Gilbert A. Romero. Photo by BB Rivas / El Concilio Family Services.
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2012 Latino Leadership awards — “Excellence in Education.” The awards gala was held on June 1, 2012 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here or call 805-486-9777 for more information.
Amigos805 staff reports
Gilbert A. Romero, who attended Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, was honored as prosecutor of the year in 2001 and has volunteered at the Upward Bound Program at California Lutheran University, among other programs.
“Gilbert Romero was raised in Oxnard where he grew up facing considerable challenges as a child of parents with significant substance abuse problems,” according to one nomination. “Despite the many hardships that such an environment created for Gilbert, he managed to excel throughout his life as a serious student who took full advantage of the opportunities provided to him by our educational system. … Over the years, Gilbert has served [selflessly] as a volunteer, on various committees and organizations dedicated to promoting education as the key to success for at-risk youth.”
Another nomination letter reported: “I am familliar with the many hardships that Gilbert had to overcome to success as a person in this society. His story is truly remarkable. Through no fault of his own, he was literally raised in a highly illicit, dangerous environment and despite the immense odds, he succeeded in life where most people would have given up. Gilber has obviously always had an in-born dive to lead himself to a better life and that speaks of his character, sense of self-world and ethical value system.”
“My childhood was difficult, but I was blessed with the marvelous gift of vision — an ability to see beyond my everyday experiences,” Romero wrote to the El Concilio selection committee. “I realized that my circumstances were temporary, and that when I reached adulthood I would control the direction of my life. It was that realization which ignited my drive and ambition … I was the first person in my family to attend college … In law school, I gravitated toward criminal law, probably because it was all around me while growing up … Coming back to Ventura County provided me with an opportunity to be closer to my family and to focus my volunteer activities in the community in which I was raised. My passion lies in working with and trying to motivate our youth, particularly those with backgrounds similar to mine.”
Romero has coached high school mock trial teams for the annual countywide competition and has volunteered with programs that work with youth incarcerated in the local juvenile detention facility, for Boys and Girls clubs and the Oxnard Police Activities League.