Hispanic Heritage Month Student Leaders

2024 Latino Student Honorees

The School Board is proud to recognize the 2024 Latino high school students chosen by their principals for their character, leadership and outstanding successes in school and life. The recognition will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the 7 p.m. School Board meeting.

Melanie Ordońez – H-B Woodlawn

H-B Woodlawn is honored to recognize 12th grader Melanie. Melanie is engaged in so many different aspects of the HBW program. She is a member of the Chamber Singers, our top auditioned choir. She has taken roles in many of our student-directed plays including our Cappies show last year. She is also a visual artist and athlete – playing soccer, basketball, doing mixed martial arts, and helping to coach a youth soccer team. She balances a challenging academic course load at the same time! She appreciates diversity within Latino culture and loves building community at school and in all aspects of her life in Arlington.

Sofía Guiton-Moreno – Arlington Career Center

Sofía, a senior at the Arlington Career Center/Arlington Tech Program, is a driven individual with a strong commitment to leadership and community. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Sofía has embraced numerous roles during her high school years, including participation in the JROTC program, Latinas Leading Tomorrow, basketball, and the senior committee. For Sofía, leadership is not just a role but a vital aspect of her identity and values, deeply connected to her experiences as a Latina. Looking ahead, Sofía is passionate about pursuing higher education in animal science with aspirations of earning a doctorate and becoming a veterinarian. Her dedication to leadership and her career goals reflects her commitment to making a meaningful impact in both her community and the field of animal science. She wants to be a Latina leader who embraces her cultural heritage while using her unique perspective to drive positive change. It’s about inspiring others through resilience, integrity, commitment and breaking down barriers. She aspires to be a role model who fosters inclusivity, and show that with determination and support, we can achieve our dreams and uplift our community.

Laila Flores – Yorktown High School

Laila Flores is a senior at Yorktown High School.  Laila was selected to be honored during Hispanic Heritage Month for her involvement in the school community and her contribution to YHS school spirit. She has been an active member of Latinas Leading Tomorrow for several years and, this year, joins the club’s leadership team as its Communications Manager.  Laila is very personable and empathetic and has a natural ability to lead. As a testament to her impact in the school community, a YHS staff member commented that Laila “adds sunshine to anyone’s day.”

Liz Guevara – Eunice Kennedy Shriver Program

Liz has been enrolled at the Shriver Program for nine years. Liz is a lively and enthusiastic student leader at Shriver, known for her fun-loving personality and strong connections with others. Her cheerful greetings and high-fives bring energy and joy to the school, motivating her peers to embrace the positive atmosphere. Liz’s passion for learning shines as she balances her outgoing nature with a deep commitment to her education. This blend of social and academic enthusiasm makes her an excellent role model, and her influence contributes significantly to the vibrant school environment at Shriver.

 José Calderas Muńoz – Langston High School Continuation

José is a model student at Langston High School and serves as a role model to other students. He displays incredible resiliency despite tough circumstances. He is a great example of the success of non-traditional high school students.

Walter Rosa Platero – Washington-Liberty High School 

Walter’s humility, kindness, and passion for positive change are what truly set him apart as a leader and role model. Despite his many achievements ( going from very little English to achieving native-like proficiency in English within two years!!) Walter never seeks recognition for his efforts. He leads with a quiet confidence, always focusing on the impact of his work rather than personal accolades. This humility makes him approachable to peers, who admire him not just for his accomplishments, but for his genuine character and willingness to help others without expecting anything in return.

Melanie Encinas Mendoza – Wakefield High School

Melanie, a senior at Wakefield High School, has excelled academically, maintaining a 4.03 GPA. She actively contributes to her school community, serving on the executive board of the Latinas Leading Tomorrow chapter and participating in the marching band, United Minority Girls, DECA, and Future Business Leaders of America. Beyond the classroom, Melanie volunteers at Aspire Afterschool Learning Program, where she promotes literacy among elementary students. Additionally, she serves as a College Board Big Future Ambassador and interned at TurnUp where she collaborated with leaders on social justice issues, activism and voter registration for upcoming elections. Her hard work and dedication have earned her several accolades, including 2nd Place in DECA Regionals for Marketing Communications and a National Scholastic Art and Writing Silver Medal (2023). An aspiring astronomer and astrophysicist, Melanie is the founder of AstroLogic, a TikTok channel that uses art and animation to teach complex science concepts to a broad audience.

Edilso Lopez – Arlington Community High School

What is most impressive about Edilso is his ability to inspire and encourage his peers. Edilso’s leadership and positive influence have helped create a classroom culture where students are motivated to challenge themselves and support each other in their learning. Edilso is committed to his education, and his determination is evident in his daily attendance at school while balancing his time with a full-time job. His work ethic is admirable, and he consistently demonstrates responsibility, kindness, and a willingness to help others. His dedication and actions reveal his character. One of his best qualities is his drive to improve his English skills. He regularly pushes himself to use higher-level vocabulary and more complex sentence structures in his writing and speaking. Edilso approaches language learning with courage, always willing to take risks in order to grow.

More Student Leader photos and bios will be added as they become available