MEL FRASQUERI SANTIAGO

 Mel, a military child who grew up in Puerto Rico, founded this organization inspired by the journey of her two first-generation Puerto Rican military children. With a background in communications and education, she previously served as Organizational Point of Contact for the 209th ASB 25th CAB 25th ID and as Bravo 209th ASB Family Readiness Group Leader at Wheeler Army Airfield in O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. She became an active member of the HCPS Parent Advisory, Advocacy, and Action Council (2021–2024), testified before the Maryland State House and Senate in 2022 on Purple Star School legislation, and co-founded Harford County Public Schools’ first military-connected student club at Havre de Grace Elementary. Over the past three years, she has created opportunities for small military-owned and Hispanic-owned businesses in Harford County. She currently serves as Marketing & Social Media Specialist for the Harford County NAACP Chapter 7019-B, leads a community group for Hispanic families in Harford and Cecil Counties, and manages a social media network for military spouses at Aberdeen Proving Ground. 

 Alexmi E. Lugo Reverol, born and raised in Puerto Rico, served over 24 years as a U.S. Army officer and aviator, earning multiple leadership and operational roles, including foreign military advisor, commander of units in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and instructor of strategic studies at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. He holds a B.S. in Physical Science with a minor in Secondary Education and an M.S. in Supply Chain Operations Management. Retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, he currently works as a defense contractor supporting military aerospace systems and is a life member of the Army Aviation Association and VFW. 

 Amadelis Mattei, born and raised in Puerto Rico, is the Parent Involvement Teacher Specialist for Harford County Public Schools, focusing on engaging Spanish-speaking guardians in their students’ education. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and a master’s in Leadership and Education in Spanish. Previously, Amadelis taught Spanish from kindergarten to college across Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland. She is also active with Esposas Militares Hispanas USA, supporting Spanish-speaking military spouses and helping expand its programs, including monitoring online English courses. 

 Luz V. López, born in El Salvador, emigrated to the U.S. at age 10 during the Salvadoran Civil War and grew up as an English Language Learner in New York. A Kenyon College graduate and co-founder of its first Latine student group, she earned her J.D. from The Ohio State University in 1995. Luz served as an Assistant State Public Defender before joining the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, where for nearly 20 years she advanced voting rights, language access, and anti-discrimination cases. Since 2019, she has served as a Senior Supervising Attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center. 

 Vicki Jones, a military brat who moved to Harford County in 1987, holds a B.A. in Journalism/Political Science from Howard University and an M.P.A. from New York University. With 25 years of leadership in community and workforce development, she has managed major projects for national and local organizations and taught at the City University of New York. Vicki currently serves as President of the Harford County NAACP and as an Executive Officer on the state NAACP team. She also manages volunteers and community engagement strategy for AARP’s Driver Safety Program and leads Grow Your Own educator initiatives with Harford County Public Schools. 

 Jessica Fendryk is a dedicated community volunteer with a background at the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, where she served for 12 years supporting local businesses. During this time, she also became a certified SARC volunteer. After a break to focus on family and health, Jessica returned to community service, inspired by the social justice movement in 2020. She became active with the Harford County League of Women Voters and the Harford County NAACP Branch, where she now serves as Treasurer for both organizations. Passionate about equity, advocacy, and civic engagement, Jessica continues to champion community initiatives that reflect her commitment to justice and service. 

 Lynnette is a seasoned SaaS Implementations Consultant with over 11 years of experience optimizing workflows and delivering enterprise solutions across audit, finance, hospitality, and database management systems. Skilled in requirements gathering, data analysis, and end-user training, she has led successful implementations across diverse industries. Beyond her professional expertise, Lynnette has held key leadership roles in the nonprofit sector, including Treasurer, President, and Vice President of the Deerfield Elementary PTA, where she advanced initiatives that strengthened the school community.  

Alexandra, originally from Colombia, holds a degree in Corporate Communications but discovered her true calling in early childhood education. As a passionate preschool teacher, she finds joy in helping young children learn, grow, and explore the world. A devoted school volunteer and parent, Marly believes that strong communities begin with empowered children and engaged families. As an immigrant, she is deeply committed to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. She believes diversity is not just something to celebrate, it’s essential to building empathy, understanding, and a brighter future for all. 

 Dr. Aitza Haddad, born in Puerto Rico, is an interdisciplinary educator, legal scholar, and human rights advocate dedicated to advancing equity through education, law, and policy. She holds a BA in Political Science, a JD, an LLM in Comparative Law, and a PhD in Communication, Culture, and Media Studies, and is pursuing a PhD in International Psychology. A professor since 2013, she focuses on multilingual learner success and inclusive pedagogy. She has served on state commissions, directed Governor’s Commissions on Hispanic and Caribbean Affairs, and is the Founder of Friendly Law, a nonprofit promoting culturally responsive legal education and advocacy. 

Ron Wooden, a Philadelphia native, holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Lincoln University and an M.A. in Leadership in Teaching from the University of Notre Dame of Maryland, earning Admin I and II certifications. He began his career in Harford County Public Schools as a fifth-grade teacher, later serving as Assistant Principal and Principal at multiple schools, including Havre de Grace Elementary and Old Post Road Elementary. A keynote speaker, adjunct professor, curriculum writer, and mentor, Ron has been honored as Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (twice), Harford County Teacher of the Year (2008), National Assistant Principal of the Year (2013), and the first HCPS Principal of the Year (2024).