Mayor stresses role modeling
by Roxanna Latifi, Reporter

  Latinos need strong role models, a local mayor told NE students recently.

  Mayor Oscar Trevino Jr. of North Richland Hills spoke to the Organization of Latin and American Students about Latino issues in the community and encouraged members to be role models for young Latinos.

   "Fifty-six percent of eighth graders will not graduate from high school," he said. "We're all so busy in our own lives that we are not representing ourselves as role models for the up and coming generation."

   Trevino believes the lack of role models in the Latino community is a factor for many Latino students' dropping out. He also said other factors such as cultural and financial barriers cause students to leave school. Trevino said cultural differences can pose a huge conflict among Latinos, which include Cubans, Spaniards, Mexicans, Colombians and numerous other cultures.

  As each race and generation interacts with each other, conflicts arise, Trevino said.

  "We have all grown up different; some of us speak a different lingo than other Latinos. That is what makes it so hard to find a Latino leader," he said.

  Trevino believes that society should not put a single label on Latinos since combining different cultural backgrounds cannot be defined with one entity.

  Trevino told students playing the race card is not the route to take to get what they want as a minority. He advised them to be confident and proud of their ethnicity to accomplish their goals in life.

  "You don't have to play the race card ... it's like a crutch. Be who you are, and don't let yourself be held back," he said.

  The North Richland Hills mayor also discussed the ethics of debate.

  Trevino said debate is the act of two people taking opposing viewpoints and should not be viewed as two people opposing each other.

  "No one accomplishes anything when you argue. We live in a democratic society that gives us a chance to debate the issues. Keep personality out of it and focus on the issue," he said.

  The mayor stressed the importance of education. Trevino reminded his audience that although views are changing, the typical Latino family concentrates more on helping the family rather than on the individual and obtaining an education.

  "We need to teach the importance of education because the future of any group is education," he said.

  Trevino was elected mayor in June 2002. He has served on the city council since 1999. Trevino earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Texas A&M University in 1978.

  President and part owner of J. L. Steel, L.P., he was recently appointed to the Public Transportation Advisory Board by Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff and elected to the executive board of the North Central Texas Council of Government.

  Trevino is a board member of the BISD Foundation of Educational Excellence and a member of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.