Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in support of Noemi Ponce, county council at-large candidate. I have known Noemi since I was a preschooler at head start and Noemi was the family coordinator and Spanish translator at the school. After all of these years, I have come to call Noemi a close friend and role model. She has inspired me to be more involved in politics in a town that does not yet have any Latino representation in office; in a place where the local leaders do not look like me nor strive to make decisions that positively affect my community.

I recently graduated from Saint Mary’s College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and political science. Noemi has shown me that I can be involved in politics at the local level despite my ethnicity. Noemi has shown the Latinx community that we can and will be represented, that we can have a voice in Kosciusko County. Since knowing Noemi, I have seen her support all of her students. She goes above and beyond and has been there for her students inside and outside of the classroom. She helps students with their academic careers as well as personal struggles. I have seen Noemi help her students with FAFSA applications as well as help her students grieve the loss of a family member.

She’s a teacher, a mother and a friend to all. Noemi Ponce is involved in after-school activities such as the Latino Club at Warsaw Community High School in order to help her students have a safe space and succeed. Noemi comes from humble beginnings and is a product of immigrant parents. I have seen her work hard and obtain her goals despite being a single mother. I have seen her put her community first, her students first and her family above all else.

It has been an incredible experience to be able to witness the positive change Noemi has created in our community just by being the first Mexican-American to run for local office in Kosciusko County. I was very excited to see on social media for the first time that Noemi Ponce was running for a seat in county council. I thought, “Finally, someone who looks like me in a leadership position.” I am hopeful that Noemi will be successful in her campaign. She’s opening the doors for more Latinx and people of color. Noemi is a smart, caring and hardworking woman. Noemi Ponce is the change Kosciusko County needs. She’s the voice we deserve.

I support Noemi Ponce for county council at-large and you should too.

Denisse Mendez
Warsaw