Meet Our Latino Leaders
Throughout the month, we'll hear from incredible Latino leaders in PGCPS and the community as they share how their heritage has shaped their purpose, leadership, and impact. Stay tuned to PGCPS social media and website!
Karen MirandaSLP and BAT Point of Contact
Heritage, Purpose, & Collective ImpactBorn in El Salvador, I felt an immediate sense of purpose working in Prince George's County Public Schools where the majority of our Latino students share my homeland. Yet, beyond our specific roots, all people from Latin America share powerful cultural commonalities. One of my lived experiences that I share with many of our students today and has shaped how I serve is what many of our students face every day: being left with grandparents in my native country while parents sacrificed abroad, and arriving in a new country where I had to navigate a new language, culture, and academic system. Not to mention that as a very young child, I had to manage the deep emotional weight of reuniting with and getting to know my own parents again. These shared experiences along with my training as a speech-language pathologist directly shape how I lead—not just for those who share my background, but for anyone who needs advocacy. By vulnerably sharing my journey, I offer a profound sense of empathy for what our families face daily. Simultaneously, I bridge the gap for my colleagues, providing them with a deeper understanding of the Latino families they serve. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing the visible hope in parents' eyes when they realize I share their roots. I am living proof to them that despite humble beginnings, their children have the potential to become successful, too. By embracing our diverse individual nationalities and unique walks of life but also finding commonality in all of that, we truly embody the spirit of UNIDOS, SOMOS MÁS. |
Dr. Evylyn QuinonesPrincipal
United in Action & ImpactIn 2005, I moved to the United States with my husband and our four amazing children in search of a brighter future for our family. We left behind our relatives, familiar culture, and everything we knew. We did not speak the language, and even the cold weather was a new experience for us. The journey was not easy, but it taught us that when we learn, persevere, and support one another, we can overcome challenges and create new possibilities. |
Dr. Leroy AliceaPrincipal
Heritage, Purpose, & Collective ImpactMy Puerto Rican heritage, rooted in strong family values and cultural resilience, has instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to uplift others and lead through service. Growing up surrounded by traditions centered on community and mutual support shaped my core belief that true leadership is about lifting as we climb. This lived experience naturally aligns with the spirit of UNIDOS, SOMOS MÁS, driving me to bridge gaps, build inclusive spaces, and foster unity across my school and community to accomplish more together than we ever could alone. |
Gloria Aparicio BlackwellDirector - Local Government Relations
Heritage, Purpose, & Collective ImpactFor nearly 40 years of living in the United States, I have come to appreciate more deeply my heritage, my culture, my language, my community, and, most importantly, the moral compass my parents instilled in me.When I first arrived in this country, there were not as many people like today who looked like me, sounded like me, or shared my background—in college, at work, or in the community. At first, that difference was difficult. But over time, it became one of my greatest strengths. Being one of the few gave me an opportunity, and perhaps even a responsibility, to understand my own culture more deeply and to bring a perspective to conversations that was not always present or considered. I wanted to be myself, while also helping others understand that the Latino community is not one-dimensional. We come from different countries, experiences, traditions, histories, and perspectives. No single label can fully define who we are. My accent was once something that made me self-conscious. As a young adult learning English, I worried about sounding different or being laughed at because I did not pronounce something correctly. English was not easy for me, so I studied hard and persevered. Eventually, I realized something important: my accent was not something I needed to hide. It told part of my story. "What's Up" I thought people were asking me to look up. Being bilingual allowed me to communicate with a larger community and to build bridges between people who might otherwise never understand one another. What once made me feel different became something powerful. That difference opened doors for me as a college student, as a professional, and as a member and leader of my community. I am deeply grateful to the people who saw something in me, supported me, encouraged me, and gave me opportunities along the way. And that is why giving back has always been so important to me. To have the opportunity to give back to the college that first helped me learn English and continue the education I had begun in Venezuela was priceless. And to spend almost 30 years at an institution where my education, passion, heritage, relationships, and sense of purpose could flourish has been an extraordinary gift. Community, to me, has never simply meant where we live or where we work. Community is about belonging. It is about seeing one another, listening to one another, opening doors, creating connections, and making sure that someone coming behind us has opportunities that perhaps did not exist when we arrived. As I prepare for a new chapter, I do so with that same sense of intentionality. I am not simply looking for what comes next. I am open to opportunities to continue doing good—to connect people, strengthen communities, and contribute wherever there is a genuine desire to create a better life for everyone who calls that community home. And to the next generation of future leaders, I offer something I have learned through my own journey: Be kind. Be mindful. Give back. Stay curious. Build friendships with people of every age and background. And when you feel uncertain or unfulfilled, seek advice. Listen to people whose life experiences are different from yours. There is so much wisdom around us if we are willing to hear it. Most importantly: Nunca se olviden de dónde vienen, de dónde viene su familia, de su cultura, de su idioma y de quiénes son. Never forget where you come from, where your family comes from, your culture, your language, and who you are. Titles, positions, and accomplishments eventually become part of our history. What remains is who we were, how we treated people, the relationships we built, and what we gave to others. That is the legacy I hope to carry with me into my next chapter. Gracias a todos los que me han acompañado, apoyado y animado durante este camino. Me llevo conmigo cada amistad, cada experiencia y cada lección. And I will always carry with me where I came from. |
Dr. Marleny PerdomoWorld Languages Supervisor
United in Purpose, Stronger TogetherI hope that my work will help future generations realize their full potential through maintaining their connection to their home language and culture. I truly believe that being bilingual is a tremendous asset and that Latinos in the United States make our country richer, more diverse, and stronger. Here I have seen borders disappear. Never did I imagine that I would get to meet people from all South American nations in one place, that only happens here in the US and it is uniquely beautiful. We Latinos have so much in common, and it begins with our language. Maintaining Spanish is something we should all strive for so we never lose our connections to our roots, to where we come from, and especially, to our rich culture. |
Betsy RamirezEducation Liaison
Heritage, Purpose, & Collective ImpactMy Salvadoran heritage taught me that we are strongest when we lift one another. Growing up, I watched my parents work hard, sacrifice for our family, and help others even when they were facing challenges of their own. Through their example, I learned that education can transform lives, that success means more when it opens doors for others, and that no one should have to struggle alone. Their strength made me proud of who I am and where I came from. It always inspired me to encourage young people in my community to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. As a proud graduate of High Point High School and a lifelong member of Prince George's County, I feel a deep connection to the families I serve. In my role as Education Liaison for the Office of the County Executive, I help families feel heard, connect them with support, and advocate for every child to receive the best education possible. This work is personal to me, it is how I honor my parents, give back to the community that raised me, and open doors for the next generation. To me, UNIDOS, SOMOS MÁS is more than a phrase, it's the promise I carry forward to lift others, open doors, and help build a community where every child knows they belong and has the opportunity to thrive. |
Dr. Sandy MasonRecruitment Advisor- Latinx Support
United in Purpose, Stronger TogetherAs a life long learner it is important to me to create tools to empower future generations. I recently served as a contributing author to the book, Photovoice: Using Words and Images in Qualitative Research published in 2025, which focused on the impact of support on college and career readiness for Latinx students within an urban school environment. Through my work, I hope to shine a light on the brilliance of our community, bring more Latinx employees to the district, directly support Latinx presence and excellence in PGCPS, and to raise awareness around high priority needs that ensure equity. I hope that school and district leaders can maximize ways to cutomize support to ensure that the more than 40% of Latinx students of PGCPS feel valued and seen. |
Toni MejiasMaryland State Education Association (MSEA)
Heritage, Purpose, & Collective ImpactMy Puerto Rican heritage has deeply shaped my sense of purpose and the way I lead and serve. I grew up understanding that community means sharing what you have, helping when you can, and making sure others do not have to navigate challenges alone. |
Joseline Peña-MelnykSpeaker of the Maryland House of Delegates
Heritage, Purpose, & Collective ImpactHispanic Heritage Month is personal for me. It is a celebration of the people, traditions, sacrifices and stories that shaped who I am — and a reminder to every young person that their heritage is a source of strength and that they belong in every room where our future is being shaped. When we come together to celebrate the richness of our cultures and learn one another's stories, we strengthen the bonds that make us a community. I am proud to celebrate where we come from, who we are, and all that the next generation will become. |
