Tehipite Middle School Principal Marilyn Lopez chats with students Daireli Ortiz Penaloza , far right , and Anyinoelia Hernandez .

He organized the town to fight against an American company trying to infringe on the town ’ s fishing industry . He was able to meet with the Mexican president at that time to keep the fishing locally owned by the people of the town .

“ I was impressed by that , even as a little girl ,” Lopez said .

She is now the principal at Tehipite Middle School and someone who cares deeply for the school ’ s community .

“ I try to lead with passion . Everything is grounded in understanding kids and what they need ,” Lopez said .

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed . Francine Farber , who along with husband Murray Farber founded the Steve ’ s

Scholars scholarship program for Tehipite students , said Lopez has a “ caring spirit .”

“ The public needs to know about the compassion for their students and families that principals , faculty , and staff bring to our schools along with teaching the 3Rs ( reading , rithmatic , writing ). As an example , they should know about the efforts of individuals such as Tehipite Middle School Principal Marilyn Lopez ,” Francine Farber said .

Farber said that when Lopez learned that more than 50 Tehipite families were being evicted from their apartments by a new landlord , she organized a food drive to create Thanksgiving meal boxes and collected nearly $ 1,000 in grocery store gift cards donations .

Lopez immigrated to the United State with her family when she was 9 , arriving with just one large suitcase for the entire family . They lived in the Roosevelt High

FACES : MARYLIN LOPEZ 11