Michelle Romero was born in 1990 in the town of East Boston. Michelle’s parents Marilyn and Michael Romero emigrated from the Dominican Republic so they may provide a better life for themselves and their children. Michelle is the youngest of four siblings, Irving, Josmary and her twin sister Marlene.
Michelle began her education in the Head Start program and later moved on to the McKay School where she stayed until fifth grade. Like her older siblings before her, Michelle enrolled in the Umana-Barnes middle school which helped her acquire the skills she would need for her next step, Boston Latin School.
In her three year tenure at Boston Latin School, the institution has prepared her for higher education as well as life. Michelle understands that the competitive atmosphere of Boston Latin is what motivates her to do better. Latin has allowed Michelle to push herself and try new things. While at Boston Latin, Michelle has won awards for both National Latin and French exams and has participated in Show Choir in 2006 and Fashion/Talent Club since 2004. Michelle can also be found helping her friends with their Spanish homework due to her Hispanic descent. Next year, Michelle will be volunteering in the Assistant Headmaster’s office.
Michelle plans to major in education in college and minor in either Spanish, French or possibly even Theology. She feels that this is the best way to give back to her community. In the past, Michelle has taken job opportunities that relate to some type of teaching or instruction. Her first summer job, through ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development), was at Little Folks Daycare center where she was a teacher’s assistant. While there, she helped children develop better motor, language, social and listening skills. The following summer, Michelle worked at the APAC (Area Planning Action Council) which is the East Boston branch of the ABCD. As the Education and Life Skills Coordinator of Summer Youth Employment Program, Michelle was able to over see all aspects of the APAC Accessing Resources Initiative: designing, scheduling, and facilitating financial workshops for participants ages fourteen to twenty one. She was also, among other things, able to create Education and Life Skill brochures (College Access, Money Management, and Job Readiness). Her supervisors at APAC encouraged Michelle to continue making strides to help others and advised her to apply for a Peer Educator Job. During the school year, Michelle works for Casa Myrna Vazquez as a Teen Dating Violence Peer Educator Mentor. She conducts educational workshops on the prevention of teen dating violence to youth through out Boston. Michelle has a hunger for learning and enjoys passing on her knowledge to others. She has been inspired by many teachers who do not only teach students the material, but who do it passionately. She believes teachers don’t only teach students but guide them through the learning experience and sometimes through life.
After being confirmed at her church, The Most Holy Redeemer, she discovered her vocation was one of service and ever since she has become more involved in her church community. After confirmation, she joined a youth group whose focus is on the service to the church, as well as the community and education on Catholicism. She is now a youth leader of that group. She also began taking courses to become a Catechist and received her certification from the Archdioceses of Boston upon her completion of the courses. With that certification, she began to teach First Communion classes during the school year and has been a lector in mass since the beginning of the year. She considers herself to be lucky enough to have two families, one at home and the other within her parish.
Next year, will be Michelle’s last year at Latin and, needless to say, she can’t wait. She is enthusiastic about the interesting courses offered to Latin School upperclassmen and to be taking many exciting courses such as Facing History and Music Theory. Michelle has also added some challenging classes like French Honors and Spanish AP to her course load.
During this summer Michelle is involved in a number of different activities, a Calculus course at Northeastern University during the week, teaching First Communion on Saturdays, and both serving as a lector in mass and leading her church’s youth group on Sundays. She is also part of a summer vocal group in her community.
Michelle is sponsored by Mayor Menino and will be working in his office this summer.