Jake Li Elected President of PASF of Texas
From Competitor to State President: Jake Li’s Journey with PASF of Texas
On March 27–28, 2026, Jake Li attended the annual convention of the Pan American Student Forum of Texas (PASF), marking another important chapter in a journey that began three years ago with a love of Spanish language and culture.
This year’s convention became especially meaningful when Jake was elected President of the Pan American Student Forum of Texas.
PASF is a statewide youth organization dedicated to strengthening students’ understanding of the Americas and the Spanish-speaking world. The organization encourages the study of Spanish as a language of communication while promoting cultural understanding, cooperation, and respect among people of different backgrounds.
For Jake, PASF has become much more than an annual competition.
Three Years of Spanish Competition
Jake first became involved with PASF three years ago through its Spanish language contests. Since then, he has competed in a range of academic categories and earned four gold medals in four different Spanish competition categories: Civilization, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading.
These achievements reflect not only strong Spanish-language skills, but also a broad understanding of the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
But Jake’s involvement gradually expanded beyond competition.
Over the years, he became increasingly engaged with the organization’s larger mission: bringing students together through language, culture, leadership, and Pan-American understanding.
Growing Through Leadership
As Jake continued participating in PASF, members of the state leadership team came to know him not only for his performance in Spanish competitions, but also for his enthusiasm for languages, willingness to serve others, and collaborative leadership style.
For Jake, leadership has never simply meant holding a title. It means listening, contributing, helping others participate, and creating an environment where people feel welcomed and valued.
Those qualities closely reflect PASF’s own emphasis on students from different backgrounds working together through language and cultural exchange.
The PASF Board of Directors serves as the organization’s governing body and includes student officers and teacher representatives who help guide the organization and its statewide activities.
Elected President of PASF of Texas
During the 2026 convention, Jake reached a major milestone when he was elected President of the Pan American Student Forum of Texas.
The role gives him the opportunity to help represent students from PASF chapters across Texas and contribute to the direction of an organization that has played an important role in his own language-learning journey.
For Jake, the position represents both an honor and a responsibility.
After beginning as a student competitor, he now has the opportunity to help other students discover the same excitement for Spanish, cultural exchange, and leadership that first drew him to PASF.
A Shared Mission with Make Spanish Casual
Jake’s work with PASF also strongly connects with the mission of Make Spanish Casual.
Both organizations recognize that language is more than vocabulary and grammar. Language creates opportunities to build relationships, understand other cultures, communicate across differences, and participate more fully in our communities.
Through Make Spanish Casual, Jake has worked to make language learning and communication more approachable and accessible. Through PASF, he has found a statewide community of students and educators who share a similar belief in the power of language to connect people.
His journey from a first-time PASF contestant to elected state president is a reminder that learning a language can lead far beyond the classroom.
It can lead to friendships, cultural understanding, service, confidence, and leadership.
We are excited to see Jake continue serving the PASF community and helping more students across Texas discover where language learning can take them.
Event: Pan American Student Forum of Texas Convention
Dates: March 27–28, 2026
Organization: Pan American Student Forum of Texas
Milestone: Jake Li elected President of PASF of Texas
PASF involvement: Three years of participation
Gold medals: Civilization, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading
