students to Bernardo de Gálvez, promoted the essay contest, and encouraged exploration of Spain's role in the American Revolution. April 2025.
Measuring the Impact
Answering the Question
The Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest grew from a simple question: 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?
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.
The photographs, testimonials, participation statistics, and outreach results that follow provide the answer.
Some of the student awardees at the 2025 Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, Spanish Cultural Center, Washington, D.C., September 6, 2025. Through research and writing, these students explored Spain's contribution to American independence and gained a deeper appreciation for the enduring historical and cultural ties between the United States and the Hispanic world.
A Message from the Ambassador of Spain to the United States
2025 Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest
71
Student Essays Submitted
1,600+
Educators and Community Contacts Reached
42%
FCPS Middle Schools Represented by Participating Educators
70%
Fairfax County Libraries Displayed Contest Materials
67%
FCPS High Schools Represented by Participating Educators
Grades 7–12
Participation Across Every Eligible Grade Level
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 One Ally to Twenty-Seven
From Spain to Europe
Following the success of the 2025 Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest, Ryan proposed extending the educational model that had examined Bernardo de Gálvez, Spain's contribution to American independence, and the Hispanic dimension of the nation's founding to a broader exploration of the international partnerships that have helped shape the American experience.
To pursue the idea, Ryan asked the Embassy of Spain to introduce him to the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. Embassy officials supported the concept and facilitated the introduction, recognizing that the educational framework developed through the Gálvez initiative could be adapted as part of the America250 commemoration.
Over the following months, Ryan met with representatives of the EU Delegation and developed Alliances That Sustain America, a new America250 educational initiative that will be implemented through a student essay contest examining how international partnerships have contributed to the nation's development from its founding to the present day.
On March 20, 2026, the EU Delegation approved the concept, marking the initiative's expansion from a single historical alliance to a broader examination of the partnerships that have helped sustain the United States across 250 years. Scheduled to launch on September 8, 2026, Alliances That Sustain America will invite students to explore how international partnerships continue to contribute to peace, prosperity, security, and democratic cooperation in the modern era.
Ryan Minton and Ambassador Ángeles Moreno Bau at the 2025 Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, Spanish Cultural Center, Washington, D.C., September 6, 2025.
Alliances That Sustain America
⭐The Next Chapter Begins September 8, 2026⭐
On September 8, 2026, 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 inspired by the Bernardo de Gálvez initiative and expanding it from the story of one ally to the international partnerships that continue to shape the American story today.
Students gather during the Langley World Affairs Club Open House on September 12, 2024. The club would later become the launching point for the Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest and the Alliances That Sustain America initiative.
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