Why I'm Running

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I was born in Dorado, Puerto Rico to pastors of an evangelical church. At a very young age growing up in the rural part of town, I learned from my parents about true community service and helping those in need.

When I married my former husband, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, and father to my two daughters, I would learn to take community service to action wherever we were stationed. I was always active in local youth ministries, Hispanic Outreach, while also volunteering in different school organizations in different states as well as overseas in Japan.

By 2006, I returned to my hometown in Puerto Rico where I would serve as a Senior Pastor of a non-denominational church, and get involved in local community activism. One of the issues I worked with was helping local youth get the resources they needed to graduate high school as they were getting mis-categorized as special education students because Spanish was their second language. Other issues I worked with was as an animal rescuer, and teaching animal cruelty awareness within the community and also helping elderly with housing assistance. In 2012, I was honored by the mayor as a “Woman of Influence” for my work in the city. 

In 2014, I fell in love with beautiful Lake County and moved to Leesburg. I got my CDA license and a job as an Early Childhood teacher in Mount Dora and Eustis where I experienced firsthand the struggles of the students, parents, teachers, staff, and volunteers. I saw a lack of resources and staffing for teachers, as well lack of assistance for Hispanic and Latinos students who struggled with the language. As someone who suffers hearing loss due to Pendred Syndrome, I also personally identify with the needs of disabled children in my classrooms and church.

I also found myself back in ministry seeing the growing Latino community in Lake County and the need for bilingual services that bring the different cultures together, and not apart. In 2016, I founded the first multicultural and bilingual nondenominational church in Lake County where people from different backgrounds worship together under one roof at one time, in different languages. I have continued to grow with my projects including the investment in commercial real estate in Tavares, and now find myself in the process of publishing my first book, “Through Mary’s eyes: Principles and seasons that sustain a vision”. 

With my concern for the needs of the growing communities here in Lake County, and seeing the frustrations of parents in the schools I worked in, and also my congregation, I have had the desire to get more involved in the decision making that affects our children, and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to do so. In August of 2021, I spoke before the school board, with my accent and all, in support of Parental rights in regards to School COVID Protocols where I received resounding support from local parents for speaking up for them.

In January of this year, I survived a near fatal car accident. I am not taking my second chance at life lightly. I believe God was letting me know that I am not done yet, and have to move forward with running for the Lake County School Board, for the future of my soon to be born grandchild, and all the children of Lake County.