Andrea Mercado-Cruz  

Hometown: Dallas, Texas  
School: Townview School for the Talented and Gifted 

Andrea Mercado-Cruz is the daughter of Puerto Rican and Dominican parents. She is the current Chair of the Dallas Youth Commission, the Captain of her school’s Mock Trial team, and the president of her school’s Model UN club. Her dedication is strongly directed toward issues that significantly impact the Latino community, with a specific focus on matters concerning social justice and civil rights. Thanks to the NextGen program, Andrea was able to continue the development of her leadership skills and learn how to effectively implement change in her city, as well as gain a deeper understanding of her role in impacting the Latino community. She plans to use the skills and knowledge gained at the NextGen program to fulfill her goals of becoming a lawyer and community advocate for all Latinos.