South Texas Ideas Festival (STXi)

Project Theme: Education and Civic Engagement 

Years in Existence: 10

Target Audience and Location: Students and families in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in South Texas. Hosted by students from the Idea Quest College Preparatory School in Edinburg, Texas. 

Mission: To create a platform by and for young adults to engage them in an actionable dialogue about culture, community, and identity.

Project Description: Founding Scholar Michael Mireles and educator Marcos Silva created STXi to celebrate their culture and identity through an annual festival that brings together community leaders and speakers from the Rio Grande Valley. As STXi hits their 10-year milestone, they are growing their impact by bringing together 8–10 schools, including representation from multiple cities and districts, to create a space where students can celebrate their cultural identities and engage in meaningful conversations. By continuing partnerships with returning schools, sponsors, and community organizations, they are strengthening opportunities for youth networking and access to resources.