Santa Maria High School (SMHS) student Cristal Robles-Flores was recently honored with the Champion Award for using her youth leadership skills to selflessly help others—even though she faced personal adversity and socioeconomic hurdles.
Robles-Flores received the recognition during the Youth Impact Awards ceremony at the County Education Office auditorium in Santa Barbara. The KIDS Network’s yearly event spotlights outstanding youth who have had a positive impact within communities throughout the county.
“It’s very heartwarming to give to your community and it makes you feel like there is always a purpose to look forward to,” Robles-Flores said in a statement.
The Saint assisted with the development and implementation of the Teen Closet program, volunteers for Toys for Tots, is a Santa Maria Police Department Police Explorer, and works with the Grief Circulo at the Community Action Commission to help youth affected by violence find solutions.
She also served as the Las Comadres Club President during the 2014-15 school year and ensured it has stayed a reality. Las Comadres is a support group for Latina girls that helps them stay involved in community service projects and other activities. Nearly 40 members perform more than 100 hours of service for their school and community.
The senior, who speaks and translates English, Spanish, and Mixteco, has confidently represented the needs and aspirations of her peers at community forums, to the media, and during public meetings with local and county officials.
Robles-Flores was nominated by SMHS Las Comadres Club Advisors Martha Janzen and Magda Williams, and Community Action Commission members Elsa Prado and Joyce Ruiz.
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 2, 2016.
