Articles

The Líderes de Hoy essay contest was an opportunity for young Hispanic leaders to share their perspective on what it means to be a leader in their community. Essays answered the question: As a young leader, how have you been a catalyst for positive change and contributed to inspiring your community?

Steven Parra


Steven Parra grew up in Los Angeles in an area troubled by gangs and violence. He attended Huntington Park High school, a year-round school that was surrounded by litter and graffiti. Students from his neighborhood were not generally concerned with community service, but Steven became one of the most active student leaders in his school.

During his freshman year, Steven learned about the KEY Club, an organization that helps students develop leadership skills as they serve their home, school, and community. At the time, the KEY Club was not a popular school activity. With only a few students participating, Steven realized he needed to “take the extra step and guide the club in the right direction.” First Steven became vice president and then president. Under his direction, the KEY Club became a larger and more popular club. One of its first activities was to clean up the area around the high school. During his two years as president, Steven organized a variety of events that attracted new members and kept existing members engaged. The KEY Club went from helping its local community to helping hundreds of other communities by participating in events such as the AIDS Walk Los Angeles, Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society and UNICEF.

Steven had other commitments though. He had a heavy academic schedule; he was on the cross country team and working part time to help his family. Steven felt that he had to give something up. He reluctantly decided to quit his job. Steven believed it was his responsibility to improve the KEY Club and establish programs that would continue after he graduated. He turned one-time events into annual, monthly, and weekly events. Steven expanded the work of the Club so that it was sought out by community leaders such as the Huntington Park Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA. During Steven’s presidency, the Huntington Park High School KEY Club received numerous honors and awards, such as helping at the Annual Christmas Parade and the YMCA Toy Drive.

He is currently majoring in Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. Steven plans to join Circle K, the college version of the KEY Club. He is also a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). In the future, Steven plans to become president of one of these clubs to further his leadership skills. Steven’s experience with the KEY Club taught him the skills to be a leader during high school and for the rest of his life: “I was able to become a person who inspires and motivates other students to help their community in any possible way.”


Nelson Araujo

In the eighth grade, during morning announcements, Nelson Aruajo recited the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish to his entire school, Fremont Middle School. For many of his Hispanic schoolmates, it was the first time they understood the meaning of the Pledge. Despite Nelson’s good intentions, he was attacked for his efforts. Nelson fought for the right to continue reciting the Pledge in Spanish. The issue became so controversial that the school was said to have received death threats. The local and national media closely covered the debate. Despite opposition, the Spanish Pledge of Allegiance continued for the rest of the year, “proving that even small changes can make a difference in our community.”

After a white supremacist group posted a “Stop Immigration” billboard in Las Vegas, Nelson marched with other Latinos in protest: “As I headed this march with the United States flag in my hands, I knew I was serving my people and fighting for La Causa.”

Nelson continued with his activist work in the Latino Youth Leadership Alumni, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to empower youth through community service. The alumni helped Nelson become aware of the issues affecting Latinos today.

At Rancho High School, Nelson became a member of the Hispanic Student Union, a student council vice president, and eventually school president. But this was not enough for Nelson. He decided to run for vice president of the Nevada Association of Student Councils, overseeing 23 high schools in Nevada: “I was able to stand tall as a Latino at a predominately Caucasian conference.” Nelson won the election by 50%. He now serves as a Nevada State Board officer, providing him with the “ability to empower and educate thousands of high school students.”

Nelson continues to fight injustice against Latinos in his community and for high school students in Nevada. He is applying to several universities and hopes to major in criminal justice with a minor in political science. He is currently working with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Street Teens, a center for homeless or at risk youth.


To read about all of the essay winners go to http://lideres.nclr.org/opportunities/2006_essay_contest_/2005_essay_contest_winners/