As the graduation coach at Huguenot High School, Lyons Sanchezconcha helps to retain students with poor grades and erratic attendance, and convince dropouts to return.

“I try to help all students access college but I prioritize racially underrepresented students, first-generation graduates, and those with low socioeconomic backgrounds,” he says, adding a chuckle. “I mean, that’s me: Check, check, check.”

Sanchezconcha was born in Peru and moved to Sterling, Virginia with his parents and six brothers and sisters – including twin brother Christopher –
in 1999. “I was first in the family to get an associate degree and then a bachelor’s and now I’m getting a master’s in education this year from the University of Richmond.” He was recently accepted into a doctoral program at William & Mary and hopes to “give my family the pride of having ‘doctor’ in front of the family name.”

He came to Huguenot as a college advisor through an AmeriCorp program. He ended up loving the school, and the city, so much that he stayed and expanded his youth outreach at the Sacred Heart Center.

On top of his direct work with young people, Sanchezconcha serves on several nonprofit boards, including his role as the president of the board of the
Virginia College Access Network. He also chairs the Virginia Latino Advisory Board, and sits on the board of the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network,
and has volunteered his time to task forces and boards for the Virginia Department of Education, the City of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools, and
more. “On some of these boards, Latino representation is important,” he says. “It’s often a perspective that’s not considered at the decision making table.”

Because of his work in the community, and his friendly demeanor, the 29-year-old educator has been asked many times about seeking political office.
“It’s something I’ve considered,” he says. “Possibly down the road. But right now, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”