For many high school students, summer is a time for rest, part-time jobs, or family trips. For Harrisburg High School seniors Lilian Coffie and Sophia Lin, this past summer meant something more: the chance to step onto the campuses of some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, discover new possibilities, and imagine futures bigger than they once thought possible.

Lilian spent five weeks in an intensive program through Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA). The experience included three weeks at Princeton University and two weeks at Yale, where she and other students took part in leadership seminars, test preparation, and college guidance workshops. They toured libraries, attended classes led by program faculty, and sat down with admissions counselors who encouraged them to see themselves as future students at top universities.

“LEDA is all about giving students from underrepresented backgrounds a real chance to compete,” Lilian explained. “They don’t just help you get into college—they teach you how to thrive when you get there.” More than the academic support, she said, it was the friendships that surprised her most. “I talk to my cohort every single day. We became like a family. Leaving at the end was so emotional because those connections are real.”

Sophia’s summer experience came through the Young Leaders Summit (YLS), organized by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Though shorter in length—five packed days at Princeton—the program had a similar focus on leadership, mentorship, and college preparation. Over 200 students from across the nation gathered in lecture halls for workshops on building résumés, interviewing skills, and mental health awareness.

“We had mentors and squad leaders who were either in college or had just been accepted,” Sophia said. “They were people we could go to for advice, and it felt good to know someone believed in us.” The program also included a fly-in opportunity to Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), where she stayed in dorms, toured the medical school, and attended sessions on financial aid and career support. “That experience helped me realize that pre-med probably isn’t my path,” she admitted with a laugh. “But it showed me the possibilities—and now I’m excited about pursuing English and maybe journalism.”

Both students emphasized how intimidating the application process first seemed. Lilian nearly talked herself out of applying, assuming she wouldn’t be chosen. Sophia, after receiving repeated emails about the program, thought it might even be a scam before she sent in her information at the last minute. Both were shocked and thrilled when acceptance letters arrived.

“There are so many opportunities out there that students don’t realize exist,” Sophia said. “Especially in rural or low-income areas, it doesn’t even cross your mind that you could go to Princeton or Yale for a summer program. But you can. You just have to apply.”

Lilian agreed. “I didn’t think I would get in. I thought I would be rejected. But LEDA changed my life. Even if you don’t think you’re ready or don’t believe you’ll be chosen, just try. You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

The programs didn’t just expose the students to campuses—they paired them with ongoing support networks. Lilian now has a college guidance counselor and a writing coach who meet with her virtually, reviewing essays, financial aid forms, and scholarship applications. Sophia has access to a wide network of mentors from YLS who continue to answer questions and offer encouragement. Both programs gave the girls a community that stretches far beyond Harrisburg.

Their futures are already taking shape. Lilian’s college list includes a mix of universities from Illinois to the East Coast, with possible majors ranging from biochemistry to political science. Sophia has her sights set on schools such as Harvard, Princeton, and Swarthmore, with English and journalism leading her academic interests. What matters most, though, is the confidence they now carry into the application season.

These stories are more than personal triumphs—they are reminders to every student in Harrisburg Unit 3 that opportunities are waiting. Organizations like LEDA and YLS make it possible for young people to imagine themselves in new places, surrounded by new possibilities, and guided by mentors who believe in them.

“Sometimes it feels like you’re stuck,” Lilian said. “But there are resources everywhere if you just look for them.” Sophia echoed her, adding, “If even one more student applies because they heard our story, that’s a win. Because the world is so much bigger than we think it is.”