NEW LONDON, Conn. — Cadet Kayla Villegas Sanchez was recognized at the 2024 National LATINA Symposium for her outstanding contributions as a leader and advocate for cultural diversity at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The symposium, the nation’s largest gathering of Latina military leaders, highlighted Sanchez for her trailblazing work as President of the Compañeros Cadet Affinity Council at the Academy.
Sanchez, a Mechanical Engineering major from Santa Clarita, California has been a driving force in advancing cultural fluency among cadets. Joining Compañeros as a freshman, she initiated meaningful discussions and organized events to promote a deeper understanding of Latina heritage and broader cultural diversity within the Corps of Cadets.
One of her notable achievements was spearheading the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) initiative, which helped facilitate dual-language qualifications for senior cadets, better preparing them for the fleet and global service.
The National LATINA Symposium, held annually in Washington, D.C., honors Latina military personnel who are dedicated to improving their service and advancing military culture. This year’s event emphasized the importance of leadership and advocacy, with Sanchez standing out as a prominent example of how young leaders can shape the future of their communities and the military.
Her recognition at the symposium underscores her commitment to both the Coast Guard and the advancement of Latina service members. Through her leadership and vision, Sanchez is paving the way for a more inclusive and culturally aware Coast Guard.
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