Fatima Mendez. Photo by Edgar Oliveira
The daughter of immigrants who moved from Mexico for a better life, Fatima’s parents worked hard – for awhile at places such as the Taco Bell -- with the goal of providing their children with a quality education. In turn, she has seized the resulting opportunities through her indefatigable work in student government.
For a time the family lived in a house with so many relatives each family had to share a bedroom. Now, they have found their footing in Oxnard, where they own a house. But the family fell in love with the schools in Goleta, and Fatima’s parents decided to do whatever it took to keep their children attending school locally.
It started by letting her have the car.
Every morning at 6:30 a.m. -- often before the sun rises -- Fatima begins her hourlong commute to school with her father, who works as a tool maker at an engineering firm in Goleta. She drops him off at work and drives to school. After school she stays on campus for a couple hours until his shift is over, and then they make the hourlong commute back home.
Apparently, the mindfulness of her parents has paid off. Ever since elementary school, Fatima has been an enthusiastic member of student life. After picking up her diploma on June 14, she will begin a new chapter at Loyola Marymount in the Los Angeles area.
Fatima ran for student-body president for the first time when she was in fourth grade, and hasn’t looked back. She lost that race to her best friend, but the experience only strengthened her desire to get involved in school.
Fatima (right) and another member of student government announce the names of students who will be part of the government next year. Photo by Edgar Oliveira
In her graduation speech next week, Fatima plans to let the class know how grateful she is.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to thank them for letting me be their class president all these years,” she said. “I think they checked the box next to my name because they knew they could count on me to do the work – that I am passionate about the work.”
At Loyola, Fatima said she plans to major in sociology, with a double minor in business and Spanish.
“I’m really passionate about social justice,” she said. “From race to classism to sexism, to different types of religions.”
Michelle Hughes, an assistant principal at Dos Pueblos, said Fatima reaches out to everyone on campus.
“The minority kids, the smart kids, the cheerleaders – she’s everyone’s friend,” she said. “She could run the school, and she could do it politely and with grace.”
Fatima said she is inspired by the fortitude of her parents, who in past years had struggled to make ends meet. For instance, her mother was unable to work for years after she slipped while working at Taco Bell and dislocated her spinal cord.
But despite needing a cane for years, Fatima’s mother helped open a produce store with other members of her family in Oxnard. Over the years it has grown.
Fatima Mendez has been the elected leader of her class since seventh grade. Photo by Edgar Oliveira
“They taught us the fundamental, correct morals: everyone’s the same – no one’s better than you, and you aren’t better than anyone else,” Fatima said. “And they made us say our pleases and thank yous.”
Will she continue her political exploits in college?
"A lot of people say I should go into politics," she said. "As of now it is not my main focus. But maybe in the future."