On Friday, April 11, GALEO hosted our 19th annual Leyendas Essay Reading at the Georgia State Capitol. Attendees gathered to celebrate the winners of the essay contest, which honors the powerful stories of farmworkers and social justice activists from Latinx and other marginalized communities. Winners presented their essays in both English and Spanish, paying tribute to Georgia’s immigrant communities and the enduring legacy of Latinx leaders across the state.
The event opened with remarks from Giovanni Sturgis, a 2025 GALEO Institute for Leadership (GIL) graduate, who set the tone for an inspiring program. This was followed by a heartfelt and motivational reflection from Georgia State Representative Marvin Lim (D-98), who also played a key role in securing the Capitol room for the event.
In the adult category, Juan Rayo, a rising junior at Trinity College in Connecticut, took first place. Juan was inspired by his mentor, Andres Parra, Deputy Director of Organizing and Training at the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition. Juan’s essay reflected the lasting impact of grassroots activism and the mentorship of leaders like Andres in shaping the next generation.
In the high school category, first place went to Betzayda Domingo Garcia, who delivered her essay in Spanish while wearing a stunning traditional Guatemalan dress. Her essay highlighted the struggles of women in the agricultural workforce and celebrated the leadership of trailblazers like Dolores Huerta, founder of United Farm Workers in 1962.
The ESOL category winner, Alexander Maldonado, honored Adelina Nicholls, founder of the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR). His essay spotlighted her continued efforts in fighting for immigrant rights and uplifting Latinx families across Georgia.
These stories and many more from our essay winners are the reason GALEO proudly continues to host the Leyendas Essay Contest each year, uplifting the voices and legacies of those fighting for justice and dignity in our communities.
The event closed with a powerful keynote by Rosario Palacios, Executive Director of Common Cause Georgia. She inspired the room with these words:
“We live in the backyard of the rich Civil Rights history formed by numerous African-American leaders before us. We are part of the legacy of the leaders spoken about at this event, and history will be on our side.”
Rosario shared her own story as the daughter of a former migrant farmworker from Guerrero, Mexico, drawing a moving connection between her family’s journey and the advocacy work of today’s youth.
If you believe in uplifting immigrant voices, celebrating our communities’ rich stories, and supporting the next generation of change-makers, consider making a donation to GALEO. Your support helps us continue to host events like the Leyendas Essay Contest and empower Latinx leaders across Georgia.
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