Latina alumna awarded for achievements in community

IU alumna Maria Luz Corona never considered failure to be an option. Holding positions as a secretary in a steel mill, a civil rights intern, a social worker and now a judge for the domestic relations court in Gary, Corona serves as a source of inspiration for Latinos throughout the country. \nSaturday afternoon at the Distinguished Latino Alumni Award luncheon, Corona was honored for excellence in her community, northwest Indiana. The Latino Alumni Association also awarded junior Isabel Estevez a scholarship for her achievements. Estevez is currently studying in Paris, and her mother Magdalena Herdoiza-Estevez accepted the award on her behalf.\nCorona graduated from IU in 1969, and went on to earn a master's degree in social work from the University of Denver in 1973. She returned to IU to earn her doctorate of jurisprudence in 1981. Corona describes herself as a "late bloomer" for her schoolwork, and said if someone wants to further their education, they should do it regardless of their age. \n"I don't know how to inspire people to give back," Corona said. "I only know when I was struggling through school, there weren't any Hispanics to give me anything." She said if students identify with their community, they will give back to it when they get the chance. \nShe emphasized leadership can be effective even if it appears in the background. People behind the scenes working in small ways are leaders, she said.\nAlumnus Danny Simonsohn, a resident of Miami Beach, Fla., served as chairperson of the award's selection committee. \n"We have to recognize the success of our alumni," he said. "We have things in the community that might be overlooked that need to be celebrated."\nSimonsohn said his criteria were based on merit and commitment to the community, especially relative to the Latino community. He wants future and current Latino students to know their efforts will not go unappreciated. \nCorona said she's now in a position to give back to her school and community.\nAlumna Iris Rosa said Corona has been giving back to her community for a long time. Rosa thanked Corona for personally impacting her life. Corona visited Rosa's family in East Chicago, Ind., and showed her the opportunities a college education could provide. When Corona took Rosa for a visit to IU, Rosa liked what she saw and decided to attend. Rosa graduated from IU in 1973.\nShe quoted a song in Spanish that means "give me your hand because I'm falling." Now she is an associate professor in the department of African American and African Diaspora studies. "Thank you, Lucy, for extending your hand," Rosa said.\nHerdoiza-Estevez knows her daughter's award will mean a lot to her family and community. \n"Isabel has received many awards, but this one is so special because it's honoring her heritage and culture," she said. "Through Isabel, this is honoring the community." \nEstevez lived in Ecuador until she was 9 years old, when her family moved to Louisville, Ky. \nHer mother said she has always been intellectually curious, and won spelling bees shortly after learning English. She also speaks Spanish and French, and carries a 3.87 GPA. \n"Not only are we proud, but we are very grateful," Estevez said. "These recognitions help our community to realize its own value and potential, and we appreciate this so much. This award is honoring her culture, a culture that has enriched us and the world"