Monserrat Alvarez, Meredith College

Monserrat, a sophomore at Meredith College, has worked tirelessly for education and immigration reform. Monserrat founded the the youth movement of NC Heroes Emerging Amongst Teens (NC HEAT); the Grilled Cheese Bus (youth job training and community organizing initiative) and Angeles Latinas (an advocacy club serving the Meredith campus and Raleigh community). Monserrat participated extensively in the controversial Wake County Schools neighborhood student assignment issue, cited in the Raleigh News and Observer as one of ten citizens who most influenced the outcome of the vote. She also presents articulately in the community on the call for immigration reform.