Ruby Aguirre: Mary Mercado made difference for me

Every so often, people like Mary Mercado come along and want to make a difference in the community. Mercado worked for Merced High School in the attendance office for 20 years. She cares about the youth and their education. As part of her job, she was to call homes of students who were absent to make sure they were OK. I met Mary when I was 12 and since then she has been my mentor. I never cared for school; I just went because it was mandatory. My junior year in high school, I wanted to drop out and I remember talking to Mary about my decision. She strongly suggested I shouldn’t, pointing out that I was almost done with high school. Mary gave me the encouragement I was lacking from my family. Thanks to her, I am the first in my family to attend college, and I’m getting ready to graduate and transfer from Merced College with two associate degrees and pursue my career elsewhere. If not for Mary, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Mary Mercado is the best candidate for a spot on the high school board; she has nothing but good intentions.

This story was originally published October 28, 2014 at 6:42 PM with the headline "Ruby Aguirre: Mary Mercado made difference for me."