About Us
"Civics is more than a school subject taught from a textbook,
it is a way of life."
Virtutem Populo isn’t just a nonprofit—it’s a movement built by students, for students.
Founded by a high school freshman in June of 2022, we are committed to empowering youth through:
Advocating
Advocating for youth representation in government, community involvement, and active civic education.
Programming
Programming a variety of events and workshops to enhance student understanding and engagement in local government and civics.
Educating
Educating students on the processes of government and the importance of being involved civically in one’s community.
3 years. Over $60,000 raised. Over 30 corporate sponsors. 3,000+ students impacted. Dozens of programs. A growing network of young leaders.
Our Leadership
Meet the dedicated team driving this mission forward:
Executive Committee:
By the students, for the students. Virtutem Populo prides itself on being 100% student-led.
Board of Directors:
While Virtutem Populo prides itself on being 100% student-led, our organization would not be possible without these outstanding individuals who have helped us every step of the way.
Rukayat Adebisi
Ms. Adebisi, a Florida State University alumnus, graduated with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the age of 22. Her goal was to attend law school. While studying for the LSAT, she applied to be a substitute teacher for Miami Dade County Public Schools. The next day, MDCPS offered her a teaching position at Lawton Chiles Middle School. Ms. Adebisi was a nervous wreck as a first-time teacher. Lawton Chiles’ principal, John Stevens, offered encouragement at that time. He said, “Think about how your favorite teacher made you feel.” Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High School hired her to build its legal studies magnet program in 2015-2016. Ms. Adebisi still teaches at HML where she emphasizes civic engagement and how students can make a difference through their voices. To her students, she shares words of wisdom, “You have a voice. Own your voice and stand proud of who you are.
Joshua Dieguez
Mayor Josh Dieguez came to Miami Lakes as an infant when his parents moved into the Lake Sarah area in 1989. He has not only chosen to continue living here but also has spent much of his adult life giving back to the community where he grew up and which he loves. Prior to his first election in 2018, he served as a member of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee (NIC) and Elderly Affairs Committee (EAC), even serving as Chairman for three years of the NIC. In that time, Mayor Dieguez was instrumental in establishing the Community Bike Ride and has been a strong advocate for beautification projects, traffic relief, and protecting our senior programs. He is a member and Director of the Miami Lakes Bar Association—an organization co-founded by his father, Anthony Dieguez, who also served as its Founding President. The Mayor has also served on the Charter Revision Commission where he successfully sponsored proposals to enhance good government practices. As Mayor, Dieguez seeks to protect and enhance the quality of life Miami Lakers have come to love and expect by focusing on financial responsibility, prioritizing traffic and infrastructure improvements, enhancing beautification, and seeking opportunities within the business community to enhance entertainment and dining options in Miami Lakes. Mayor Dieguez graduated cum laude from Florida International University with a double major in Political Science and History and graduated with his Juris Doctor degree and a Certificate in Environmental Sustainability from St. Thomas University. He practices law at his family’s law firm, which is located in Miami Lakes.