YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM
For students to be successful in our rapidly changing world, they need to be confident communicators and collaborators, who are adaptive, innovative, and empathetic, and the Young Leaders Program empowers each student at IWA to become bold, authentic servant leaders. Our program combines innovative, project-based classes with co-curricular opportunities that allow students to practice and develop a variety of leadership skills.
OUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
We think our recent graduates offer our most powerful testimonials.
Watch these short videos for a glimpse into how YLP can help you lead a bold, courageous, authentic life.
A Unique Curriculum
An Alumna's Perspective
LEADERSHIP DEPARTMENT
NEWS
![“Better, Not Bitter”: Leadership Live Presents Suzan Nguyen]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1667591182/incarnatewordorg/obnbdyrnd1ltnwm6bbg3/DSC00976.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1667591182/incarnatewordorg/obnbdyrnd1ltnwm6bbg3/DSC00976.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1667591182/incarnatewordorg/obnbdyrnd1ltnwm6bbg3/DSC00976.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1667591182/incarnatewordorg/obnbdyrnd1ltnwm6bbg3/DSC00976.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1667591182/incarnatewordorg/obnbdyrnd1ltnwm6bbg3/DSC00976.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1667591182/incarnatewordorg/obnbdyrnd1ltnwm6bbg3/DSC00976.jpg","width":2200}])
Leadership Live, a student-run speaker series that focuses on career, leadership, and life skills, kicked off their 2022-2023 season with author, TED Talk presenter, and motivational coach Suzan Nguyen.
![Four Students Named National Merit Commended Scholars]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1666809644/incarnatewordorg/mqyxqcqeo6g1jxykk42y/DSC00539.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1666809644/incarnatewordorg/mqyxqcqeo6g1jxykk42y/DSC00539.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1666809644/incarnatewordorg/mqyxqcqeo6g1jxykk42y/DSC00539.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1666809644/incarnatewordorg/mqyxqcqeo6g1jxykk42y/DSC00539.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1666809644/incarnatewordorg/mqyxqcqeo6g1jxykk42y/DSC00539.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1666809644/incarnatewordorg/mqyxqcqeo6g1jxykk42y/DSC00539.jpg","width":2200}])
Four Incarnate Word Academy seniors were recently named Commended Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Program: Marie Culbreth, Amelie Dinh, Iman Haddad, and Claire Michael.
![Seniors Look Ahead to Careers at Leadership Conference]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1665668771/incarnatewordorg/ekbj9cofuyonak5gzf7f/IMG_0684.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1665668771/incarnatewordorg/ekbj9cofuyonak5gzf7f/IMG_0684.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1665668771/incarnatewordorg/ekbj9cofuyonak5gzf7f/IMG_0684.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1665668771/incarnatewordorg/ekbj9cofuyonak5gzf7f/IMG_0684.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1665668771/incarnatewordorg/ekbj9cofuyonak5gzf7f/IMG_0684.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1665668771/incarnatewordorg/ekbj9cofuyonak5gzf7f/IMG_0684.jpg","width":2200}])
The class of 2022 navigated the Downtown Tunnels to the offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers for the annual Young Women's Leadership Conference on Wednesday, October 12th.
![Lessons From a Life in Dance]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1645811613/incarnatewordorg/ufvijtev8ftyenozttjf/2022-02-24LaurenAnderson.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1645811613/incarnatewordorg/ufvijtev8ftyenozttjf/2022-02-24LaurenAnderson.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1645811613/incarnatewordorg/ufvijtev8ftyenozttjf/2022-02-24LaurenAnderson.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1645811613/incarnatewordorg/ufvijtev8ftyenozttjf/2022-02-24LaurenAnderson.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1645811613/incarnatewordorg/ufvijtev8ftyenozttjf/2022-02-24LaurenAnderson.jpg","width":1280}])
A pathbreaking ballerina assures our students, "You are enough."
![IWA Earns Computer Science Female Diversity Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1642545409/incarnatewordorg/arotqopwqotdlqk93vdg/female-diversity-recognition.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1642545409/incarnatewordorg/arotqopwqotdlqk93vdg/female-diversity-recognition.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1642545409/incarnatewordorg/arotqopwqotdlqk93vdg/female-diversity-recognition.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1642545409/incarnatewordorg/arotqopwqotdlqk93vdg/female-diversity-recognition.jpg","width":1200}])
The College Board recognizes us for our efforts in cultivating diversity in AP Computer Science.
![Image of the Incarnate Word Academy crest with the name of the school]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1571170983/incarnatewordorg/oxom8v8lufa0jc00ypae/OfficialCrest-Updated.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1571170983/incarnatewordorg/oxom8v8lufa0jc00ypae/OfficialCrest-Updated.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1571170983/incarnatewordorg/oxom8v8lufa0jc00ypae/OfficialCrest-Updated.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1571170983/incarnatewordorg/oxom8v8lufa0jc00ypae/OfficialCrest-Updated.jpg","width":1000}])
Students named to President's and Principal's Honor Rolls
![Cultural Connections]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1634672314/incarnatewordorg/mcrlap2hfh5vvekq4zx7/SpanishIV_Dia-deldos-Muerto.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1634672314/incarnatewordorg/mcrlap2hfh5vvekq4zx7/SpanishIV_Dia-deldos-Muerto.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1634672314/incarnatewordorg/mcrlap2hfh5vvekq4zx7/SpanishIV_Dia-deldos-Muerto.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1634672314/incarnatewordorg/mcrlap2hfh5vvekq4zx7/SpanishIV_Dia-deldos-Muerto.jpg","width":1067}])
Spanish classes take advantage of our downtown location to learn more about Mexican heritage.
![Two IWA Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1631717617/incarnatewordorg/huccbvvu9c9ulons3gk7/National_Merit_Semifinalists_2021.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1631717617/incarnatewordorg/huccbvvu9c9ulons3gk7/National_Merit_Semifinalists_2021.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1631717617/incarnatewordorg/huccbvvu9c9ulons3gk7/National_Merit_Semifinalists_2021.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1631717617/incarnatewordorg/huccbvvu9c9ulons3gk7/National_Merit_Semifinalists_2021.jpg","width":1067}])
They're among 16,000 high school students nationwide to earn the honor.
![Seven IWA Students Earn National Recognition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1630615761/incarnatewordorg/hodfjmymedajujesbzli/CollegeBoardScholars_2021.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1630615761/incarnatewordorg/hodfjmymedajujesbzli/CollegeBoardScholars_2021.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1630615761/incarnatewordorg/hodfjmymedajujesbzli/CollegeBoardScholars_2021.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1630615761/incarnatewordorg/hodfjmymedajujesbzli/CollegeBoardScholars_2021.jpg","width":1067}])
These young women are College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars and College Board National African-American Program Scholars.
![IWA Enhances its College Counseling Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1629389060/incarnatewordorg/doz7ndnpq6dg9qjskac7/CollegeCounseling_NewsPage_Photo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1629389060/incarnatewordorg/doz7ndnpq6dg9qjskac7/CollegeCounseling_NewsPage_Photo.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1629389060/incarnatewordorg/doz7ndnpq6dg9qjskac7/CollegeCounseling_NewsPage_Photo.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1629389060/incarnatewordorg/doz7ndnpq6dg9qjskac7/CollegeCounseling_NewsPage_Photo.jpg","width":1067}])
College counselor Lesley Watkins has added multiple workshops and advising sessions to our already robust college counseling offerings. They're designed to help our Falcons through the gauntlet of college admissions.
![Freshmen Ace National Latin Exam]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1620305763/incarnatewordorg/dmxjkcmtdrx6m9gbd46f/DSC01953_SM.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1620305763/incarnatewordorg/dmxjkcmtdrx6m9gbd46f/DSC01953_SM.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1620305763/incarnatewordorg/dmxjkcmtdrx6m9gbd46f/DSC01953_SM.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1620305763/incarnatewordorg/dmxjkcmtdrx6m9gbd46f/DSC01953_SM.jpg","width":1200}])
Two IWA students accomplish what less than one percent of National Latin Exam takers do.
![IWA Student Presents Paper at National Conference]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1608059452/incarnatewordorg/lg4ozt6xbblisdbisp0h/Katie.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1608059452/incarnatewordorg/lg4ozt6xbblisdbisp0h/Katie.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1608059452/incarnatewordorg/lg4ozt6xbblisdbisp0h/Katie.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1608059452/incarnatewordorg/lg4ozt6xbblisdbisp0h/Katie.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1608059452/incarnatewordorg/lg4ozt6xbblisdbisp0h/Katie.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1608059452/incarnatewordorg/lg4ozt6xbblisdbisp0h/Katie.jpg","width":2200}])
Kate Sullivan '21 discussed her geosciences research at one of the country's most prestigious science events.
![Leading with Service Projects Go Virtual]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1607616832/incarnatewordorg/zgbiwwhkmzvfiidbmwou/2020-12-10Pets.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1607616832/incarnatewordorg/zgbiwwhkmzvfiidbmwou/2020-12-10Pets.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1607616832/incarnatewordorg/zgbiwwhkmzvfiidbmwou/2020-12-10Pets.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1607616832/incarnatewordorg/zgbiwwhkmzvfiidbmwou/2020-12-10Pets.jpg","width":1067}])
Two groups of IWA students launch online fundraisers to help a community organization.
![IWA Students Selected as School Buzz Correspondents]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1603889749/incarnatewordorg/i0thqqwhmermejmdmh56/2020-10-28BuzzCorrespondents.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1603889749/incarnatewordorg/i0thqqwhmermejmdmh56/2020-10-28BuzzCorrespondents.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1603889749/incarnatewordorg/i0thqqwhmermejmdmh56/2020-10-28BuzzCorrespondents.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1603889749/incarnatewordorg/i0thqqwhmermejmdmh56/2020-10-28BuzzCorrespondents.jpg","width":1067}])
See how their writing showcases a slice of high school life.
![IWA Students Launch Their Own Business]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1602866707/incarnatewordorg/hzlcezd56eaapkt0aekw/2020-10-16LANAThirft.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1602866707/incarnatewordorg/hzlcezd56eaapkt0aekw/2020-10-16LANAThirft.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1602866707/incarnatewordorg/hzlcezd56eaapkt0aekw/2020-10-16LANAThirft.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1602866707/incarnatewordorg/hzlcezd56eaapkt0aekw/2020-10-16LANAThirft.jpg","width":1067}])
Seniors AnaSofia Aragon and Lily Collora combined their love of fashion and interest in sustainability to build a brand that's chic and affordable.
![Four Students Earn National Kudos]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1602003935/incarnatewordorg/kjsbnav1rtsoavuq5yon/2020-09-03Commendedrevamp.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1602003935/incarnatewordorg/kjsbnav1rtsoavuq5yon/2020-09-03Commendedrevamp.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1602003935/incarnatewordorg/kjsbnav1rtsoavuq5yon/2020-09-03Commendedrevamp.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1602003935/incarnatewordorg/kjsbnav1rtsoavuq5yon/2020-09-03Commendedrevamp.jpg","width":1067}])
Three seniors are 2021 National Merit Scholarship Commended Stutdents.
![IWA Senior Wins Scholarship]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1586961393/incarnatewordorg/bzybkbbdnaz7vcmmozsu/Maria-Bello-scholarship-white.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1586961393/incarnatewordorg/bzybkbbdnaz7vcmmozsu/Maria-Bello-scholarship-white.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1586961393/incarnatewordorg/bzybkbbdnaz7vcmmozsu/Maria-Bello-scholarship-white.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1586961393/incarnatewordorg/bzybkbbdnaz7vcmmozsu/Maria-Bello-scholarship-white.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1586961393/incarnatewordorg/bzybkbbdnaz7vcmmozsu/Maria-Bello-scholarship-white.png","width":1271}])
Maria del Carmen Bello '20 is grateful for the award.
![Incarnate Word Academy Launches Leadership Development Coaching Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1565799947/incarnatewordorg/g1vrp1kvykxlgalqiwhx/2019-08-16YLP.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1565799947/incarnatewordorg/g1vrp1kvykxlgalqiwhx/2019-08-16YLP.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1565799947/incarnatewordorg/g1vrp1kvykxlgalqiwhx/2019-08-16YLP.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1565799947/incarnatewordorg/g1vrp1kvykxlgalqiwhx/2019-08-16YLP.jpg","width":1080}])
IWA is proud to announce that it will be one of the first high schools in the country to offer leadership development coaching to our students.
![IWA Valedictorian makes Houston proud!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1557418393/incarnatewordorg/slro8ytamrdyyrsbvjyx/Foundation-Day-29.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1557418393/incarnatewordorg/slro8ytamrdyyrsbvjyx/Foundation-Day-29.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1557418393/incarnatewordorg/slro8ytamrdyyrsbvjyx/Foundation-Day-29.jpg","width":800}])
Michela Durrette shared her inspirational story of facing brain cancer in 6th grade to graduating at the top of her high school class with the KHOU 11 news team. Click below to watch her message of faith and determination.
![University of St. Thomas Essay Contest]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1556741127/incarnatewordorg/e0twz8joatmyhctoykv0/IMG_3356.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1556741127/incarnatewordorg/e0twz8joatmyhctoykv0/IMG_3356.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1556741127/incarnatewordorg/e0twz8joatmyhctoykv0/IMG_3356.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1556741127/incarnatewordorg/e0twz8joatmyhctoykv0/IMG_3356.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1556741127/incarnatewordorg/e0twz8joatmyhctoykv0/IMG_3356.jpg","width":1224}])
This week eight Falcons were honored as finalists in the University of St. Thomas annual essay contest.