On Wednesday, Sept. 20, Mission Bay High School kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with Nora Vargas, the chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and representative for District 1. Vargas is blazing trails by being the first Latina, first binational (Fronteriza), and first woman of color to serve as County Supervisor in the nearly 200-year history of the County of San Diego. She is setting a precedent for local communities by building bridges and breaking barriers.

Vargas opened her remarks by telling her powerful story to students, staff, and community members, about having tenacity, courage, and the will to want change. Although she faced many obstacles and plenty of adversity, she was determined to make a difference in her community.

Vargas gave students a glimpse into some of her priorities as the chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, such as the environment and climate change, and Youth Opportunity passes that provide transportation to youth 18 and under. She mentioned her new initiative called Young Supervisor’s Academy, a program for high school students to learn how the county works and how youth can become involved in space that can make change.

The main message was the importance of empowering youth to take up space, have their voices heard, and contribute to the solutions that will shape their future. Students asked Vargas questions on a range of concerns like how to get involved in community issues, air quality, and obstacles with communities facing disparity.

“I am the first of many, but I most definitely will not be the last, and that is because of you, the youth, you are the future,” Vargas said.