ELISA ROMERO LOPEZ is an example of the influential, forward-thinking young Latina who will someday effect large scale positive change in the realms of cultural fairness, historical accuracy, and community volunteerism. Elisa is a volunteer mentor and literacy coach at the Girls’ Club of East Palo Alto, helping young girls mature into responsible students. She raises money and helps with local home improvement projects with Habitat for Humanity/Rebuilding Together. She has also been active with multicultural organizations on campus devoted to community service unified, educated cultural celebration. Elisa committed to College Track, a program designed to help motivated socioeconomically disadvantaged students attend a four-year university. She was named Young Leader of Today by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and most recently received the 2003 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Service Award for Outstanding Community Service (over 4,000 hours logged while in high school). As a result of Elisa’s encouragement, students and staff examined the real meaning of celebrating Columbus Day (now called Rediscovering History Day), providing a more complete view of history. She also inspired Menlo School to add a new course focused on Latino studies. These efforts have allowed cultural awareness and sensitivity to flourish and made Menlo School a more inviting place for minority enrollees. Elisa believes “effort equals results.”
