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Young Latino: ‘If one door closes, another one opens’

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Name: Luis Mora

Award category: Young Latino

Position: Student at Southwestern College

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Age: 19

Residence: Chula Vista

Luis Mora used to think he wanted to be a lawyer. Now he intends to become a diplomat.

Mora is studying political science at Southwestern College with hopes of transferring to University of California Berkeley next year.

“I decided I can make an impact within my community that has a bigger perspective, rather than just being within San Diego or within California,” Mora said.

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He said his ultimate goal is to be successful, but he thinks of that in different terms from most.

“It’s not about money,” he said. “It’s not about fame. It’s not about happiness. It’s about helping as many people as I can.”

Laura Villota, who nominated Mora, said in Spanish that, from a young age, Mora has known that he wanted to be an ambassador for those without voice, those who fight day after day for their rights.

“He is a born leader with charisma who seeks the hand of others to form a large circle of solidarity and organization of mutual collaboration on the same level without belittling anyone,” Villota said. “For me, Luis is a champion.”

Mora said that as a non-native English speaker, he’s had a lot to overcome.

“People say, ‘Oh you’re not going to go there. You’re not going to go to Harvard because you’re Latino,’” Mora said. “Other people say, ‘Oh you’re never going to be a politician because you have an accent, and people won’t be able to understand you.’ I’ve been hearing that over the years, and I’ve still made a huge impact.”

He doesn’t think of those challenges as hindering him.

“If one door closes, another one opens,” he said. “All those struggles I’ve been through have made me a stronger person.”

Mora now tutors both English-learners and native English speakers who struggle with writing. He’s also an officer in an honor society on his campus that’s raising awareness about the needs of refugees in the San Diego community.

“I like to show that you can make an impact in your community no matter who you are,” Mora said. “What inspires me is seeing how little things can make a big change.”

Mora volunteers frequently at his church as well. He said an interaction he had while he was in high school with a young boy at a fundraiser solidified his commitment to helping people.

Mora was selling shirts that he had purchased while on a trip in Miami. The boy came up to him and asked how much the shirts were.

“I said it was going to be free for him,” Mora recalled. “I saw the smile on his face. That was the moment that for me was the most impactful.”

kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate

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