By Alex Paul
Chronicle staff

     Elizabeth Hernandez had to be held back a year in elementary school when her family arrived in Okanogan County from Guerro, Mexico.
     She was 6 years old and couldn't speak English.
     Things have changed in the last 14 years. Today the vibrant 20-year-old is the first Latina student government president at Wenatchee Valley College at Omak.
     Hernandez grew up in the Bridgeport area and has six brothers and sisters. One brother, Elder Hernandez, 19, also is a student at WVC-Omak. She graduated from Bridgeport High School in 2007.
     The two are best friends and almost inseparable.
     "I love him to death," Hernandez said of her brother. "He wants to become a teacher and coach. I want to get a major in Spanish and a minor in English."
     She said she plans to transfer to Central Washington University after graduation from Wenatchee Valley College.
     Hernandez is the first member of her family to attend college. She admits that it times, it was a struggle to keep reaching toward her goal.
     "My mom expected me to get out of high school and get married," Hernandez said. "I've always been more independent and I went for it (college)."
     Her parents divorced when Hernandez was young. She was reared by her mother, Vitalina Osorio and aided by her grandparents, Rita and Heron Osorio.
     Hernandez admits there have been many challenges along the way.
     "It was hard not knowing the English language," Hernandez said. "It took me about five months to learn the language. I was scared. I felt isolated. We didn't know where we belonged or where we fit in. Our mother had to work a lot and my brother and I helped each other with our homework."
     Her other brothers and sisters helped them as well. One brother, German Hernandez "is like a father-figure to me," Hernandez said. He's also her pastor, serving at the Assembly Apostolic Church in Bridgeport.
     Hernandez said she participated in sports and other activities during high school. She was president of Bridgeport’s chapter of National Honor Society and graduated third in her class.
     She was vice president of the senior class, played soccer all four years and was captain her senior year.
     "I chose Wenatchee Valley College because I knew I wanted to go to college but I also wanted to stay close to my mother," Hernandez said. She said she is ecstatic about her choice of schools.
     "I love school so much. I love the college. It's so under-appreciated. There are awesome professors here who love what they do," Hernandez said. "My brothers call me a nerd but I hunger for learning. I enjoy learning new things, there is so much out there."
     Hernandez and her brother live in Omak with their sister and brother-in-law, Enerida and Jaime Meza.
     She is noticing and encouraging greater involvement in college activities by Hispanics.
     "My goal is to see more Hispanics involved in leadership roles on campus," Hernandez said.
     She said she also hopes that after becoming a teacher, she can help Latinos realize they have potential as leaders in their communities.
     WVCO dean Mary Doherty calls Hernandez "an extraordinary young leader. She is capable and sensitive but she's also fun and serious when need be. She sets a high bar as a role model, student leader and as a young Latina who will make a big difference in the world."
     In addition to her school activities, Hernandez works at Taco Time Express inside the Shell service station.
     "Elizabeth has worked here about a year and I don't know how she keeps up with everything in her life," said manager Linda Bird. "She works nearly 40 hours per week and goes to school. She does an excellent job for us and she has a great personality."
     Hernandez said she also enjoys running and reading, having lunch with her friends, drawing, going to movies and hanging out with her family. She also admits to having a "shoe fetish."
     She is carrying a 3.8 grade point average.
     "She has a big role in my life," Elder Hernandez said of his sister. "Growing up, she was like my second mom. She pushed me to go on. I got good grades in high school because she pushed me to. She fights for her goals and she is one big reason why I came to college."
     Editor's note: Elizabeth Hernandez has recently added another activity to her college routine. She is going to write a column about college events for The Chronicle. Look for her news reports in coming weeks.