20 under 40: Homero Mejia

Favorite quote or saying, why?

“Be the change that you want to see in the world.” – Gandhi

Community or professional highlights:

Education is very important for the advancement of a community. A very important community highlight was made when Proposition 30 passed. Through our organization and with large community support we were able to pass Proposition 30 in 2012, which reinvested back into education.

Your life changed when:

Going to college was a life-changing decision for me. I struggled academically and lacked motivation during junior high and high school. I graduated with a 2.00 GPA from high school and did not think I was college material. But thanks to the mentoring and support of some adults in my life, I attended Modesto Junior College and continued my education at Stanislaus State University. I received a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in ethnic studies.

What do you want people to know most about you?

I am family oriented. I have 11 brothers and sisters and I enjoy spending time with family and friends. My two children are my inspiration to work toward leaving a better world and contributing to a better future. I also believe that we must invest time and effort to make sure that all children and families equally receive resources.

What do you like most about living here?

There are many things I like about living here. Stanislaus County has been my family and my home since 1989. I have lived here most of my life. Stanislaus County is a great place to raise a family. I understand why my parents brought us, because Modesto is a small town but we can feel a strong sense of community.

Why is community involvement important?

As long as I can recall, my mom and dad have been volunteers at our local church and community events. I grew up seeing my parents being involved and making their opinions count. My parents instilled in us the importance of helping others and being respectful of others in our community. I believe that if we say we love our community, we need to show it with actions and not just words. I truly believe that actions speak louder than words. If we want our children to care about our community, we must lead by example. Community involvement is how we can change any situation or issue in our communities.

This story was originally published August 21, 2016 at 5:47 AM with the headline "20 under 40: Homero Mejia."